Irish Rail Jobs Discussion

Dee66

Exactly. If its a job you're after it's hardly wasting time. I applied the last round but didn't make it to the interview stage. I got the usual "although you were above average on the online phase 2 assessment, applications were of an extremely high standard" eg. Thanks for playing but no 😁. I'll have to figure out how to do the online assessment faster

Justaburner

Dee, I wouldn't worry about faster. Accuracy first. Speed second.

Has worked for me anyway.

Dee66

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118946278#Comment_118946278

Have you applied or are you working there now?

Jamie2k9

Up to 80 Driver Roles, RTE have details on when CSO, Station Ops and Apprentices dates.

https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2022/0419/1293112-iarnrod-eireann-initiates-recruitment-of-150-staff/

Justaburner

I'm through all the testing and have had 1 interview. Waiting, very patiently, on the outcome of that 😂

intercity124

The Depot I have applied for is not included in todays advert, not sure if that's a good thing (still waiting.....) or the final nail in my current application. Has the training room in Mallow been fixed up yet? That could speed things up abit.

Effects

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118946520#Comment_118946520

Have you followed up?

Justaburner

Nope. It's kinda been this way from day 1.

Do you think I should?

Effects

Yeah, I'd have followed up if I got that far. The fact they are hiring more drivers, but you haven't heard yet isn't a good sign, but it's worth finding out.

Justaburner

I dunno about that. It has been like this every step of the process no news is invariably good news.

superfly75

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118951251#Comment_118951251

No news is good news, they let you know promptly if you have not progressed. Thier communication is poor though, you're just left hanging, wondering for weeks on end.

PadraigCoghlan

Hi, I've got passed the online questionnaire as I did the last time but came up short on the aptitude tests. What is the best way to get through them. I am useless at aptitude tests. Any help.

Justaburner

Go for accuracy over speed is the only advice I can give.

Theres a UK website that does practice tests too. Might be able to find something to help you there.

https://traineetraindriverinfo.com/

Effects

Do you mean you got past the initial stage on applying, but failed on the second part (miniSCAAT, RAAT and LD SJT)?

PadraigCoghlan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118951860#Comment_118951860

Yes failed 2nd part the last time.

PadraigCoghlan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118951856#Comment_118951856

Thank you. Last time I went for speed and accuracy but ended up screwing it up.

intercity124

Is there a maximum distance you can live from your selected Depot?

sean85

I failed the first online part, where you have to list the top and bottom 3 most important responsibilities and the few scenarios with 4 options. Does anyone have any tips for the next time it comes around? The response email doesn't provide any feedback at all on what areas I went wrong. Thanks.

Justaburner

This has been discussed previously @intercity124 . Think the answer is no there's no maximum distance here, unlike in the UK.

That said, you'd want to consider the practicality of a very long drive when starting early or finishing late I suppose.

Justaburner

Put yourself in the place of a train driver. What do you think a driver would do?

Hint. Safety first. Always.

Justaburner

Final interview invitations are coming out. Good luck to those waiting.

oleard1987

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118951860#Comment_118951860

I got an email this morning to say i had passed the application part .I have now completed Drive Situational judgement test in time but only got to question 35 in RAAT .Does this mean i am going to fail or will the take in to account my answers for the previous 34

I still have the MiniSCAAT to complete

SeanD123

How long is the training period and is there any scope for annual leave during it or?

Mundo7976

I haven't logged in to do the tests yet, do they need to be done on a pc or will a tablet be ok?

Effects

I wouldn't chance it on a tablet myself.

Do it on pc if possible. My best advice to take your time and be accurate instead of trying to rush it. You don't have to complete it all to pass it just be accurate . Safety first in situation judgement test and if you have strong memory you will be good at in the other test. I passed all the online and test centre tests last year but fell at the interview stage so don't ask me how to talk to people one on one 😂😂

PadraigCoghlan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118958350#Comment_118958350

What was the interview like. What do they expect off you.

superfly75

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118957892#Comment_118957892

Not 100% sure but I think its 5 months in a classroom followed by 250 hours of mentored driving. No annual leave allowed during training, but I could be wrong.

Justaburner

I'd definitely reckon there wouldn't be any leave for the classroom training certainly. That's normally the way.

I think it's unlikely (or legal) that you can't take any leave for 12/15 months though.

@SeanD123 Do the tests on a PC, you'll regret it if you don't.

@PadraigCoghlan, I really wouldn't worry about that yet. Take it one step at a time and you won't drive yourself crazy. For me, there was literally months between each step.

Interview is grand padraig I think I just over thought it at the time. As justaburner says I wouldn't think that far ahead yet just keep the head down for the online tests and take it from there. It's a slow annoying process but alot of people have got through it which is great to see. I'm going to give it a second go and hope for the best 😂😂

TheShepard

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118958503#Comment_118958503

On the money! Exactly that

Soarer

Is it taboo to ask what the starting wages are? Including allowances, etc.

If one of the folks working there would prefer to use PM, fire away.

intercity124

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118960267#Comment_118960267

I think it was mentioned previously as 45.5k classroom, 46.5k mentored driving, once you pass out you go onto the scale yr1.

Soarer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118960639#Comment_118960639

Thanks for that. Didn't fancy going back though 109 pages!

Is that basic, or is it all-in? No shift allowance or whatever?

And scale yr1? yr2? etc.?

MrBumBum

SeanD123

Registered Users

Posts: 101 ✭✭ 21-04-2022 6:41pm

How long is the training period and is there any scope for annual leave during it or?

About 13 weeks classroom plus another week for exams if memory serves me right.

If you get the job don't have any holidays planned, you're expected to not take any leave during the class.

No problem getting leave during your hours as a trainee having time off won't affect the rostered jobs.

Mundo7976

3 tests done, about 1.5hours, had to re-read some of the raat & ld/sjd but nothing too taxing. Waiting game now!

Soarer

Same. You'd be guzz-eyed from looking at them.

"big B, small v"

That's why I'd like to know the story with the wages. As much as I'd like the job, like everyone else I've bills to pay so can't really be taking a paycut.

Rootsblower

Rate of pay after completion of salary scale(10 years) is €59865. Hopefully a new pay deal in place during this summer.

That’s a composite rate which includes Sunday/Bank holiday working and shift allowance.

Theres also a defined benefit pension at the end which are as rare as hens teeth now.

GP scheme also available at approximately €4 per week for unlimited visits.

Very good disability insurance scheme too in case you can’t drive for medical reasons.

Theres a few other bits and bobs too but would take me ages to explain.

Justaburner

Is there really STILL a defined benefit pension? Really?

Rootsblower

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118961982#Comment_118961982

Yes it’s a DB pension. New entrants need 30 years(I’m fairly sure) and work till state retirement age(66) to get maximum benefit.

SnowFlakes2019

Has anyone applied for the current recruitment for locomotive drivers?

I completed the questionnaire this morning and received an email that I'm through to next stage and have to complete 3 online tests?

Any advice on how to perform well?

Thanks chaps

Willie Stroker 1976

I applied on Tuesday. Got the same email, done those 3 tests today. They are ok, not too bad. Just remove any distractions and use the practice material they gave ya.

ps. This is my second time applying, made it to stage 3 in 2020. Hoping to go the distance now

Justaburner

My advice? Make a pot of tea and read this thread from the start. Nearly every question you have or will have has been answered and posters here have posted their progress from beginning to end and others right through to hiring.

It was a huge benefit to me. I'd advise you to do the same.

If you've any questions left, there's always someone to help. Good luck with the process. Patience is key.

Wishbone Ash

Is there an upper age limit? I realise that they may not state it for obvious reasons but I presume also that it may not be feasible for them to train someone who may only be available for 10 years or so?

veronymus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118963464#Comment_118963464

They are not an ageist organisation, I assure you. Was early forties when I was recruited and was not the oldest in my class by perhaps a decade.

Soarer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118962256#Comment_118962256

Same.

This is my second time applying too. Applied a few years back, and got invited to Inchicore. Happened to get a promotion where I currently am, so declined to opportunity.

But who doesn't want to be a train driver?!?

superfly75

I know the classroom stage of training takes 5 months for new Diesel drivers, is it the same for new DART drivers?

Hilly Bill

Yes. They are all good jobs .

MrBumBum

.