Scotrail Trainee Drivers (Ongoing)

[Mouse1903]

Worst case if you fluff it up you can try again in 6 months and you will be even better prepared

 

[barko26]

Hi,
First time poster, I've been watching and reading from the sidelines so far since I applied for the role of trainee train driver. I have so many questions!
Currently going through the recruitment process and have my first interview on the 21st march, very apprehensive about it. Any pointers/clues gratefully accepted!

From reading other people's experiences on here there seems to be quite a variance in the process itself. My application has progressed fairly quickly since my initial application at the end of 2023, other applicants are waiting for considerable periods between each stage.

What is the dress code for the interview? I am intending to wear a shirt and tie.

I'm reading and studying as much as I can about Scotrail but there is so much to learn, fingers crossed I can remember some useful information on the day.

Cheers,

Jim.

Suit if possible, but Shirt and Tie would suffice (First Impressions count). As well as the ‘normal’ interview prep, do as much research on Scotrail as a whole, and also the depot you are applying for. Things like Routes, Tractions. Pay a visit to the depot and try talk to some drivers and ask them questions, even A DTM if possible. It will score brownie points for sure.

 

[Batz47082]

Oh well, not successful this time.

 

[henke7]

Oh well, not successful this time.

Sorry to hear that, I was unsuccessful at the interview stage in 2021, just got to dust yourself down and go again.

 

[Batz47082]

Sorry to hear that, I was unsuccessful at the interview stage in 2021, just got to dust yourself down and go again.

Thanks MT.

Gutted at the moment, but as you say, I will just have to regroup and go again when the chance comes along.

 

[Babbit1984]

Hi everyone,

I've got my DMI on 28th and was wondering if those who have already gone through it are able to DM me to give me some direction and pointers?

Thanks

 

[John Bishop]

Hi everyone,

I've got my DMI on 28th and was wondering if those who have already gone through it are able to DM me to give me some direction and pointers?

Thanks

Rather than being spoon fed, just have a look through this thread and you will find everything you need to know about it.

 

[Clearprop40]

Hi everyone,

I've got my DMI on 28th and was wondering if those who have already gone through it are able to DM me to give me some direction and pointers?

Thanks

Hi Babbit,
I sat and passed my DMI on Tuesday. It's formal but very civil. There isn't any trick questions. They are looking for key competencies and if you have them you will be able to answer the questions with ease. Research the role of a driver and I suggest you phone up one of the stations and arrange to speak to a DTM. I done this and gleaned a wealth of knowledge. My biggest advice is remember it's a safety critical role that's customer centric and a good proportion of the questions are couched around they topics. Dress smartly, arrive a bit earlier than your intended interview time to gather your thoughts before heading in. Lastly on a personal note I was much more worried about stage 1 testing than being interviewed. I felt I'd done my research and left no stone unturned and had the requisite cross over skills from my previous career.
Best of luck
Regards
CP

 

[Mrs Chauffeur]

Hi Babbit,
I sat and passed my DMI on Tuesday. It's formal but very civil. There isn't any trick questions. They are looking for key competencies and if you have them you will be able to answer the questions with ease. Research the role of a driver and I suggest you phone up one of the stations and arrange to speak to a DTM. I done this and gleaned a wealth of knowledge. My biggest advice is remember it's a safety critical role that's customer centric and a good proportion of the questions are couched around they topics. Dress smartly, arrive a bit earlier than your intended interview time to gather your thoughts before heading in. Lastly on a personal note I was much more worried about stage 1 testing than being interviewed. I felt I'd done my research and left no stone unturned and had the requisite cross over skills from my previous career.
Best of luck
Regards
CP

Hi CP,

When did you find out that you passed your DMI? What depot was this for?

Many thanks.

 

[Mouse1903]

Hey guys, I never got past the DMI despite putting in a lot of effort. There were a few questions that caught me out even though I'd prepared over 70 different answers. I don't think they liked some of my answers. Gutted as I spent lots of hours preparing

 

[Babbit1984]

Hi Babbit,
I sat and passed my DMI on Tuesday. It's formal but very civil. There isn't any trick questions. They are looking for key competencies and if you have them you will be able to answer the questions with ease. Research the role of a driver and I suggest you phone up one of the stations and arrange to speak to a DTM. I done this and gleaned a wealth of knowledge. My biggest advice is remember it's a safety critical role that's customer centric and a good proportion of the questions are couched around they topics. Dress smartly, arrive a bit earlier than your intended interview time to gather your thoughts before heading in. Lastly on a personal note I was much more worried about stage 1 testing than being interviewed. I felt I'd done my research and left no stone unturned and had the requisite cross over skills from my previous career.
Best of luck
Regards
CP

Hi Clearprop40

Thanks very much for the heads-up. Sounds exactly like what I was expecting and what I've been preparing myself for. I hope everything goes your way and you pass!

Rather than being spoon fed, just have a look through this thread and you will find everything you need to know about it.

Hi John,

Thanks very much for the advice. That's exactly what I've done, so good to hear I'm doing the right things and on the right track.

Cheers

 

[Clearprop40]

Hi CP,

When did you find out that you passed your DMI? What depot was this for?

Many thanks.

Sat the DMI on Tuesday got word on Friday I was successful. I was interviewed @ Yoker but it wasn't specifically for that depot. My preference would be Central but not too bothered where I land.
Regards
Kev

 

[ODM28981]

Hi folks,

Deviating from the driving role slightly but I have a question in relation to the conductor process. In the online application it specifically asks for experience with a certain competency (e.g. complaint handling) where the applicant has to select either yes or no. There is a box afterwards for more detail - am I correct by thinking this is where I'd give a specific example following the STAR format or is it asking for the applicant to expand and give a general overview of their experiences?

Thanks.

 

[Del 2804]

Anyone else just went through the medical and had a conditional offer?

 

[AlexwhiteGCK]

Hello,

I hope you are all well.

I have recently applied for the Trainee Train Driver position and selected the Stirling depot. I was just wondering if anyone else had applied for Stirling and had any updates on their application?

Mine is currently “under consideration” and has been since the closing date. Just looking to see if I can still keep my hopes up! Any reply, would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Alex

 

[henke7]

Hello,

I hope you are all well.

I have recently applied for the Trainee Train Driver position and selected the Stirling depot. I was just wondering if anyone else had applied for Stirling and had any updates on their application?

Mine is currently “under consideration” and has been since the closing date. Just looking to see if I can still keep my hopes up! Any reply, would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Alex

There has been a few applicants on here who have been to the assessment centre and even passed their DMI. My application is currently sitting ‘submitted’ unfortunately there’s no timeframe of when you will hear something or if you ever will.

 

[M8r56gh]

Hello,
I hope you all are fine. Recently I have been invited for Depot Driver/shunter assessment within in ScotRail.
I would greatly welcome any suggestions on practice material or link.
Got the pdf from ScotRail not very clear

 

[LoogaBarooga]

Whilst this thread has been bumped, has anyone been for stage 2 of the driver assessments?

 

[Train Newbie]

Hi, first time posting.
I am currently going through the application process to become a Train Driver for ScotRail.
I am currently a firefighter so my shift pattern is very straightforward and allows me to spend a lot of time with my young family.
Can anyone tell me what the shifts pattern is like for main depots at ScotRail? Also if there are any drivers with young families, could you please comment on how family friendly the shift work is?

 

[Bohdi2020]

You won't get family friendly. You are applying to do the job and the shifts

 

[barko26]

Typically it’ll be a week of earlies, then a week of lates, with a few lines of mid shifts thrown in here and there. Some depots also have Nightshift work. Earliest start / latest finish (depot dependant) will be around 0330 / 0130.

Rest day pattern usually follows a 3 week rotation.
Week 1 RD Mon Tues
Week 2 RD Wed Thurs
Week 3 RD Fri Sat.

It makes for a 5 day long Weekend ever 3 weeks. You will be rostered to work Sundays but not on your
Long weekend.

 

[LoogaBarooga]

You won't get family friendly. You are applying to do the job and the shifts

He didn't say he wanted family friendly tbf.

 

[kickin aff]

Sunday roughly works out one in every 4 or 5 weeks and is overtime. However you can make yourself unavailable to work them. I have not worked a Sunday since the emergency timetable finished as I made myself permanently unavailable.

 

[357]

You won't get family friendly. You are applying to do the job and the shifts

The poster did not say he wanted any form of family friendly provisions?

 

[LoogaBarooga]

I'm a conductor so I work the same shift pattern. I've got two young kids and the shifts are great, I feel like I get to spend loads of time with them.

 

[Train Newbie]

Thanks everyone for your replies, it’s been really helpful. I wasn’t looking for special treatment, just wanted to gauge how other parents found the shift system with regards to spending time with their young ones. Good information provided, will defo use the forum again in future.
Thanks again.

 

[LoogaBarooga]

Which depot are you in for? How far along in the process are you?

 

[Train Newbie]

Which depot are you in for? How far along in the process are you?

I’m only at application stage. I live in Kilmarnock so I’m in for any depot that’s within 45 minutes from my home so somewhere like Ayr or Glasgow.

 

[Clearprop40]

Whilst this thread has been bumped, has anyone been for stage 2 of the driver assessments?

Yes been for stage 2 on Thursday. Passed and was offered the job on Friday with my medical this coming Wednesday.
Regards
Kev

 

[LoogaBarooga]

Which depot?