PN have put out an EOI for trainees to work for their depot in Sydney (Enfield).

http://www.seek.com.au/job/28927499?pos=1&type=standard

I will add, that there are trainees who started with me in 2011 who are still not qualified, and not because they don't to either. So, if your thinking you going to be driving trains anytime soon as a qualified driver, you may be in for shock.

There is copious amounts of groundwork, however it's a foot in the door.

I should also note that the entire industry is in a depressed state right now, with a large number of qualified drivers on the prowl looking for a position. There is limited ability to move around in the short to medium term. However, if you can stick it out there are very positive prospects as it is very much an "old" workforce with retirements in the next 5-10 years expected to cause a large need to recruit again.

Good luck!


Trainee Locomotive Driver

Looking for a new challenge with a long term career focus
Varying shift patterns across a 24/7 roster
Available to work casual or part time if required

At Asciano we're committed to building a workplace that enables diversity of thought, fresh perspectives, different decision making and ultimately, better business outcomes.
About Asciano
As Australia's only combined rail freight and cargo port operator, Asciano (ASX: AIO) handles and hauls the millions of tonnes of agricultural and resource commodities, retail goods, manufacturing products, construction and other materials that keep the region's economy, businesses and households running. With more than 8,500 skilled and motivated employees across our organisation, our future can be your future.
Pacific National is one of Australia's largest rail providers, comprising three businesses: National Intermodal, Queensland Coal & Bulk and NSW/Vic Coal & Bulk. Join our team as we continue to strive to become market leaders in logistic services that connect businesses and their markets across Australia.

REQUIREMENTS

• Open "C" class driver's license
• Successful completion of a CAT1 medicaL
• Over 18 years of age
• Experience with shift work and flexibility to work a 24/7 roster
• Good mechanical aptitude along with experience operating heavy machinery/equipment
• Ability to work effectively in a team
• Good ideas for work improvement

The Opportunity
As a Locomotive Driver (level 1-4) you will be required to prepare, manage and operate locomotives and trains safely and comply with established operational procedures in order to meet customer and operational requirements. You will pro-actively assist with the development of the team culture across all streams focused on service quality and delivery.
You will be trained in all aspects of safe and efficient locomotive operations and will develop relevant skills and experiences through competency based assessments and on and off the job training. You will be trained to prepare, manage and operate locomotives and trains safely and comply with established operational procedures in order to meet customer and operational requirements
So what do we need from you other than drive, determination and enthusiasm?
About you
Your positive attitude, excellent communication skills and strong commitment to safety will be an important contribution to our culture as will your willingness to undertake ongoing training and development activities. You will have a high regard for safety, a supportive attitude towards your team and excel at customer service.
Closing Date
Applications close on 6.7.15

Hi Seb

As you know I've been trying for a Trainee position since late 2012 when PN was hiring a bit more in NSW than more recently. You don't happen to know why these positions are not on their own website? I missed the deadline for these last year so be quick as applications will close within the week if last year is anything to go by.

S'man

I have seen a few times a lag between seek advertisements, and the position showing up on the Asciano careers page.

Back when I was with Cityrail, the only reason I knew PN were advertising was the small ad I saw in a newspaper.

When it comes to the industry, casting a wide eye over many media certainly seems to be the prudent choice.

I find it a little strange that they can offer positions to trainees here while so many qualified drivers are getting laid off in NSW and other states. I'm not against it, but I hope that any open positions at Enfield and wherever else (told Moss Vale may have opportunities) were offered to those made redundant first.

Not a good time to be a driver anywhere at the moment. The whole industry is feeling the pinch, and I dont really see it improving any time soon. I feel relatively safe in the short term where I am, but looking long term it's a very murky picture.

Just to add the advertisement is for expressions of intrest only there are no jobs available currently but possible in the future.  THESE ARE NOT FULLTIME POSSITIONS casual or at best part time position only.

Just to add the advertisement is for expressions of intrest only there are no jobs available currently but possible in the future.  THESE ARE NOT FULLTIME POSSITIONS casual or at best part time position only.

The EOI ad for qualified drivers with PN for Enfield definitely said 'full time'. I've had a go, but not expecting any result. All my safeworking, etc. quals are all expired now which is a serious disadvantage.

After nearly 28 yrs in the industry I'm just about to walk away and start down another career path from the ground up, but I'll keep trying out for more train crew jobs if/when they pop up. Quals/experience and dedication to efficiency and safety aren't enough to secure jobs in most industries now.

Some of the train crew jobs that have been advertised over the past 12 months (across a whole range of rail companies) took applications then never went anywhere with them, some have done full interview and pre-employment steps then stalled never making contact again, some have done those same steps then at the very last minute been declined. Some have quite specific route, etc. requirements but the employers don't return contacts when asked for more information to clarify the criteria.

Definitely not a good time to trying to get in (or back in) with the current overall economic downturn affecting not just rail but all industries.

And you can see this effect in the wider industry because apart from Metro Trains in Melbourne, none of the other suburban/intercity pass rail operations have done any external hiring for about 12 months. Most of the hiring has been in QLD.

Now it's the 'new financial year', that could trigger more recruitment action towards the latter part of 2015. Bit of a mystery box at the present time.

You are correct craig qualified drivers for f/t or p/t also aurizon are advertising for level 4 drivers at yenoora too if you didn't already see.

Hi All

New Trainee positions advertised for Kalgoorlie, these positions seem to be a annual or at most a biannual occurrence. Would like to know if the demand is supply driven (as in new contracts) or if it's turnover of staff due to whatever conditions are particular to the site.

Cheers
S'man

Trainee positions for Bulk in Vic opened this morning. Seek.com.au

Best of luck to everybody

PN are after casual trainee 2nd persons across Victoria and rural NSW. Despite the casual nature of the position, this is the first real chance in a long time for many people to get a foot in the door in an industry that is certainly very tight atm.

More information can be found on careers page of the Asciano site or via seek.

http://www.seek.com.au/job/29282527?pos=34&type=standard&engineConfig=&tier=no_tier&whereid=

http://www.asciano.com.au/careers

^
Thanks for the heads-up Seb2351.

As already mentioned in this thread, I am quite confused as to how these positions for 'trainees' have become available from the same depots that have very recently made staff relocate (redundant?).

Surely these effected staff would have preferred a casual position to being offered no work at all?

I have been trying to score  trainee position for the past decade now, yet the few times I have seen trainee positions advertised have almost always come soon after depots have announced they will be releasing staff.

I almost purchased a house in a rural town earlier this year with the hope of one-day being employed at its railway depot, however this was the at the time PN announced they had to 'relocate' staff from that particular depot.
This caused me some concern and made me rethink about purchasing a house prior to getting employment with the railways.



Can I also ask what an "open 'C' class driver's license" is exactly?


Cheers

I cannot comment on the rationale behind this, as I don;t work for PN anymore and therefore not in a position to provide reliable information. I would suspect however, given the locations that it would be for grain working. Casual style employment appeals to PN for grain depots due to the seasonal nature of the trade. A casual worker is much cheaper to drop than a permanent full time one.

An open C class drivers licence means that you can drive both manual and automatic vehicles, with no restrictions placed on you. Examples of restrictions would include holding P plates or limited by a court order to drive between your place of residence and place of employment.

This is fairly common now days. Exemptions may be available, but they are becoming harder to get especially when you have so many applicants to choose from.

Casual style employment appeals to PN for grain depots due to the seasonal nature of the trade. A casual worker is much cheaper to drop than a permanent full time one.

An open C class drivers licence means that you can drive both manual and automatic vehicles, with no restrictions placed on you. Examples of restrictions would include holding P plates or limited by a court order to drive between your place of residence and place of employment.

This is fairly common now days. Exemptions may be available, but they are becoming harder to get especially when you have so many applicants to choose from.

Thankyou for that info.
Cheers

I don't understand whilst they are doing this when they just sacked trainees at Dimboola a couple of weeks ago.
Hope they are taken to fair work. For anyone else thinking of applying don't get your hopes up.
You will only be safe working and shunt qualified. As a casual you wont be taught engine or air so you will never be able to drive.
It may be a foot in the door but you will be stuck on the right hand side for a long time.
You will be doing shifts that no one else wants to do, that's how it works at our depot with the casuals.
We even get offered overtime before it goes to a casual.
PN is not a happy place at the moment, there are even some second persons that are waiting to be qualified as a driver
even though they have been with PN for years.
And being not qualified in much hope you like grain dust and loading/unloading trains this will be your main job.

I don't understand whilst they are doing this when they just sacked trainees at Dimboola a couple of weeks ago.
Hope they are taken to fair work. For anyone else thinking of applying don't get your hopes up.

It sounds like this is why they hire on a casual basis. you can hire and fire when you like, and it doesn't cost anything. sure its not the best thing for the worker, but from a business perspective it makes sense. It certainly seems like the EBA allows for it...

You will only be safe working and shunt qualified. As a casual you wont be taught engine or air so you will never be able to drive.
It may be a foot in the door but you will be stuck on the right hand side for a long time.
You will be doing shifts that no one else wants to do, that's how it works at our depot with the casuals.
We even get offered overtime before it goes to a casual.
PN is not a happy place at the moment, there are even some second persons that are waiting to be qualified as a driver
even though they have been with PN for years.
And being not qualified in much hope you like grain dust and loading/unloading trains this will be your main job.

Isn't that why they advertised the bulk of these positions only as trainee second persons, not as trainee drivers?

Is it still worth applying for? I am hoping that any experience and skills are better than none and if successful I hope to gain as much as I can, even if it isn't a forever job. Its got to be better than what I have now (no experience or skills in this area.) I'm not sure why they would let some go and then re-hire straight away, but I'm sure they have their reasons.

I agree Rutiger, some training is better than none, for when the industry picks up again. I'll be applying for the NSW positions. I've even thought of applying for the grain terminal operators positions for Viterra.

S'man

Hi everyone

I contacted Asciano Careers this afternoon and they will be letting all applicants know the official outcome of their application via e-mail tomorrow. Best of luck to everyone who applied!!

Steve82

@Spiritman.... your chance is coming. PN after trainees in Sydney

http://asciano.com.au/careers/search/trainee-train-drivers-freight/?sid=-3c6d1411

@Spiritman.... your chance is coming. PN after trainees in Sydney

http://asciano.com.au/careers/search/trainee-train-drivers-freight/?sid=-3c6d1411Hey Seb

Hey Seb

Thanks for the heads up mate! As you would know I've been hanging around this jobs forum for about 2 years now and this is about the best chance people off the street will have to get a start as a driver in the Sydney and greater Sydney region. I've applied for positions in regional NSW lately but with zero success, it will be very competitive but one can only hope! Good luck to all!

S'man

PS How do you do that @name thingy Seb?

Ad already taken off the Asciano website, be quick if you are still interested it may still be accessible from third party job sites like Seek etc

Cheers
S'man

Ad already taken off the Asciano website, be quick if you are still interested it may still be accessible from third party job sites like Seek etc

Cheers
S'man

...or our own jobs page:

https://www.railpage.com.au/jobs/202

Anyone else apply for the last ad for Sydney trainee drivers? I got to the video interview but haven't heard anything more yet.

Anyone else apply for the last ad for Sydney trainee drivers? I got to the video interview but haven't heard anything more yet.

At least you got that far! What your industry background Toten?

Anyone else apply for the last ad for Sydney trainee drivers? I got to the video interview but haven't heard anything more yet.

At least you got that far! What your industry background Toten?

Shopfitter with dreams of train driving, I added the "driver for a day experience" I did down at the victorian goldfields railway I figured that might give me extra points.