Trainee train drivers wanted...

Trainee train drivers wanted...

Author
Discussion

Bairn

102 posts

148 months

Thursday 7th December 2023
quotequote all
bit of a long shot here - but I see Scotrail are hiring for skilled engineering team members for haymarket depot...

Something that interests me, but not sure if it would be right.

Does anyone work for Scotrail in this position and would be willing to chat about it?

If so , PM me , would like to talk through the pro's/cons of the job and understnad if it would be something that I could transfer across too.
I currently work in Engineering (oil & gas)

QuickQuack

2,264 posts

102 months

Thursday 16th May
quotequote all
I saw this article on BBC news which made me think of this thread...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz747krrw9lo

If all you lot were so keen, how come there's a shortage?

43034

2,966 posts

169 months

Thursday 16th May
quotequote all
QuickQuack said:
I saw this article on BBC news which made me think of this thread...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz747krrw9lo

If all you lot were so keen, how come there's a shortage?
Theres 0000s of applicants per vacancy. The trouble is further a long the line, a bottle neck with lack of trainers (both staff and actual locations) and then a lack of mentor drivers (to teach you after you have learnt in the class room)

Plus, i'd argue that the perceived shortage is because TOCs are set up to run the service on Rest Day Work, rather than filling the links with the correct number of drivers. Hence when there is an O/T ban, it is fking chaos.

Pebbles167

3,498 posts

153 months

Thursday 16th May
quotequote all
They need to bin off the psychometric test, or review it at the very least. It's not really fit for purpose (assuming that purpose is finding suitable applicants and not just thinning down the numbers) and only being allowed to take it twice is stupid.

valiant

10,382 posts

161 months

Thursday 16th May
quotequote all
Pebbles167 said:
They need to bin off the psychometric test, or review it at the very least. It's not really fit for purpose (assuming that purpose is finding suitable applicants and not just thinning down the numbers) and only being allowed to take it twice is stupid.
Not sure that dumbing down the tests (if that’s the correct term) is the issue. There are more than enough applicants that you’ll get the number of suitable trainees required soon enough.

The main issue is that the whole recruitment process takes far, far too long and that’s only to get onto a talent pool where you can then wait even longer! From application to a job offer can easily take a year and it seems that no train company is immune and even those not under RDG control like the various TfL operators can take a stupidly long amount of time.

I get that there are thousands of applicants per campaign but there’s got to be a way of streamlining the process where once your successful with your initial application then it’s should only be a few months to job acceptance and a training date offered.




Pebbles167

3,498 posts

153 months

Friday 17th May
quotequote all
valiant said:
Not sure that dumbing down the tests (if that’s the correct term) is the issue. There are more than enough applicants that you’ll get the number of suitable trainees required soon enough.

The main issue is that the whole recruitment process takes far, far too long and that’s only to get onto a talent pool where you can then wait even longer! From application to a job offer can easily take a year and it seems that no train company is immune and even those not under RDG control like the various TfL operators can take a stupidly long amount of time.

I get that there are thousands of applicants per campaign but there’s got to be a way of streamlining the process where once your successful with your initial application then it’s should only be a few months to job acceptance and a training date offered.
A fair point, well made.

Stedman

7,229 posts

193 months

Friday 17th May
quotequote all
It can be 3 years between a Driver retiring and another fully filling their boots.

Bin off the psychometric test all you want however, it would need to be replaced with something suitable IMO.

Chicken Chaser

7,864 posts

225 months

Friday 17th May
quotequote all
It was 6 months from application to employment for me. I don't think that's unreasonable. I also think the process avoids the issue of nepotism as all applicants have to go through selection process. It's only after that where there could be any suggestions of it with the final interview.

BigGingerBob

1,710 posts

191 months

It's been a full year for me since applying and I am waiting for an invite to complete my assessments at the assessment centre.
It's a very long process! A bit frustrating but I'm sticking it out because it would be a dream job for me.

Pebbles167

3,498 posts

153 months

It doesn't need to be this way, with freight you'll usually be in and driving within six months from getting the job offer.

monkfish1

11,156 posts

225 months

BigGingerBob said:
It's been a full year for me since applying and I am waiting for an invite to complete my assessments at the assessment centre.
It's a very long process! A bit frustrating but I'm sticking it out because it would be a dream job for me.
And therin lies the upside of long periods between application and success. Those who stick with it, are likely to be that bit more serious about wanting the job.