Train Driver Jobs - very exact age requirement 20 February at 11:01PM in Employment, jobseeking & training 16 replies 1.1K views

Ash_Pole

Avanti West Coast are recruiting for drivers -

https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/about-us/careers/train-driver-recruitment

Stage 1 of the application process states:

"The two main requirements for the role are that applicants are 20 ½ years old at the point of applying and they live within 1 hour of a depot."

This is a very exacting age requirement, to say the least. Why is it so precise (and is it even legal)? I can understand that they'd not want to invest in training a 50yo (even though it's only a 16 week training programme), but why not someone who is 21?

GrumpyDil

Ash_Pole said:

Avanti West Coast are recruiting for drivers -

https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/about-us/careers/train-driver-recruitment

Stage 1 of the application process states:

"The two main requirements for the role are that applicants are 20 ½ years old at the point of applying and they live within 1 hour of a depot."

This is a very exacting age requirement, to say the least. Why is it so precise (and is it even legal)? I can understand that they'd not want to invest in training a 50yo (even though it's only a 16 week training programme), but why not someone who is 21?

It says over 20 1/2 years old. 

Grumpy_chap

Ash_Pole said:

Avanti West Coast are recruiting for drivers -

https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/about-us/careers/train-driver-recruitment

Stage 1 of the application process states:

"The two main requirements for the role are that applicants are 20 ½ years old at the point of applying and they live within 1 hour of a depot."

This is a very exacting age requirement, to say the least. Why is it so precise (and is it even legal)? I can understand that they'd not want to invest in training a 50yo (even though it's only a 16 week training programme), but why not someone who is 21?

They can apply.  It says "over 20 1/2"

If you can travel to your designated depot within an hour, meet the required medical standards and are over 20 ½ years old at the time of applying – then you could reach a salary of circa £70,000 within just a few years.

MikeJXE

I don't see where the word over is.

From the link 

The two main requirements for the role are that applicants are 20 ½ years old at the point of applying and they live within 1 hour of a depot.

Ash_Pole

Ah sorry, it's in two places. On the left it does say over 20 ½, but in the Q&A on the right it misses out the word "over"! 

MikeJXE

Thanks for the clarification 

I hope they don't miss out how to use emergency stop 

Dakta

Train drivers have to be over 21 iirc hence the requirement to be 20 and a half - it's actually a bit kind because as training will generally take best part of a year it allows for people who will be the necessary age by the time they would actually have to take control of a train to apply.

The fact it says you have to be 20 1/2 is clearly just a bit of a wording error, it's not the first obvious one I've seen from Avanti and you should just take it with the required interpretation and salt...

Plus, plenty of older people make it to train driver at the back end of their (sometimes completely unrelated) careers - I'd place far more concern on the aptitude tests as frankly they are tough for anyone.

MalMonroe

And also, why wouldn't they invest in training someone of 50? (I can understand that they'd not want to invest in training a 50yo (even though it's only a 16 week training programme), but why not someone who is 21?)

They could have at least 16 - soon to be 17 and maybe more - good years of work in front of them. To deny them a job WOULD be discriminatory.

Train drivers have to be able to see, hear and distinguish between colours but those characteristics are asked of  everyone who applies and are not age-based but are for safety reasons.

JCS1

MalMonroe said:

And also, why wouldn't they invest in training someone of 50? (I can understand that they'd not want to invest in training a 50yo (even though it's only a 16 week training programme), but why not someone who is 21?)

They could have at least 16 - soon to be 17 and maybe more - good years of work in front of them. To deny them a job WOULD be discriminatory.

Train drivers have to be able to see, hear and distinguish between colours but those characteristics are asked of  everyone who applies and are not age-based but are for safety reasons.

What is this based on @MalMonroe?

SusieT

MalMonroe said:

And also, why wouldn't they invest in training someone of 50? (I can understand that they'd not want to invest in training a 50yo (even though it's only a 16 week training programme), but why not someone who is 21?)

They could have at least 16 - soon to be 17 and maybe more - good years of work in front of them. To deny them a job WOULD be discriminatory.

Train drivers have to be able to see, hear and distinguish between colours but those characteristics are asked of  everyone who applies and are not age-based but are for safety reasons.

Unless things nave changed, someone who is 50 is over 20 1/2 years old and therefore eligable to apply?

maisie_cat

JCS1 said:

MalMonroe said:

And also, why wouldn't they invest in training someone of 50? (I can understand that they'd not want to invest in training a 50yo (even though it's only a 16 week training programme), but why not someone who is 21?)

They could have at least 16 - soon to be 17 and maybe more - good years of work in front of them. To deny them a job WOULD be discriminatory.

Train drivers have to be able to see, hear and distinguish between colours but those characteristics are asked of  everyone who applies and are not age-based but are for safety reasons.

What is this based on @MalMonroe?

Age discrimination legislation?