Things that can help you to become a driver - Vic Passenger

vlocity160 · V/Gunzel Joined: May 03, 2006 Last Visited: Jan 8, 2009

G'day all,

Currently I am in year 10 going into year 11 for the year 2009. I have been told that I need the the following to even be considered for a drivers position nower days:

I would like to know what else could I get that could possibly better my chances of being employed by a railway company such as Connex(As V/Line don't do traineeships Sad

). Should I do a rail safety/safeworking courses, first aid courses etc?

Also is doing something like this a beneficiary?

Many thanks for the assistance! Smile

Regards,
Matt

SteamtoStay · Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 1:05 am

Question - who told you that year 12 is neccesary? Legally the requirement is Year 11, it's just a lump of gold on the scales if you finish year 12.

First Aid course is a good idea anyway.

Note that you will need to complete Certificate I before attempting Certificate II. Puffing Billy ran a program recently, which I participated in, called "Rail Pathways". It finished a while ago, pending further funding from Ruddy. But I got my Cert I out of it. Apparently next time it runs, the units will be focused on Signalling/Safeworking and then Timetabling/Scheduling.

Also, PBR is going to run a safeworking course soon (separate from the Cert systems), presumably starting in about a month. Try to contact John Morice, as he's supposed to be arranging it. I think you'll need to be a member of 'Puff in order to do the course...

Talk to your careers advisors when you go back to school, and ask them to arrange Work Experience at Connex. I did, and got dumped in administration under the Flinders Street dome (which wasn't that bad, really). But, I managed to:
a) get a few good contacts, to get the upper hand come employment time
b) I got to do site tours and stuff like that - it was so tempting to drop an M&M off the top of the Flinders Street clocktower! Twisted Evil

BTW, there are many more positions within the rail industry, than just driving choochoos all day.

For example, Signallers get paid around $55k p.a., maybe $80k as a metropolitain area controller, i.e. Camberwell or Sunshine, and currently $98k p.a. to work in Metrol.

Other options include timetabling (train graphs, writing circulars), station staffing, admin, maintenance, and so on. But aside from timetables and admin, the majority of these positions are shift work.

Happy Chanukah!

David S.
*Vice President, Smart Passengers Inc
(My opinions are my own unless specifically stated.)
*Holder of Cert I, Transport & Logistics
*Bogie Winner 2008 - "Best Contribution to Signalling and Infrastructure"
*Youngest person in 20 years to author four Connex Circulars
*Youngest person ever to sit at the control desk in METROL (I think)

My photos

vlocity160 · V/Gunzel Joined: May 03, 2006 Last Visited: Jan 8, 2009

SteamtoStay · Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 2:22 pm

train_lover01 · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 8:44 pm

Matt,

I can probably get you some work experience at EDI if you want, I believe they are looking at putting on some more apprentices soon. A foot in the door on the maintenance side of things can lead to driving.

Anyways, PM me if your interested.

Chris

alstom_888m · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 10:55 pm

What TAFE etc offer the Cert 1/2 in Rail Ops?

I'm looking at a railway job for 2009 if I can find any. Good excuse to move home.

Reliable, Economical, Safe, By Rail.

Away for Summer. Won't be on RP.

SteamtoStay · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 11:32 pm

574M · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 1:49 am

KRviator · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 6:55 am

PhilA71 · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 12:58 pm

One word of advice i will give young aspiring loco drivers is: experience and enjoy life a bit before you get tied down to driving trains, as your social life and what really makes you happy takes a serious beating. As a young bloke its hard to comprehend the ad hoc lifestyle.TRUST ME!!!

I'm not knocking your aspirartions because i was in exactly the same situation as you guys. The reason being is becuase im only 20 and not far from getting my ticket. I got so caught up in wanting to become a loco driver as it was the only thing i wanted to do. Now I've been doing it, aint as good as what it appears, from gunzel perspective.

Say for instance this weekend you want to go on a road trip with your mates Phillip Island. But the only job you have showing on your roster is a Dimboola rest on saturday and come back sunday. Every otherday all u have is question marks.You cant make any plans during the week incase u get called in.The only time u want to go out and have fun u have to work. Freight rosters are adhoc and spontaneous no matter who or where you work. Now after you been on the track to dimi once thats enough, its flat and boring. Yeah its great money but I can tell you what id rather be doing having a good time with the mates nd girlfriend enjoying the things in life money cant buy.

I do like driving trains but, its very hard to have a balanced lifestyle work,rest and play. There are more jobs in the rail industry than driving that pay well and allow you to have a life away from the job. Your only young once so enjoy yourselves this job aint goining anywhere anytime soon, there only going to need more and more drivers in the future.

vlocity160 · V/Gunzel Joined: May 03, 2006 Last Visited: Jan 8, 2009

Thanks for that guys greatly appreciate it! Smile

Regards,
Matt

witsend · Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 7:30 pm

If you are looking sparks, the link for Connex Melbourne Trainee Drivers has been activated. You can now apply at http://www.careerfocus.com.au/connexmelbourne

davern69 · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 1:28 pm

To be accepted into the initial driver training course, we require a minimum of year 11 and no criminal record. Candidates must be medically fit and are required to pass a drug test. Applicants are also required to be a minimum of 19.5 years old, as they cannot legally drive a train until they have computed 21 years. Computer skills are an asset, experience with heavy machinery is an advantage and an appreciation for electrical/mechanical equipment is considered favourable.

Thats from Connex's Word

skidsteer · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 5:15 pm

BJ Titsengolf · Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 6:05 pm