it's only recently I've decided I'm tired of being stuck behind a PC for 40 hours a week going nowhere

You'll still be stuck behind a PC (of sorts) for 40 hours a week and still be going nowhere!

Hahahah, yeah, but at least its something I will enjoy instead of IT helpdesk...

If you really want it bad, Pacific National are recruiting in Qld constantly. Currently doing a new school of trainees every 3 months. Right now they are advertising for trainee drivers in Bowen. As far as QRN goes, in coal they have just made a lot of drivers redundant so aren't going to be recruiting. However in the new year they may find they have let too many staff go and have to recruit to keep up with demand. I'm not too sure about the freight side of things so it's best to keep checking the internet for those vacancies.

New medical health standards for rail safety workers

 

http://locoexpress.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/NatStanHARSWOct2012.pdf

Just wondering where you heard that QR may be looking for trainees within the next 6 months?? I only ask as I have applied for a trainee driver position with them the begining of this year (around March). I have passed all the testing and had the interview but have been put on hold because of their restructuring. I have been told by their HR dept that my next step is a reference check. I would dearly love to get a position with them so any infor you can give me in regards to them starting recruitment again would be great![/quote]

Hi, just wondering when you were told by HR that they were doing reference checks. Yous sound like you wer in the same application that I was and have been waiting since March to hear back. Didi you get a email saying the job had been cancelled? Not sure where to go now, really gutted. So close and then,.......gone. Curious on your situation

I have a hunch there maybe a trainee school sometime next year. QRN (aurizon) coal drivers have gone from not being allowed to do overtime, to doing almost as much overtime as they want to keep up with demand since the redundancies were offered (and taken). Having a percentage of your staff on trainee wages will help to control costs. However I doubt it would be early next year as I'm sure they will want to wait and evaluate the full effect of the reduced number of traincrew. But if another school is advertised, I'm fairly sure you will have to reapply and go through the whole process again. Although the psycometric tests are valid for 12 months. I'd say your best bet would be to apply for as many trainee driver jobs as you can (I think Acacia Ridge has just closed), and if your willing to relocate then you will have more options.

Hey Cubez

I am in the same position, I have done and passed all of the testing for the QR central qld positions earlier this year only to have the positions put on hold, then cancelled a few weeks ago.  I am just wondering why you say we will probably have to go through the whole application process again since the QR testing procedures state the test results are valid for a year??  It may be a new location but the tests are still the same.

Because the intake you applied for was cancelled, any new employment advertisements will be considered a new recruitment intake. Although the results of the psychometric testing remains valid for 12 months, you will still have to apply for any future advertised roles and do any pre-employment interviews and medical. When you apply for the role you will be asked if you have completed the psychometric testing within the last 12 months, if you reply yes, then they will use your results from that testing. All other aspects of the recruitment process will still have to be undertaken.

 

There is an entire thread devoted to the topic of QR trainees. Might be an idea to post these comments there because 

a) Your more likely to get the information you are seeking, and get it to the right people

b) This is a generic question thread

 

http://www.railpage.com.au/f-t11331522.htm




8)

I am trying to get a diesel mechanic appreniceship so I can try and become a train driver later on. Is this a good plan, would an employer have preferance for a diesel mechanic as a train driver?

Short answer not really. It will help you personally come time for an engine and air school, but it probably won't help anymore than a retail or labouring job.

You will have more of a chance getting a gig with a well written resume and cover letter, well answered questions focussed on safety and good interviewing skills.

Thanks for your advice.

I am trying to get a diesel mechanic appreniceship so I can try and become a train driver later on. Is this a good plan, would an employer have preferance for a diesel mechanic as a train driver?

Once you finish your apprenticeship and have a couple of years experience then the answer is that it could help. If it came down to a tie with another applicant then work history and type of work applicable to the industry is looked at (well it's something that I look). It is also something that you can use as a fall back if needed.

I have seen quite a bit of chat about doing your Cert iv in Training & Assessment to increase your chances of consideration as a trainee, is this really true?

I actually really enjoy training others and end up being the person at work who is nominated to upskill other team mates or newbs . I have become really keen on having a career in this industry and would really enjoy being a teacher to future trainees.

That's a good attitude to have, and certainly having a tertiary education certificate regardless of the course content will be usually looked as beneficial.

My advice is however don't rush into training people. I've seen this happen with people who haven't had a great deal of experience and its ended up costing people dearly.

Train driving and the railways isn't black and white, there's hundreds of nuiances and tricks of the trade to learn then pass onto others. This comes with time and patience and a willingness to learn. I've been doing this job a minuscule amount of time compared to others and still have so much to learn.

So enjoy being a pleb and taking it all in

I doubt a Cert IV in Training and Assessment would help much in an initial trainee application.  They're always chasing qualified drivers to become Route Tutors or Tutor Drivers, and the latter now require Cert IV in order to formally assess/sign off new drivers after Stage IV training.  But the company will sponsor that qualification when needed.  

A number of the established Tutor Drivers in my depot have actually resisted being put forward for the Cert IV T&A qualification because they'd get landed with a stupefying amount of extra paperwork if they did the course, for no extra money.  Without it, they can still perform OJOs and ROCs on established drivers, and train up trainees thru Stage IV, but can't sign-off a trainee.

PN vs QRN what is the major differences for prospevctive employees and conditions? PN are putting a bunch of people through the employment process for Sarina and Bowen at the moment to start mid March.

Logo in the uniform at the end of the day. Grass is always greener on the other side.

May be but it is hard to find a good word on PNQ Coal in many forums before 2011. Have they changed recently in attitude or is it no one want's to speak out? Sounds like they used to treat employees fairly poorly.

PN vs QRN what is the major differences for prospevctive employees and conditions? PN are putting a bunch of people through the employment process for Sarina and Bowen at the moment to start mid March.

The only major difference these days is the roster. Aurizon (QRN) have a fixed roster, PN have a blank line roster.

Hello,

As someone who is looking to break into the railway industry as a Trainee Locomotive Driver/2nd Person; earlier in this thread it was suggested that undertaking and completing a safeworking course prior to becoming employed would arguably be of little-to-no value to have on a resume.

With that said, instead of a safeworking course; is it possible to enroll and undertake a Certificate IV in Train Driving course (or similar) prior to applying for employment with a rail operator?

Are there any Training Companies/Further Education Providers who offer this or a similar course to the general public, or is the course only available to those employed in the railway industry?

From what I gather the following companies seem to provide rail training courses;
CERT, GOTRAIN, RAILTRAIN, TROJAN RAIL, KANGAN INSTITUTE


Can anyone here provide feedback or advice on the above?
*Are any of the companies 'less encouraged' than some of the others?
*Is there any merit undertaking and completing a train driving course to put on the resume prior to gaining employment in the railway industry?
*Or is it best simply to apply directly with a rail operator when they advertise a trainee position available?    


Thank you.

I got my Cert IV via RPL (through CERT) but the questions involve the technical aspects of driving and air brake that you wouldn't expect to know without actually being employed as a driver. You can always give them a call and see how they go about their training, but don't be surprised if you're unable to get it until in the industry.

I got my Cert IV via RPL (through CERT) but the questions involve the technical aspects of driving and air brake that you wouldn't expect to know without actually being employed as a driver. You can always give them a call and see how they go about their training, but don't be surprised if you're unable to get it until in the industry.

Thank you for your reply and info.
I'll keep researching. Cheers.