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Metro Trains Melbourne drivers

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      heisdeadjim Chief Commissioner

    http://www.metrotrains.com.au/About-us/Careers/Rail-careers.html

    Not now but as of 6pm Melbourne time, today Friday 28 January 2011, according to the staff newsletter, the call for Trainee Drivers will go out on the above link.
    Posted: 28 Jan 2011 17:25

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      dood Locomotive Driver

    http://www.metrotrains.com.au/About-us/Careers/Rail-careers.html

    Not now but as of 6pm Melbourne time, today Friday 28 January 2011, according to the staff newsletter, the call for Trainee Drivers will go out on the above link.
    "heisdeadjim"


    yep just looked its there now
    Posted: 28 Jan 2011 21:49
      msilsby Deputy Commissioner

    Location: Canberra
    *sigh*

    Got all excited - checked my email inbox, then with a frown, re-read your post.

    Still waiting. . . .
    Posted: 28 Jan 2011 22:15
      2001 The Snow Lord

    Location: The road jump at Charlotte Pass. Paxman Valenta on two planks.
    I'm reading through the Amicus  Recruit employment pages with some interest.

    The agency are claiming they frequently receive in excess of 2000 applications for train driving positions, when they become available.
    Posted: 28 Jan 2011 23:50
      msilsby Deputy Commissioner

    Location: Canberra
    That doesn't surprise me.

    It is well known that it is a well paying job with excellent conditions, compared to other normal jobs. As a tram driver (3/4 of what a train driver earns) I am often amused by people who have a bit of a rant at me, pause, then appologise with 'but your just a tram driver, and you earn bugger all, its not your fault'.

    In most cases I am earning more than them, with better conditions!

    The downside that is often not considered when applying for these jobs is the roster and the monotony. I am sure it is the same in the railways, but we have something approaching 50% of new tram drivers drop out within 3 years of starting. Of those remaining, 50% will drop out or retire within 10 years. Also, something like 70% of all drivers are over the age of 55 which is quite scary - yet they can't employ enough young guys as they are all interested in having their friday and saturday nights off so they can party.

    Those that stick around and are able to keep their noses clean will be sitting pretty in 10 or 15 years!
    Posted: 29 Jan 2011 02:58
      DalyWaters Chief Commissioner

    I am sure it is the same in the railways, but we have something approaching 50% of new tram drivers drop out within 3 years of starting. Of those remaining, 50% will drop out or retire within 10 years.


    Definitely not the case with Metro.

    I suppose a 74 week training course sorts out those who are in for the long haul and those that aren't.

    Metro did have an average age of 50 a few years ago. That is slowly dropping. (Meanwhile, V/Line's average age is still on the up. Last I heard it was around 54 - which is scary).
    Posted: 29 Jan 2011 11:57
      mclovin Train Controller

    Location: Melbourne
    The agency are claiming they frequently receive in excess of 2000 applications for train driving positions, when they become available.
    2001


    The number of applicants for the last round was roughly 4,500.

    Looks to be the same mob as Career Focus (if you read the 'Our People' section).
    Posted: 29 Jan 2011 15:41
      AclassGunzel Deputy Commissioner

    There is certainly no shortage of applications according to their standard response of employment for those on 'the waiting list' - no matter what their attrition rate is.
    Posted: 29 Jan 2011 21:36
      heisdeadjim Chief Commissioner

    What I like is the "Apply Now" button isn't immediately apparent. I think that's the first test. Ya gots ta go lookin' for it!
    Posted: 29 Jan 2011 21:45
      zindello Train Controller

    Location: Outer South West of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
    How long, typically does it take from the close of applications, to training starting?

    I'm current working full time in the land of IT and I've often considered changing careers to something that is sustainable "outside of the city" (OH and I want to move rural) and I've often considered a Train Driver as an option that would facilitate that.

    The only catch is, I'd need to get some finances in order prior to starting as the rate for the first 10 weeks of training would (almost) kill us financially, compared to what I'm on in the IT industry at the moment.
    Posted: 31 Jan 2011 09:40
      mclovin Train Controller

    Location: Melbourne
    How long, typically does it take from the close of applications, to training starting?
    "zindello"


    For me from application to getting the job and starting work was five months.  But I was in the first assessment centre.  There were subsequent assessment centres in my application round that started a couple of months after I did.
    Posted: 31 Jan 2011 14:18
      Galron Chief Commissioner

    Location: Werribee, Vic
    Well I've started the process with these. Put in an application, answered a fairly standard questionnaire, and i guess now i wait.
    Posted: 02 Feb 2011 18:28
      sparkdriver Assistant Commissioner

    Location: Melbourne
    I heard a radio ad for Metro train drivers yesterday and today on Triple M at around lunchtime, saying applications close on Feb 11 and to go to Metro's website for details.
    Posted: 02 Feb 2011 19:22
      warren78 Junior Train Controller

    Location: Victoria
    Did my application too. Going top be tough standing out in a crowed of many thousand applicants by the sound of things . Well best of luck to everyone. Just have to play the usual waiting game now I guess.
    Posted: 03 Feb 2011 09:57
      CliffHanger Station Staff

    As a tram driver (3/4 of what a train driver earns)
    "msilsby"


    I am interested to know how you got the figure 3/4? When a train driver graduates he will be on $120+ compared to $60-65,000 when a trainee tram graduates to full pay (1 year from date of starting with Yarra Trams). Actually here are the figures advertised on the Amicus website.

    Trainee Train Driver Wages:

    Week 1 - 10: $19.47 per hour
    Week 11 - 26: $21.78 per hour
    Week 27 - 73: $25.47 per hour

    Qualified Train Driver Wages:

    $36.37 per hour

    So you can see that if you get to week 27 you are already better off than a fully qualified tram driver who is on $25.11c an hour. I was told that the reason for the large gap in rates is because train drivers have to deal with suicides. Obviously there is much more to it than that but maybe someone can enlighten me as to what they are?

    Thanking those in advance for their replies.

    Regards
    CliffHanger
    Posted: 05 Feb 2011 15:24
      CliffHanger Station Staff

    Some of my tram driver colleagues were disappointed to see that Metro were advertising for drivers again as they had been placed on the waiting list after the last recruitment drive. Given that they haven't heard anything since that can it be assumed that they must have been overlooked?

    Would they be able to reapply this time around?
    Posted: 05 Feb 2011 15:30
      msilsby Deputy Commissioner

    Location: Canberra
    I had been advised from people I trust that most train drivers earn less than that. The figure given was borderline six figures, not comfortable six figures as you indicate.

    I earned just north of $75k last year as a tram driver, which is where my basis comes from.

    In other words, my understanding was that it was about $30k a year more. . . .
    Posted: 05 Feb 2011 21:52
      DalyWaters Chief Commissioner

    I earned just north of $75k last year as a tram driver, which is where my basis comes from.

    In other words, my understanding was that it was about $30k a year more. . . .


    You are going a bit high with your guesstimate there.

    I have never got six figures.
    Posted: 05 Feb 2011 22:10
      mclovin Train Controller

    Location: Melbourne
    I have never got six figures.
    "DalyWaters"


    Interesting... I thought it was quite common for Train Drivers to get in the six figure range?

    My last OJT showed me his payslip a few weeks ago, and he had earnt $70k gross for the first six months of this financial year.

    In saying that he chases overtime a lot, plus OJT rate assists the income I guess.
    Posted: 05 Feb 2011 22:17
      mclovin Train Controller

    Location: Melbourne
    I was told that the reason for the large gap in rates is because train drivers have to deal with suicides. Obviously there is much more to it than that but maybe someone can enlighten me as to what they are?
    "CliffHanger"


    The driver training scheme goes for 73 weeks.  As trainee's, we need to know all of the course content cover to cover in order to pass our assessments (you can be asked anything in the books)

    It's a VERY full on course, so I guess the knowledge and training attained over 73 weeks explains the high rate of pay.

    From what I've heard, a tram driver is full qualified in four weeks?  Not sure if this is true, but perhaps that could explain why there is a gap in pay?
    Posted: 05 Feb 2011 22:20
      cfclael57 Chief Commissioner

    Location: The signalbox
    The agency are claiming they frequently receive in excess of 2000 applications for train driving positions, when they become available.
    "2001"


    The number of applicants for the last round was roughly 4,500.

    Looks to be the same mob as Career Focus (if you read the 'Our People' section).
    "mclovin"


    Shame thats its the same incompetant mob doing the hiring for metro with a different name. When will they learn the best possible drivers to recruit are people that have earnt their stripes in the company in other roles.
    Posted: 06 Feb 2011 05:03
      msilsby Deputy Commissioner

    Location: Canberra
    You are with a trainer or in a class room for the first 4 - 6 weeks depending on how the course is being run, then a 12 month traineeship with 4 different levels of pay. At the end of the initial training period, there are a series of tests such as fault finding, tram rules, etc. Road rules are tested during your road assessment with an external company prior to you starting.

    Can't remember the exact figures, but trainee level 1 is for the first 6 months, level 2 for the next 3, level 3 for the next 3, then at the end of the 12 months, up to full rate of about $25 per hour.

    Big thing differentiating between trains and trams is the safe working. For us, its just road signals, with no ongoing assessment - although there is a 'refresher' every 18 months (although no assessment). Once you qualify as a tram driver on your own, unless there are 'problems', that is it. Oh, they ask to see a drivers license every 6 months to prove you have one, but that is it.

    There is a push for more parity within the union between the trains and trams, but I can't help but wonder what is being smoked by those that are pushing it. Yes trammies deal with a whole range of other things that you don't have to deal with on the train network (motorists for one!), but we simply don't have the safe working requirements that the railways have.

    For us, if the tram breaks down, after a bit of fault finding we kick the passengers off and wait for the mechanics. The worst that can happen from a signals perspective is that we go through a red light, and if we do happen to go through points heading in the wrong direction we either change ends and drive clear of the points, or just find another way to the terminus.

    Still, I have submitted my resume again for the metro jobs. Was supposedly on the merit list last time, but never got the call . . . .
    Posted: 06 Feb 2011 09:11
      CliffHanger Station Staff

    There is a push for more parity within the union between the trains and trams, but I can't help but wonder what is being smoked by those that are pushing it. Yes trammies deal with a whole range of other things that you don't have to deal with on the train network (motorists for one!), but we simply don't have the safe working requirements that the railways have.
    "msilsby"
     

    Hi msilsby,  

    You forgot to mention customers/tourists asking you questions when you are already behind your time schedule (and getting further behind with the more questions asked). What about the pedestrians walking in front of your moving trams oblivious (because the are either listening to their IPod or scanning the web on their can do everything mobile phones) to the odds of them still being alive lessening by the second. Then the taxi's doing U-turns whilst you are travelling at 30-50 kms/h causing the passengers to do superman impressions. I don't expect to be on a par with the train drivers but the gap should be at least $28 p/hr. Please don't tell me that train drivers face more stress.....

    Btw, all the best this time around with your application.

    CliffHanger
    Posted: 07 Feb 2011 02:31
      Sammy D Chief Commissioner

    Location: Melbourne, Victoria

    For us, if the tram breaks down, after a bit of fault finding we kick the passengers off and wait for the mechanics. The worst that can happen from a signals perspective is that we go through a red light, and if we do happen to go through points heading in the wrong direction we either change ends and drive clear of the points, or just find another way to the terminus.

    Still, I have submitted my resume again for the metro jobs. Was supposedly on the merit list last time, but never got the call . . . .
    "msilsby"


    Worst thing actually is if you pass a red signal at a tramway Square! If passing Riversdale please stop! I don't want the paperwork!  Laughing
    Posted: 07 Feb 2011 05:25
      Sir Thomas Bent Minister for Railways

    Location: Banned
    The agency are claiming they frequently receive in excess of 2000 applications for train driving positions, when they become available.
    "2001"


    The number of applicants for the last round was roughly 4,500.

    Looks to be the same mob as Career Focus (if you read the 'Our People' section).
    "mclovin"


    Shame thats its the same incompetant mob doing the hiring for metro with a different name. When will they learn the best possible drivers to recruit are people that have earnt their stripes in the company in other roles.
    "cfclael57"
    Some people have gotten in from other places in Metro; I can think of two from the station grades in recent times.

    Think it depends on the overall calibre of the application - if yours isn't good enough, it isn't good enough.
    Posted: 07 Feb 2011 08:22

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