Application For Employment
Post: Operations Graduate Programme
Applicant Ref:
Closing Date: 28th March 2014
Vacancy Ref: 040596
Please complete this application form using Arial 12 black type. All sections of the form must be
completed. A continuation sheet can be used unless otherwise stated. CV’s are not accepted
and will not be considered. If requested, application forms can be provided on audiotape or disc,
or in large print. Your application will not be shortlisted if it is not completed in the stated format.
Personal Details
Title: (Mr, Mrs, Ms, Miss, Dr
etc)
Forenames:
Preferred Name:
Surname:
Telephone Number:
Mobile Number:
Preferred contact number:
Email Address:
Address 1:
Address 2:
Town:
County:
Postcode:
National Insurance Number:
Are there any restrictions to
you working in the UK?
If yes, please provide details
of any working restrictions and
include expiry date of any
Visa’s or work permits
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Education
Please give details of any qualifications you have obtained below.
Year
Qualification
Subject
Mark or Grade
Additional Qualifications & Apprenticeships
Please provide details of any additional qualifications or apprenticeships and training you have taken
and the level /stage achieved:
Year
Qualification/Apprenticeship/
Training
Subject
Mark or
Grade
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Employment Record
Please give details of all posts you have held since leaving full-time education, starting with the
most recent/current post. Use additional paper if necessary.
Name of Employer
Address
Type of Business
Position Held
Main Duties
Notice Period Required
Reason for Leaving
Annual Earnings &
Benefits
Dates of Employment
Name of Employer
Address
Type of Business
Position Held
Main Duties
Reason for Leaving
Dates of Employment
Name of Employer
Address
Type of Business
Position Held
Main Duties
Reason for Leaving
Dates of Employment
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Essential Criteria
As part of the application process you are required to provide details of how you meet the essential
criteria. The information you provide will be used for shortlisting so please answer the question as fully
as possible. Try to be specific and answer all parts of the question. Failure to provide sufficient
information/detail may mean that your application will not be shortlisted.
1. Do you possess a minimum of a 2.2 degree in any discipline, or are you likely to attain a
2.2 degree by August 2014? (You will be required to provide a copy of your qualification
later in the recruitment process).
Yes
☐
No
☐
If ‘Yes’, please provide details below of your qualification, standard achieved, and year
attained (say if ‘pending’):
2. Do you possess a minimum of 1 years’ experience in industry, commerce or the retail
sector (this may include your year placement)?
Yes
☐
No
☐
If ‘Yes’, please provide details below of your experience:
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3. Do you possess a full current driving licence?
Yes
☐
No
☐
4. Are you willing to be based at any of our locations throughout Northern Ireland?
Yes
☐
No
☐
Competency Questions
In the following questions you are encouraged to provide evidence of specific abilities. You should
include brief details of the situation, the tasks, any actions you took and the outcome. Your examples
can be taken from your education, work or spare time/voluntary activities and you should try to use a
range of examples. Your responses should be capable of being interpreted in the context of Translink’s
managerial practice to demonstrate how Translink managers would use their skills. Your responses to
each question should be no more than 150 words long and any additional words may not be
considered. Your responses to these questions will be used to facilitate the selection process.
1. Influencing and Teamwork
Describe how you achieved a goal through influencing the actions or opinions of
others.
What was the overall goal?
What did you do to make a difference?
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How did you know the result was satisfactory?
2. Planning, Implementing and Achieving Results
Describe a challenging project, activity or event which you have planned and taken
through to a conclusion.
What were your objectives?
What did you do to plan and prepare for the event?
What changes did you make to your plan?
How did you monitor your performance against your objectives?
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3. Analysis, Problem Solving and Creative Thinking
Describe a problem that you have solved.
How did you decide what the critical issues were?
What did you do?
What was your solution?
What other approaches could you have taken?
4. Customer Focus
Translink’s business is focussed on the delivery of a quality customer service,
understanding what customers want and need, and resolving issues in the most
appropriate manner. Describe a situation where you have dealt with customers.
What was the issue?
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How did you handle this?
What was the outcome for both you and the customer?
Is there anything you would have done differently?
Referees
Please nominate TWO previous employers (including current/most recent employer) who have agreed to
act as referees, neither of whom should be a relative. In the event that you have not had two employers,
please provide an academic referee(s). We reserve the right to contact any of your previous employers
for a work-related reference if deemed appropriate. It is not our policy to contact referees prior to
interview.
Existing employees are not required to supply references.
1st Referee
Name
Job Title
Company
Address
Postcode
Telephone
Email
2nd Referee
Name
Job Title
Company
Address
Postcode
Telephone
Email
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Disability
Please specify if you have a disability which requires any adjustments to be made in order to participate
in the aptitude test/interview process, and/or to perform the duties of the post applied for, providing
details of any adjustment/s required.
Translink Disability Discrimination Act 1995 defines a person as having a disability if he or she has, or
has had a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or
her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
Translink will short list any disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post. If you have a
disability under this definition do you wish to be considered under this policy?
Yes
☐
No
☐
Declaration
I hereby declare that:
 The statements contained in this application are, to the best of my knowledge true and correct; I
agree that any misrepresentation by me will lead to the withdrawal of any offer of employment or
my employment being terminated without any obligation or liability to the Company other than for
any services rendered;
 If successful in obtaining employment, I will not be allowed to engage in any other driving duties
except with the written permission of my Manager and will ensure they do not contravene either
Driving Hours Regulations or Working Time Directive Rules. I understand that taxi work or driving
for other employers in competition with Translink is not permitted in any circumstances.
 I may be required to undergo a medical examination by the Company’s Medical Officer, before
taking up the post and at such other times as the Company may require;
Signature:
Date:_ _/ _ _ / _ _
By signing and returning this application form you consent to the relevant operating Company of
Translink using and keeping information about you provided by you or by third parties, relating to your
application or future employment. Such information may include details relating to your health or any
criminal record.
Please return by the specified closing date to: HR Resourcing, Human Resources Department,
Central Station, East Bridge Street, Belfast, BT1 3PB
Late applications, incomplete applications and applications sent by email will not be
accepted.
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EQUAL OPPORTUNITY MONITORING FORM
Post: Operations Graduate Programme
Applicant Ref:
Closing Date: 28th March 2014
Vacancy Ref: 040596
Translink is committed to equal opportunities for all, irrespective of race, colour, ethnic or national
origins, religion, politics, gender, marital status, sexuality, disability or age. So that we can monitor the
implementation of our policy and where relevant conform to appropriate legislation, we are seeking your
help. It would be of great assistance if you would complete this monitoring form. This information will be
treated confidentially and will be used only for the purpose of monitoring our applicants and workforce.
Personal Details
Date of Birth: _ _/ _ _/ _ _
Gender:
Marital Status
☐ Male
☐ Female
Are you:
☐ Single, that is, never married
☐ Married or in a civil partnership and living with spouse/partner
☐ Divorced
Responsibility for
Dependants
Disability
☐ Widowed
☐ Living with someone as a couple
Do you have personal responsibility for the care of:
☐
A child or children (under 18 years)
☐
A person with a disability
☐
A dependent elderly person
☐
None of the above
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 defines a person as having a disability
if he or she has, or has had a physical or mental impairment which has a
substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out
normal day-to-day activities.
Do you have a Disability?
☐ YES
☐ NO
If yes, please indicate the type of impairment which applies to you by ticking
the appropriate box(es). You may indicate more than one impairment. If none
of the categories apply, please mark ‘other’ and specify the type of
impairment.
☐ Physical impairment, such as difficulty using your arms or mobility issues
which means using a wheelchair or crutches
☐ Sensory impairment, such as being blind/having a serious visual
impairment or being deaf/having a serious hearing impairment
☐ Mental health condition, such as depression or schizophrenia
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☐ Learning disability/difficulty, (such as Down’s syndrome or dyslexia) or
cognitive impairment (such as autistic spectrum disorder)
☐ Long standing illness or health condition such as cancer, HIV, diabetes,
chronic heart disease, epilepsy
☐ Other (please specify):
If you have a disability, are there any practical steps which Translink might
consider taking which would assist you in carrying out the duties of this post,
e.g. during the selection process or duties? (Continue on a separate sheet if
necessary).
Racial Group
Race discrimination law outlaws discrimination (including harassment) in
recruitment and employment on grounds of colour, race, nationality and ethnic
or national origins.
Please indicate the ethnic group you consider you belong to:
☐ White
☐ Bangladeshi
Pakistani
Country of Birth
☐ Black African
☐ Mixed Ethnic Group ☐ Chinese
☐ Indian
☐ Irish Traveller
☐
☐ Black Caribbean ☐ Other - please detail:
☐ UK
☐ IRELAND
☐ Other Country – please detail:
Religious
Please indicate your perceived religious affiliation/community background by
Affiliation/Community ticking one of the boxes below:
Background
 Protestant
 Roman Catholic
 Neither
Religious
Please indicate which religious denomination you belong to by ticking one of
Denomination/Current
the boxes below:
Stated Religion
☐ Protestant
☐ Roman Catholic
☐ Other Christian
☐ Buddhist
☐ Hindu
☐ Jewish
☐ Muslim
☐ Sikh
☐ Another Religion
☐ None
Sexual Orientation
My sexual orientation is towards someone:
☐ A different sex
☐ Of the same sex
☐ Both
☐ Prefer not to say
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Data Protection
By completing and returning this monitoring form you consent to the relevant operating Company of
Translink using and keeping information about you provided by you or by third parties, relating to your
application or future employment. Such information may include details relating to your community
background, ethnic origin or any disability.
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DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS
Post: Operations Graduate Programme
Applicant Ref:
Closing Date: 28th March 2014
Vacancy Ref: 040596
Translink is committed to appointing the best person for the job and to ensuring an equal opportunity,
non-discriminatory working environment. Information about criminal convictions is requested to assist
the selection process and will be taken into account only when the conviction is considered relevant to
the post.
Below you are asked to disclose any criminal convictions except those which are considered ‘spent’
under the Rehabilitation of Offenders (NI) Order 1978. Having unspent convictions will not necessarily
debar your application from being considered.
If you do not complete this form we will not accept your application.
Please tick box as appropriate:I confirm that I have no convictions to declare
☐
I confirm that I have convictions as detailed below.
☐
Date of Conviction
Offence
Sentence
Please provide any other information you feel may be of relevance such as:




The circumstances of the offence
A comment on the sentence received
Any relevant developments in your situation since then
Whether or not you feel the conviction has relevance to this post
Please continue on a separate page if necessary
I declare that the answers above are complete and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Signature:
Date:_ _/ _ _ / _ _
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OPERATIONS GRADUATE PROGRAMME
By undertaking one of our Graduate Programmes you will be joining a highly successful
public transport organisation, employing in excess of 3900 people throughout the Province
with a turnover of £200m+. Our bus and train services focus on delivering integrated travel
solutions that are attractive, sustainable and good value.
Translink has daily contact with people in all communities throughout Northern Ireland with
78.4 million passenger journeys being taken every year – and these figures are on the
increase. We are a people business and our employees play a vital role in the level of
service our customers receive. Our employees are proud to work for Translink - you too can
be part of our success story!
The Training Programme
We have invested heavily in developing an innovative two year training programme
designed to challenge and motivate you. The programme will require you to undertake
placements in all parts of the business. This will provide you with the all-round skills you
need to make it as a Translink Manager. In making this investment our aim is to provide you
with the opportunity to be our future senior managers. For example, this might be as a
Service Delivery Manager running one of our busy bus depots, or as a Route Manager
responsible for a main railway line.
The areas covered on the programme will include:
Bus Services
The Bus Division comprises two operating companies, Ulsterbus and Metro. Ulsterbus, is
responsible for the majority all bus services in Northern Ireland, except for Belfast City
services, with 23 main passenger facilities across Northern Ireland employing 1307 drivers
and operating approximately 1400 buses. The business segments include local, express
and cross border services. Ulsterbus is also responsible for the safe transportation of many
Northern Ireland school children.
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Metro is the brand name for the Belfast City services. The company employs 499 drivers
and utilises 284 buses and is responsible for the provision of the bus services in the greater
Belfast Area.
Rail Services
NI Railways operate commuter rail services between Newry, Londonderry, Portrush, Larne
Harbour, and Bangor to Belfast.
Following the introduction of 23 new Class 3000 trains in 2004/05 and a further 20 Class
4000 trains in 2011/12, NI Railways have put the customer at the forefront of everything
they seek to do. NI Railways have become one of the fastest growing railways in Europe,
having increased their passenger numbers and business by 60% in the last 10 years.
Passenger numbers continue to grow and the Company has just recorded the highest
passenger journeys since records began carrying, 10.7 million passengers in 2011/12.
Similarly when compared with other similar rail companies in Ireland and GB customer
satisfaction and punctuality levels are second to none. Work was completed in 2013 to
upgrade the Coleraine to Londonderry section of the network, with significant investment
highlighting the benefits customers can expect from a modern, reliable, value for money
public transport system.
The programme will also include placements in the following areas of the business:
 Operations Management
 Business Development
 Customer Services
 Employee Relations
 Planning/Scheduling
 Logistics
 Engineering Services
 Finance
 People Management
 Safety, Health & Environment
The programme is about achieving a balance between theoretical knowledge and practical
experience. On a daily basis you will find yourself right at the heart of the action, either in
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direct contact with employees or the public or preparing valuable data by which we can take
the business forward. You must be prepared to cover much ground - drive and wash a bus
as well as obtain a general business grounding in finance, marketing, safety and human
resources management.
Throughout, you will report regularly on your developing
experience and be encouraged to give fresh ideas within a mentoring system whereby you
will be under the guidance of a senior transport manager.
Future Direction
The overall training programme will last approximately two years. Around the one year
mark you will be testing your skills in a challenging operational environment. At the end of
two years we expect you to be ready for a permanent fully fledged management role. Have
a read through the attached success stories of our previous Operations Graduates – you
can read more success stories on our website at www.translink.co.uk/graduates/.
Guidance on Completing your Application Form
The application form plays a crucial part in the selection process, i.e. in the shortlisting
process, the assessment process, and at the interview itself. It is vital that you complete
this form as fully and as accurately as possible. The following advice is designed to help
you, particularly if you do not have experience of filling in application forms.
Education, Additional Qualifications & Apprenticeships
Make sure that you give all the information needed, including any awards or qualifications,
either expected or obtained and dates taken. Include any training that you have received
which you consider relevant to the position for which you have applied.
If you have
membership of any professional bodies you should mention this here.
Employment Record
Write here the names and addresses of your present and past employers and the dates you
were employed by them. This section should include any part-time, temporary or voluntary
work whilst in full time education.
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Essential Criteria and Competency Questions
This is your opportunity to demonstrate your experiences through evidence of your ability to
work within set criteria. Please note that this element of the application form is particularly
relevant to whether or not you will be shortlisted and/or selected for assessment. Please
note that responses to the competency section of the application form is limited to 150
words per question and if you need more paper, please continue on a separate sheet of
paper and attach it to the application form.
Assessment
Applicants who are shortlisted from application will be invited to take part in an initial
assessment consisting of ability tests.
Those who successfully complete this stage will progress to an assessment centre where a
range of assessments will be taken to include an assessment of key business skills and a
presentation to Translink managers. The final stage will be an interview with senior
Translink managers. Please note that it may not be possible to provide alternative dates for
assessment centres.
Stage Dates
It is anticipated that the following timescales will apply:
Stage 1 - Initial assessments
Mid-April
Stage 2 - Assessment Centre
Mid-May
Stage 3 - Final Interviews
Mid-June
Note: we may need to change these anticipated dates to suit business needs.
Benefits
In return for your hard work, we can provide an enviable level of job security and a secondto-none pay and benefits package. You will receive 25 days annual leave plus 9 days
public holidays, have the option to join a top class final salary pension scheme, and receive
free travel for you and your family (subject to eligibility). You can also avail of a range of
employee benefits as a Translink employee, and corporate discounts from local retailers
and service providers. In addition to these benefits you will also be paid an annual salary of
£23,000 whilst you are on the Operations Graduate Programme.
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Your Profile
First and foremost, you will need a degree or be expecting a degree by August 2014 – at
least a 2.2 in any discipline. You will also need to have at least one years’ experience
working in industry, commerce or retail. We don’t mind if this includes your year placement,
you will have gained relevant business skills and experience from this. You could be posted
to any of our locations within Northern Ireland as part of the Programme so you must be
prepared for this, and you will need a current driving licence.
You should be hard working, committed and determined. You will need excellent customer
service and people skills and not be afraid of a challenge. We want you to be a future
business leader but you need to be ambitious and self-motivated. You need to be able to
communicate with people at all levels within and outside of the Company, and you need to
have the confidence to do so. And you need to be flexible to meet the demands of the
training programme - you could be asked to work in any department or at any location.
How to Apply
Still interested? Here’s how to apply:
An application form and further details can be downloaded from our website
www.translink.co.uk/jobs/graduates or obtained by writing, enclosing an SAE (A4/A5), to
HR Resourcing, Human Resources Department, Central Station, East Bridge Street,
Belfast, BT1 3PB. Alternatively you can request an application form by phoning 028
90899400 or sending an email to recruitment@translink.co.uk. Completed application forms
should be returned by 5.00pm on Friday 28th March 2014. Please note that late
applications, incomplete applications and applications sent by email will not be
accepted.
Equal Opportunity Policy
Translink is an equal opportunity employer. We select people for employment entirely on
merit, irrespective of race, gender, age, marital status, colour, creed, disability, sexual
preference, religion, etc.
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OUR SUCCESS STORIES
Kay Sharkey – Service Delivery Manager, Downpatrick & Newcastle
I applied for the Operations Graduate Programme as I had a background in Transport
(lorries, storage and shipping) but had never tried the railway or bus industry. As a female,
transport was not a conventional career path to take! My previous career after having my
children was in early year’s education (along with my chosen degree); however I missed the
buzz of a transport environment and this fuelled my desire to apply for the Programme.
Translink are known in Northern Ireland to be a company with a high level of staff retention
– no one leaves!! I thought it would be a good place to work, with plenty of opportunity to
progress.
As a result of the programme I gained many new skills – report writing, negotiating with
trade unions, ensuring the welfare of the staff, managing safety critical environments, staff
and project management. Within the graduate scheme, you are asked to look at many
business options for the company and make recommendations on whether the company
should consider changing their how they operate. I was fortunate enough to be given a
project to examine the viability of Wi-fi on our vehicles. With the help of my research, we
successfully trialled wi-fi on our Cross Channel Services. I'm now very proud to see it has
been spread out across our Goldline and Rail network, with great success.
Just because you are undertaking the Graduate Programme doesn’t mean that you can’t
apply for internal vacancies. I was successful in gaining the temporary role of Traffic
Manager within Northern Ireland Railways after a year on the Operations Graduate
Programme. This role provided me with the opportunity to implement a change programme
within the department. Whilst challenging at times, I gained the experience of managing
the staff within Traffic, a department which is vital to the successful functioning of the
railway.
Following the completion of my one year within Northern Ireland Railways, I applied and
was successful for the position of Travel Centre Business Development Manager which was
my first permanent position. I worked in this role for 2 years’ and enjoyed it immensely. I
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worked with a great team who genuinely care about the company. During this time I was
very fortunate to be given the opportunity to project manage special events including the
provision of buses and drivers for the London 2012 Olympics, and the World Police and Fire
Games 2013 in Belfast. Special events and times that I will never forget!
In August 2013 I was appointed to the position of Service Delivery Manager I now am very
fortunate to have been afforded the opportunity to work with and manage a fantastic team
in my own home area - Newcastle and Downpatrick. My team has developed a strong and
growing Goldline service and a very successful Cairnshill Park and Ride. It just shows what
success you can achieve when you work as a team.
As an "older" graduate, I had previously managed staff and businesses. I feel the graduate
scheme has undoubtedly strengthened my skills and made me a better manager of staff
and of a business. Whilst I am very happy in my present role as SDM in Newcastle and
Downpatrick, in the future, I'd love to be an Area Manager. If you work hard and do a good
job, the sky’s the limit in Translink!!
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Sean McGreevy – Travel Centre Manager
Coming from the motor trade, the move to the public transport industry was a complete
change of direction. Although Translink are known as a great company to work for, and the
fact that I had always had an interest in the sheer logistics of moving people, there was still
a sense of stepping into the unknown.
I needn’t have worried. The scope of functions carried out by the business as a whole was
made plain within my first few days, and I was granted an enviable level of access to the
varied facets of the operation – from engineering to finance, human resources to service
delivery. The Operations Graduate Programme is designed to provide a high level of
understanding at a rapid rate.
Responsibility is given early, too. I was pleasantly surprised at how active the learning was.
Within the first year alone, I had direct, hands-on experience of depot management, fleet
management, resolving customer and staff issues, dealing with public and local
representatives, technical projects and business investigation.
I have been in my current role for almost 5 years now and am pleased to say that I have an
ever-evolving, dynamic role in the organisation, which is challenging and rewarding. The
Operations Graduate Programme has provided, and continues to inform, a solid basis for
my work in terms of knowledge, skills and working relationships.
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