Avanti West Coast recruiting QUALIFIED DRIVER TALENT POOL ONLY at London Euston, Liverpool, Manchester, and Wolverhampton depots. (Posted 1/2-09-2020)

[TTDARL]

As above Avanti west coast high speed TOC recruiting for qualified drivers talent pools only at Euston, Manchester, Wolverhampton, and Liverpool depots only.

London Euston depot advert closes 15/09/2020. Advert for the other three depots mentioned closes 16/09/2020. FYI.

 

[matthew123]

It says the following “There is no restriction on eligibility for applications except that Drivers may not apply until they have completed their probationary period.”

does that mean PQA drivers? Or just literally the company probation period

 

[choochoochoo]

It'll mean PQA. Very rare for recruiting TOCs to touch PQA drivers.

 

[baz962]

It'll mean PQA. Very rare for recruiting TOCs to touch PQA drivers.

Lner and EMR do .

 

[choochoochoo]

Oh I thought LNER had a minimum number of years experience required for their qualified positions, which restricted and PQAs from applying.

 

[baz962]

Oh I thought LNER had a minimum number of years experience required for their qualified positions, which restricted and PQAs from applying.

One of my colleagues is starting in November and he passed out after me . My two years is up in November.

 

[rail-god]

It'll mean PQA. Very rare for recruiting TOCs to touch PQA drivers.

Cross-country only require 18 months driving experience.

 

[TTDARL]

EMR is 18 months driving experience post final pass out assessment

 

[8J]

TPE don't require drivers to be out of PQA. WMT require 12 months minimum but it is quite rare that they'll touch anyone with less than 18 months.

One assumes that this recruitment drive comes to coincide with the new 80x fleet introduction and some retirements at the relevant depots.

 

[Patters1983]

I am currently working for a metro TOC and have been driving since 2017(passed)
Is Avanti a good company to work for?
I am also in a fortunate position where I have sold my flat so can pretty much relocate anywhere so would be worth me committing myself to move if I am lucky enough to be selected? I know it is a talent pool.
just wanted to know the experiences from other drivers that have made the jump from a metro TOC to something a lot different like Avanti...?
Thanks in advance

 

[43066]

It'll mean PQA. Very rare for recruiting TOCs to touch PQA drivers.

That’s not the case.

Remember that some TOCs have “PQA” periods as long as three years. TOCs regularly recruit people at this experience level and below.

 

[tiptoptaff]

That’s not the case.

Remember that some TOCs have “PQA” periods as long as three years. TOCs regularly recruit people at this experience level and below.

Indeed - For PQA1 drivers its rare, mainly due to being light on experience. But it's not unheard of. Can't imagine it'll happen here though, I doubt they'll be short of experienced applicants from Northern drivers in Scouseland and Manchester

 

[choochoochoo]

I stand corrected

 

[8J]

Indeed - For PQA1 drivers its rare, mainly due to being light on experience. But it's not unheard of. Can't imagine it'll happen here though, I doubt they'll be short of experienced applicants from Northern drivers in Scouseland and Manchester

Don't forget you've also got TPE + XC who also have depots in Manchester and in Liverpool, you have TPE + Merseyrail and possibly some TfW drivers who will apply.

Don't anyone be fooled - competition for these positions will be very high.

 

[Evolution]

You also get qualified drivers from FOCs applying to these positions. As 8J said there will be plenty of competition, although I can’t see many leaving TPE or XC to go to Avanti, it’s hardly a “step up”.

 

[TTDARL]

They are always inundated with these adverts. They can pick and choose. Back in the Virgin days last year they apparently wouldn’t take anyone with any safety of the line incidents etc. The managers have lots of contacts all over the place so can check up on the problem drivers etcetc to make sure they are not likely to inherit drama and grief lol

 

[Railwayman101]

I'm very dubious about this.

I went through the process sometime in 2019 and was successful at interview. And then I was left in the talent pool until it expired. So now I have to reapply.

 

[TTDARL]

I'm very dubious about this.

I went through the process sometime in 2019 and was successful at interview. And then I was left in the talent pool until it expired. So now I have to reapply.

Have you tried making Avanti west coast HR contact and seeing if this is definitely the case? You passed the recruitment process, not that long ago in the grand scheme of things. Never know, they might just want you to update any sickness, safety incidents, lateness for work, fitness to work, restricted from driving time details etcetc. Especially baring in mind the current situation.

 

[marty1977]

I'm very dubious about this.

I went through the process sometime in 2019 and was successful at interview. And then I was left in the talent pool until it expired. So now I have to reapply.

Thats just the way it is for talent pools. Virgin and now Avanti know they will get the applications and that people like yourself will sit in a talent pool just in case they need someone to fill a vacancy. They also know that those same people will reapply when they need them to. For some reason people view it as the pinnacle of train driving and will jump through all the hoops when Avanti want them to.

 

[TTDARL]

I'm very dubious about this.

I went through the process sometime in 2019 and was successful at interview. And then I was left in the talent pool until it expired. So now I have to reapply.

They have also announced as part of the franchise change new traction, more trains per hour frequency, later and earlier services etc so it’s more likely that they could need you. The pandemic has obviously halted / slowed many of their plans hence why you may not have had the call in time.

 

[Railwayman101]

Have you tried making Avanti west coast HR contact and seeing if this is definitely the case? You passed the recruitment process, not that long ago in the grand scheme of things. Never know, they might just want you to update any sickness, safety incidents, lateness for work, fitness to work, restricted from driving time details etcetc. Especially baring in mind the current situation.

Yes I spoke to HR directly and they said that unfortunately they needed 4 people, and I was 5th in the pool. Better luck next time

 

[TTDARL]

Yes I spoke to HR directly and they said that unfortunately they needed 4 people, and I was 5th in the pool. Better luck next time

But I mean have you spoken to them since these latest sept 2020 adverts have been published? Obvs things are changing with recruitment processes, training etcetc because of the pandemic. So they could potentially be flexible with things if you ask them. I know LNER did phone interviews instead of in person and no group assessments in their latest recruitment for qualified drivers due to social distancing and covid etc.

 

[43066]

Yes I spoke to HR directly and they said that unfortunately they needed 4 people, and I was 5th in the pool. Better luck next time

Surely you’ll be straight back to the top of the pile if you apply again, having got that far through the process last time.

 

[marty1977]

Surely you’ll be straight back to the top of the pile if you apply again, having got that far through the process last time.

Not sure that is how it works, if more people apply this time round and they find higher scoring/more suitable candidates then they move to the top of the list.

 

[Railwayman101]

Not sure that is how it works, if more people apply this time round and they find higher scoring/more suitable candidates then they move to the top of the list.

For me it's all academic anyway as I have been told I need to reapply.

 

[marty1977]

For me it's all academic anyway as I have been told I need to reapply.

Good luck to you, hopefully it goes your way.

 

[OneThirtyEight]

Anyone know what the interview process entails with Avanti?

 

[Railwayman101]

Anyone know what the interview process entails with Avanti?

Rules test, group interview and then a face to face

 

[delticdobs]

You also get qualified drivers from FOCs applying to these positions. As 8J said there will be plenty of competition, although I can’t see many leaving TPE or XC to go to Avanti, it’s hardly a “step up”.

some may think it is..certainly with regards the salary gap between TPE and Avanti..plus Avanti will be running HS2.

 

[8J]

TPE drivers have moved on to Avanti but similarly I know Avanti drivers who have moved to West Mids Trains.

There's a fine balance between having a high basic salary and good terms & conditions.