Is there an advantage to being in the company already?
I am over 40 but I am prepared to move where the training is. I have applied for 4 trainee positions in the last year, I think I'm a viable candidate and certainly was able to meet all the requirements in the job ads.
One of the recent ones was Asciano in Melbourne where they never progressed me to a phone discussion or interview. I only ever got an email saying I wasn't suitable, no feedback or reasons so it's difficult to believe that all I have to do is move to where the jobs are as I am in Melbourne.

Hi Botheus

If you would like me to look into why you weren't successful for the melbourne roles, please let me know and PM me your name or email address and I will look into it. I am also happy to review your resume and give you tips on how best to place yourself for gaining an interview.

What I can tell you however is that the recent trainee roles in Melbourne were unfortunately cancelled, this may be the reason you received an unsuccessful notification.

Stuart

In the last 18 months since I have been looking for Trainee opportunities I have seen a significant slow down....I fear a few of us here have missed the boat as it seems the growth years between 2007-2012 are now past us. Perhaps in 2-3 years time it will pick up again but by that time I will be out of my 40's, and that's when age starts to be a factor in the selection process.

S'man

Hi Spiritman,

I think this time of the year (April/May through July/August) is a quiet time of the year for most companies, mostly because of the end of financial year with a lot of companies placing their jobs on hold until they have made their financial reports to the market, then opening up the floodgates once again. I think this year has been doubly harsh due in part to the federal budget announcement and nervousness of the market on what that will mean to their businesses, and also ups and downs in the grain sectors impacting on trains running and future needs for drivers.

I think you'll see new roles coming online once we are into August.

Stuart

For Qualified drivers in WA, it would appear that Pacific National are testing the waters with an EOI. I believe their new iron ore contract kicks up very shortly, if it has not already so interesting times ahead.

As Australia's only combined rail freight and port operator, Asciano handles the raw resources, retail goods, manufacturing products and construction materials that keep Australia's businesses running. With more than 10,000 skilled and motivated employees across our organisation, our future can be your future.
Pacific National Rail is one of Australia's largest rail providers. Our Bulk Haulage business moves bulk commodities such as grain, bulk liquids, magnetite and aggregates.
We like to think all of our roles are amazing, with operations across Western Australia from regional centres to major metropolitan areas, you can imagine some of the views and experiences our drivers get to have every day.
As we continue to evolve so do our opportunities, making us an ideal organisation to further your career or get back into what you love doing.
We have a range of opportunities for Qualified Locomotive Drivers in Merredin & Perth with a Brookfield TAP WTO25 track access permit. You will have experience in driving freight locomotives within Western Australia and a current C Class drivers license. A strong commitment to following established policies and procedures plus a very high regard for personal and operational safety are essential as is an ability to communicate effectively in a team environment.
In completing this application you will be assessed by one of our recruitment team based on your experiences and preferences. As part of our selection process you are required to successfully complete a CAT 1 Medical Examination.
By registering with us you we will proactively review your profile against current and future needs.
We would also recommend you register to see new jobs through our job alert function; these are sent to your nominated email address where you can directly apply to the vacancy.

http://www.seek.com.au/job/26680076

Good luck to anyone that gets a job in this climate. This is the first time in a while when I had a look at seek to see only two driver jobs available and both of them are for a talent pool. Other than the GWA ads for Whyalla trainees which closed two weeks ago I think we won't see any growth for a while. Anyone who wanted to leave PN will take a VR and Aurizons cost cutting will free up some people so god knows.

Good luck to anyone that gets a job in this climate. This is the first time in a while when I had a look at seek to see only two driver jobs available and both of them are for a talent pool. Other than the GWA ads for Whyalla trainees which closed two weeks ago I think we won't see any growth for a while. Anyone who wanted to leave PN will take a VR and Aurizons cost cutting will free up some people so god knows.

SCT just had interviews with the view of putting on up to 8 more drivers at Adelaide, and I hear rumblings that with further expansions planned more positions will become available. It's not all doom and gloom out there, thankfully.8)

I applied for the recent G&W trainee applications, got the usual thanks but no thanks. but what really pisses me off is no reason why, even when I asked for positive criticism of my application
surely willing to relocate from Perth to Whyalla would have been a star in my book lol

I applied for the recent G&W trainee applications, got the usual thanks but no thanks. but what really pisses me off is no reason why, even when I asked for positive criticism of my application
surely willing to relocate from Perth to Whyalla would have been a star in my book lol

Sadly, that would have been a big mark against you. GWA has a very strong preference for locals when you apply,especially for trainee positions.
A growing trend with other operators as well.

I applied for the recent G&W trainee applications, got the usual thanks but no thanks. but what really pisses me off is no reason why, even when I asked for positive criticism of my application
surely willing to relocate from Perth to Whyalla would have been a star in my book lol

Yeah that's quite the response a lot of out of town people get. All I can say if you are going to apply at a depot that is a long way away get a PO BOX at that location. I think its only $100. Change your address on your internet bank account to that PO BOX and bang you have ID that you are a resident. A lot of caravan parks will hold mail if you pay them to boot.
A mate did this for the Air force for an aviation position. They hit the quota for NSW so he did this for SA and got in. Even the recruiters said not a bad idea.
It will at least get you past head office HR cull and probably get you an interview as they see you as person who is already at the wanted location.
I am no condoning this its just what I was told by a mate. But saying this I know some drivers that travel over 200km to work.

interesting idea, though a po box here in perth is over $260

I understand what you are saying, though a simple phone call to me asking if I was willing to relocate and become "a local" as you put it would have been nice

interesting idea, though a po box here in perth is over $260

I understand what you are saying, though a simple phone call to me asking if I was willing to relocate and become "a local" as you put it would have been nice

The reasoning behind it, particular for places like Whyalla for example where the working is boring/not much money to be made at all is that locals are established and have less reason to sudden get up and leave. Numerous depots have been in the past by staff who, at the interview were as keen as mustard but then find the job is not what they thought.

I am not saying you would do this, but unfortunately managers have a long memory and don't want to get burnt again.

yeah I do understand, terrible elimination process though, advertise on seek nationally and only consider local applicants due to past indiscretions

Thanks for the heads up!!

Happy Perth,
Take a look at the Aurizon website, currently advertising for OM / view to trainee drivers at Nungaloo (Gero).

Have been told yesterday, expect local Perth OM / trainee's to be advertised towards end of year. Aurizon will not be sourcing from overseas any more, due to the time and cost of relocations.

Cheers

Maybe an Admin can put this into the Aurizon Jobs thread.

Maybe an Admin can put this into the Aurizon Jobs thread.

Under each post is a "report post" button. Best way of attracting a moderators attention, as it is unlikely your post will be noticed for a while otherwise.

Maybe an Admin can put this into the Aurizon Jobs thread.

Maybe someone could do an English translation at the same time, please.

Under each post is a "report post" button. Best way of attracting a moderators attention, as it is unlikely your post will be noticed for a while otherwise.

Thanks Seb...didn't think I could use it for that option.

Thanks Seb...didn't think I could use it for that option.

No worries, all here to help

Guys post has beeen reported and the results are shared here.
[edit]
Mods and  lowly admins like me cannot move a post into any other post, we can only delete. If the poster wishes he/she can repost their post in  another thread, then  pm one of us, or even report their own post to ask for it to be deleted. I will take no action until I hear from the  poster in whatever direction they wish.
[/edit]

This side topic of posts etc is deemed off topic, and suggest  PN traineee & qualifies guards NSW & VIC continue for that purpose from now  on, please.

Has Pacific National already come to downsizing;

There [& ASCIANO] Job vacancy website has changed.

Mmmmmmmmm

For anyone who is a qualified driver asciano are looking for full time driver based in Alice springs to drive The Ghan from Alice springs to Darwin and return. Best of luck to those who apply for it!!

For anyone who is a qualified driver asciano are looking for full time driver based in Alice springs to drive The Ghan from Alice springs to Darwin and return. Best of luck to those who apply for it!!

It has been re-advertised to include trainee opportunities.

PN only operates the Ghan on that corridor - all the other trains are operated by GWA at this time. The Ghan is operated by GSR, and PN has I believe been crewing it ever since the SG line from Alice Springs to Darwin opened in 2004. Open to correction on that.

PN is also the only operator to have crews at Alice Springs as far as I'm aware.

Craig.

The requirement regarding Qualified drivers  is  very  open,  does it  mean  a  person  who is  qualified in all forms of safe working applicable  including engine & air and local working & passed off  for the  line or  is it just  engine  / air &  safeworking that is applicable for the line ?

 wally

Best of luck to those who apply for either the qualified or trainee positions in the Alice. Does anyone know if there are any trainee positions comming up in NSW?? I thought that something might have been happening by now, especially in the southern NSW wheat belt. There are strong talk of a excellent harvest this year here in southern NSW provided there are not surprise frosts!!

Asciano Locomotive Drivers for Sydney
Spotted this last night, EOI for Sydney trainee drivers

Asciano Locomotive Drivers for Sydney
Spotted this last night, EOI for Sydney trainee drivers

Couple of things to be aware of:

1) Its an expression of interest only, not a specific ad for a position
2) You are only hired as a casual. This is no guarantee (if hired as a trainee) that you will gain a certificate III or IV in train driving, as no traineeship contracts will be signed.
There are trainees at Enfield (this is not for intermodal/Sydney/Chullora) that started in 2011 that are still waiting to be signed off as drivers.They have not even gained their Certificate III, and they are full time employees. Do not expect to be driving a locomotive within the first 2 years if hired as a trainee. They are after bums on seats second person's not drivers.

3) This depot is night shift depot, and expect shunting. Shunting. Shunting. Oh, did I mention the shunting. Unless someone goes sick, there is very little real mainline work, most of it is short haul (ie 15km jobs). Expect to be doing a lot of car driving.
4) With drought taking hold, full time employees will be given preference for positions to transfer, and Enfield traditionally is the depot that soaks up drivers who have lost work in their old wheat based depot. Job security here is very poor in that respect.

In short, if I was looking to get a foot in the door this would not be worth the hassle or stress.