What job(s) did you do before becoming a driver?

[Ally2900]

Hey Everyone

I posted a thread a while back about my interest in becoming a train driver. I still want to pursue this because after a lot of thought, I do think this type of job would suit me. The problem I have is, I don't really have much experience in other jobs that are going to help me. I'm a qualified primary teacher but haven't done much classroom teaching. I've spent the majority of 30's in an online teaching job which is flexible because I'm a single parent. I've tried to look around to find conductor roles but can't seem to find any. My nearest depot is Shrewsbury.

What jobs helped you to secure a job as a driver? - And what jobs did you have before applying? TIA.

 

[BigPondFish]

I spent a good few years as a manager in a Tesco warehouse, so the safety side of things was very important in this role. My current job is actually a grave digger for the council and this also helps as I am dealing with public on a daily basis.

 

[Sonkicks]

A lot of jobs you can relate in some ways to a driver job, just have to think safety, risk asses, patients and long working periods alone.

 

[12LDA28C]

People from armed forces / safety / emergency services often seem to have an advantage due to having experience of working shifts and weekends, adhering to policies and procedures, being subject to strict safety guidelines and communications protocols as well as potentially working alone and concentrating for long periods.

That's not to say that other industries and disciplines don't have elements that feature transferable skills into the train driving role.

I spent a good few years as a manager in a Tesco warehouse, so the safety side of things was very important in this role. My current job is actually a grave digger for the council and this also helps as I am dealing with public on a daily basis.

Drivers don't generally deal with the public very much, particularly on routes where a guard or OBS are on the train although good communication skills are important for a driver.

Hey Everyone

I posted a thread a while back about my interest in becoming a train driver. I still want to pursue this because after a lot of thought, I do think this type of job would suit me.

What attracts you to the role and why do you think it would suit you, specifically?

 

[Ally2900]

I'm quite a big introvert, and really enjoy spending time alone. That's not to say that I'm anti-social and do like meeting new people, but want a profession where I'm left to my own devices to do my job. I love to travel and have always had a bit of a fascination with airports, train stations etc. Shifts wouldn't bother me, and obviously the pay is attractive...but it's more about the job satisfaction and doing something that I know I'm going to be happy doing for the next 30 years or so.

 

[12LDA28C]

I'm quite a big introvert, and really enjoy spending time alone. That's not to say that I'm anti-social and do like meeting new people, but want a profession where I'm left to my own devices to do my job. I love to travel and have always had a bit of a fascination with airports, train stations etc. Shifts wouldn't bother me, and obviously the pay is attractive...but it's more about the job satisfaction and doing something that I know I'm going to be happy doing for the next 30 years or so.

It's easy to say shifts wouldn't bother you but unless you've actually done them it's hard to say if you'll find them a struggle or not, bearing in mind you could be starting work at 0400 one week then 1800 the next and 2300 the next, especially if you're nearing your 40s. Best thing to do is apply for a trainee role when you see a vacancy advertised and see how you get on. Remember there could be several hundred applicants for every one vacancy and the selection process is tricky.

 

[Ally2900]

Fair point. That's why I'm trying my best to get a job and get some shift work to strengthen my application and experience. I want to apply in about a year or so when my child is a bit older and more independent. I really want to feel that I've got a good shot at it the first time around, rather than waiting another six months - a year to reapply.

Is the railway ageist? I've just turned 38.

 

[SJN]

Fair point. That's why I'm trying my best to get a job and get some shift work to strengthen my application and experience. I want to apply in about a year or so when my child is a bit older and more independent. I really want to feel that I've got a good shot at it the first time around, rather than waiting another six months - a year to reapply.

Is the railway ageist? I've just turned 38.

I started as a trainee driver at 50 so you’ll be fine. Before that I was a conductor but previous jobs were banking and running pubs.

 

[LoogaBarooga]

Fair point. That's why I'm trying my best to get a job and get some shift work to strengthen my application and experience. I want to apply in about a year or so when my child is a bit older and more independent. I really want to feel that I've got a good shot at it the first time around, rather than waiting another six months - a year to reapply.

Is the railway ageist? I've just turned 38.

It quite often takes a few attempts to get anywhere near the job tbh so I'd be prepared for that if I were you bud.

 

[TheRedRattler]

I started as a trainee driver at 50 so you’ll be fine. Before that I was a conductor but previous jobs were banking and running pubs.

I love this! Great insight

 

[SJN]

I love this! Great insight

I was just replying to the bit about the railway being ageist, to reassure that this isn’t the case. I can’t really say any more that hasn’t already been said regarding the shifts etc.

 

[12LDA28C]

Is the railway ageist? I've just turned 38.

Not at all ageist. My point was that it gets harder to deal with the effects of shiftwork as you get older. Easy in your 20s, more difficult in your 50s. Night shifts are known to shorten your life expectancy also, although they do allow a certain freedom of how you spend your time during the day.

 

[Jimbo12345]

Police. Huge numbers of ex emergency services on the railways these days

 

[16.19]

Commercial printer

Is the railway ageist? I've just turned 38.

I had a trainee last year who was 55 and he qualified

 

[driver9000]

I was a bus driver from 18 until I got a trainee driver job aged 23. People come into the role from all walks of life so don't let that put you off, a guy on my course came from a call centre!

 

[Ally2900]

Thanks for your replies everyone!

When I apply, I really do want the best chance first time around, and to know i've done everything i can to show them that I tick a few boxes that they're looking for. There's not many jobs where I am to work in a warehouse or factory etc, plus I've been self-employed for so long i'm short on references etc. I'm thinking of doing some volunteer work experience as I have seen some good posts for things such as 'Emergency Response Volunteer' with the Red Cross. Do you think volunteer experience would count?

 

[16.19]

Thanks for your replies everyone!

When I apply, I really do want the best chance first time around, and to know i've done everything i can to show them that I tick a few boxes that they're looking for. There's not many jobs where I am to work in a warehouse or factory etc, plus I've been self-employed for so long i'm short on references etc. I'm thinking of doing some volunteer work experience as I have seen some good posts for things such as 'Emergency Response Volunteer' with the Red Cross. Do you think volunteer experience would count?

Anything that can show elements of:

Heath and safety
Communication
Shift working
Working alone & working with others
Working in potentially stressful, challenging and changing environments
Trustworthiness
Maturity
Ability to learn and withhold large amounts of information
Working towards and supporting rules & regulations
The application of professional None-technical-skills

Stuff like that should help

 

[tallpaul82]

Police Officer just qualified and aged 41.

 

[Efini92]

I started as a trainee driver at 50 so you’ll be fine. Before that I was a conductor but previous jobs were banking and running pubs.

I’d never have put you down as over 50

 

[BTU]

I'm quite a big introvert, and really enjoy spending time alone. That's not to say that I'm anti-social and do like meeting new people, but want a profession where I'm left to my own devices to do my job. I love to travel and have always had a bit of a fascination with airports, train stations etc. Shifts wouldn't bother me, and obviously the pay is attractive...but it's more about the job satisfaction and doing something that I know I'm going to be happy doing for the next 30 years or so.

Get back to me in a few years time when you have been doing the job a while and see how you feel then.Shift work is very tiring and takes it out of you especially the older you get plus the monotony of the job can grind you down, it's not at all like an Edith Nesbit book all flowery platforms and welcome smiles and kids waving at you while some do other hurl bricks at you.
I also like airports and railways but only when im using them to go somewhere preferably abroad.

 

[Aviator88]

I was a pilot, warehouse operative/trade counter worker/forklift driver, sales rep, door to door salesman, HGV driver and now fuel tanker driver. Currently sat in a talent bank.

One thing the railway definitely isn't is ageist! Best of luck to you, you can do it

 

[SJN]

I’d never have put you down as over 50

Well I definitely feel it after a week of 3am starts lol.

 

[BobCratchit]

Air traffic controller for 23 years, always wanted to drive trains and now in my mid 40’s find myself sat in the talent pool playing the waiting game! I’d strongly agree the railways don’t seem to be ageist, in fact they seem to like a bit of experience from what I can gather!

 

[SteveL9]

I got the chance to take the psychometrics and have only ever done office based jobs, except from a few retail/warehouse jobs while I was studying. It’s about whether you can show them you’ve got the attributes the railways needs.

All walks of life were at the assessment day I attended, a conductor, a driving instructor, call centre worker etc.

 

[75A]

I was a track worker (platelayer) when I went on the footplate (secondman) aged 19.
Nights are interesting because starting @ 00:01 is very different to starting around 4am, 00:01 meant you were back in bed by 8, up again in the afternoon, stay up and go to work again. Starting @4 ish I'd go to bed in the early evening and get up @ 3 or so.
The other thing with nights is, when shifts change or you work a rota day your head gets confused!