Warm-Up
Ok, let’s get you started with the basics.
So who are Southern anyway?
We’re a rail company operating in the South of England. Chances are you’ll have seen our distinctive green trains about. We run services from London to the South Coast, through Sussex and Surrey – and also parts of Kent and Hampshire.
If you look at our vital stats, you’ll see we’re a big operation. Our 300-strong fleet includes a variety of rolling stock including “Electrostars” and “Turbostars”. We’ve got over 4,000 people working here. And our customers make 493,000 journeys* every day. So, whichever way you look at it, there’s nothing small fry about Southern.
We’re good at what we do, too. The Spring ’09 National Passenger Survey gave us an 80% satisfaction rating, placing us way above the average. And in 2009 we won the franchise to run the Gatwick Express train services in this area until 2014 – an achievement that speaks volumes for how well regarded we are in the industry.
* This figure is based on a typical weekday.
What’s this scheme about?
In a nutshell, it’s about turning you into a qualified train engineer. Through college study and on-the-job training, you’ll learn about the mechanics and electrics of our trains – and how to maintain these valuable pieces of kit.*
The scheme lasts four years, and you’ll earn a decent wage throughout. Once completed, you’ll have a valuable trade and an ONC in Electrical and Electronic Engineering to prove it. And the icing on the cake, you’ll have an excellent chance of a job with Southern at the end.
* At a million pounds each, our carriages are more expensive than McLaren F1s. No wonder we like to look after them.
