www.traindriver.org
Where to Look for Jobs...
Many train driving vacancies will be found on this website on the Train Operators, Depots & Jobs page. I only update once a month though and can't catch everything that is posted so it is a well to do some work yourself...
The obvious places to look are the websites of the Train Operating Companies, many of which have an Employment page. Remember that few Trainee Driver positions are advertised publicly and if they are the adverts are likely only to appear in the local press relating to the depots concerned. They will also attract a large number of responses. So, it's best to approach the companies personnel departments and express an interest first. Most driving jobs you will see advertised in the railway press (Rail is the most likely) are for people who are already qualified drivers. It should be borne mind that there is a semi-official agreement between TOCs not to actively 'poach' qualified drivers off each other. This agreement is not always observed, especially by the freight firms, and even if it was there is nothing to stop individual drivers from themselves applying to transfer to another company when they see an advert. Because of this there may be a degree to which some of the advertisements supposedly for 'Trainee' Drivers are really come-ons for qualified drivers to apply! However, the reverse does not apply; if the ad says 'Qulaified Drivers' it means it.
If no driver's jobs are being advertised at the company you want to work for you could think about applying for a conductor's job with a view to seeking a driving job later. If no Conductors vacancies are immediately available you might consider joining on the refreshment trolleys with some of the regional companies. It might seem a long way from driving trains but it gets you out and about on the trains and gives you a chance to show willing, especially if you are just out of education and perhaps too young for the TOCs to immediately consider for driving. It may even be possible to do this in the summer holidays while still at college. Prove yourself reliable for a few months and you could well be on the next Conductors - even Drivers - course!
If you see a suitable job advertised on a TOC website just follow the instructions to apply. If, as is usually the case, there are no jobs currently advertised, go to the TOC's home page and look for the Contact Us tab. Send them a brief e-mail saying you wish to apply for a job and ask them to send you the postal address of their Personnel Department. Once you have it you can make up your CV as described above and make a speculative application. This can often be a better bet than waiting for jobs to be advertised as once they are advertised publicly there will be so many applications that it is difficult to stand out from the crowd.
The obvious places to look are the websites of the Train Operating Companies, many of which have an Employment page. Remember that few Trainee Driver positions are advertised publicly and if they are the adverts are likely only to appear in the local press relating to the depots concerned. They will also attract a large number of responses. So, it's best to approach the companies personnel departments and express an interest first. Most driving jobs you will see advertised in the railway press (Rail is the most likely) are for people who are already qualified drivers. It should be borne mind that there is a semi-official agreement between TOCs not to actively 'poach' qualified drivers off each other. This agreement is not always observed, especially by the freight firms, and even if it was there is nothing to stop individual drivers from themselves applying to transfer to another company when they see an advert. Because of this there may be a degree to which some of the advertisements supposedly for 'Trainee' Drivers are really come-ons for qualified drivers to apply! However, the reverse does not apply; if the ad says 'Qulaified Drivers' it means it.
If no driver's jobs are being advertised at the company you want to work for you could think about applying for a conductor's job with a view to seeking a driving job later. If no Conductors vacancies are immediately available you might consider joining on the refreshment trolleys with some of the regional companies. It might seem a long way from driving trains but it gets you out and about on the trains and gives you a chance to show willing, especially if you are just out of education and perhaps too young for the TOCs to immediately consider for driving. It may even be possible to do this in the summer holidays while still at college. Prove yourself reliable for a few months and you could well be on the next Conductors - even Drivers - course!
If you see a suitable job advertised on a TOC website just follow the instructions to apply. If, as is usually the case, there are no jobs currently advertised, go to the TOC's home page and look for the Contact Us tab. Send them a brief e-mail saying you wish to apply for a job and ask them to send you the postal address of their Personnel Department. Once you have it you can make up your CV as described above and make a speculative application. This can often be a better bet than waiting for jobs to be advertised as once they are advertised publicly there will be so many applications that it is difficult to stand out from the crowd.
