https://firstgroup.hua.hrsmart.com/ats/js_job_details.php?reqid=8482 great chance to get on the mainline! Good luck
Nothing in there about the chance for mainline driving.
I don't see this job getting the usual 1000's of apps. I mean its been advertised a while and there was nothing at all on the forums. As far as I know it's basically a depot driver then a chance of mainline after 18months productive.
The depot driver v Mainline has been debated to death. But I think you make a good point that it won't get the volume of applicants, in comparison to the mainline roles.
I think with these roles the TOCs are more or less going to have to say there's a chance to go mainline as the assessments are the same, particularly as there are vacancies advertised regularly for trainee mainline drivers.
Blimey you are making huge assumptions there! Like I've said before if you are only willing to go in for a trainee mainline driver you are severely restricting your chances. How many people on the other thread have been told thanks but no thanks currently. How do you know that a load of the depot drivers at Paddington haven't been given those mainline positions?
When does this start, two thousand and never? Please apply to Billy Smart @ first group, lol.
My assumption is that in having to meet the same assessment standard, trainee mainline driver is more attractive, from the outside, than trainee depot driver. You could commit to this role (if successful) only to see more trainee driver roles advertised which you would already meet the assessment criteria for - hence fewer applicants for MDD. I'm also assuming that the TOC needs x number of MDD's all of the time, it seems to me they would be better off having the depot role as the starting link with progression from there.
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I guess you have had a bad experience with First Group somewhere along the line ?
What is the salary for this position? I personally would prefer an onboard role (conductor/guard) as a stepping stone to the main line driving position.
Works ok with my company, about 50% of trainee drivers are taken from current guards and they perform better during initial driver training due to their understanding of how the company works and their route and rules knowledge.
Plus if a guards route knowledge is so good why are they not classed as a competent person if the AWS is isolated???
Having good route knowledge as a guard does not automatically mean you have the same standard of route knowledge required to sign off a route as a driver would.