examiner

customer service representative

field operator

naval architect

air traffic controller

Serco

I had worked for this company for over 8 years and had many different roles. I took the opportunities to progress my career there, finally ending up as a team manager over 30-40 members of staff. 
I worked with some of the best colleagues I could ask for and was constantly supported by them and upper management. Throughout my time there I was able to develop my job description and role as our service changed and was given the freedom to decide on strategies that made us more productive and efficient. My daily tasks included ensuring the line was run to targets and that advice given by advisers to callers was correct, efficient and up to the standards expected by the client. I was also responsible for the time management, quality control and when necessary, disciplinary of advisers. At the same time my day was also spent carrying out ad hoc tasks for the client and answering advisers questions. Team Managers were also responsible for carrying out monthly 121 meetings with each adviser to ensure their quality met standard and to develop and carry out individual coaching plans. We were also responsible for annual personal development plans. 
Around two times a year the Team Managers conducted recruitment drives and were responsible for interviewing, hiring and training new members of staff. We were also responsible for ongoing coaching and quality control post initial training. 
My time at this company was invaluable to me as it taught me how to work independently and efficiently as well as learning the value of team work. My customer service skills increased significantly as I was able to speak to and advise customers from all over the world.

At DriveTest you spend your shift aiding the public by processing transactions related to driver licensing.  This is a privately run company that only cares about their bottom line.  And it's not just customer service that they skimp on in order to make money...the physical work environment is dreadful...constantly broken equipment, broken HVAC, bad pest control, even trying to find a decent chair for your desk or a working stapler can be a challenge.  Work schedule is only received 36 hours in advance, and shift hours are designed to ensure you aren't paid for breaks. They schedule minimal hours and you are basically on call every day.  You are always being asked to come in early, come in on a day off or to stay late. Absolutely everything you do is monitored and timed.  If you take too long processing transactions you are told to speed up, if you make an error because you're trying to work quickly you get told your error rate is too high, if you spend too much time between transactions (trying to hunt down a working pen or a paper clip) you are accused of slacking off.  I'm not joking....everything you do is timed without exception.  All of this just compounds the stress you are under in an already highly challenging position.  Your customer service skills will be pushed to their limits and you will never receive positive feedback from managers who are overworked themselves and only concerned with the numbers.  

Most enjoyable part of the job: meeting lots of people from different cultures and helping them get their driver's license

Least enjoyable part of the job: lack of support or recognition in any form


**Their expectations of how many tests you needed to complete per day was unrealistic.*** It is totally dependent on too many factors and as long as you are close to that goal that should have been fine. 

Fast paced from one car to the next instead of taking into account safety while getting to and from said vehicles in a crowded parking lot filled with amateur drivers. 
During summer while it is extremely hot, you are punished when coming inside for a drink of water or using the facilities..as you are berated for why there is 2 or 3 mins between tests! Are you kidding me? people are not robots.

 Overall the pay is acceptable, however not proper compensation for putting your life health and safety on the line when it comes to the type of serious mistakes these drivers make and how seriously injured you can get. Lastly they had the audacity to tell you on your last day your contract is finished after putting in 5 months whilst keeping you strung along thinking you actually have a job. 

They have no concern for their employees well being or any consideration that you may be paying rent/ mortgage to just throw you unsuspectingly out of a job. 
Sorry but after a 3 month period they should make a decision whether or not to hire you on full time. Their idea of seniority is a joke because there is a giant pool of employees who might not even be remotely close to your location who can literally kick you out of a job. They really need to revamp how they are running this organization while leaving good hard working employees clueless..

Before you apply, make sure you know what your getting into. I thought this would be a good company to work for until i experienced an unrealistic expectation I had encountered during training. If you know your are going to be late for your training even if its a legitimate excuse, your better off not coming at all, and find another job. They document you even if you are ONE MINUTE  LATE for training and you will be DISMISSED. Through the training process you are NOT GUARANTEE  the job until you actually PASS all requirements, that includes being on time, passing all written quizzes and test, shadowed training and your attitude. If you don't do well in all these requirements, you will be dismissed and the material is a lot and overwhelming to learn within 5 days. For those of you looking for another job, if you have one prior to applying, even if they offer you a position, don't quit your job until you know for sure you have a solid offer from Serco and that you pass all requirements. And make sure you have transportation to attend training that could be out of your way, as some training location are out of town. Accommodation is only offer to people who have to travel 100km or more and its only a few cents they pay you. I wish I never had to make a negative review of this company, but its not worth it if your not perfect. I hope my review won't discourage anyone,  still apply if you wish, it may work out in your favor, but just giving a heads up of what to expect if you do get an offer from Serco.

My experience at this company has been very disappointing. Long-term employees are too comfortable and behave as if they are untouchable. They bully new employees, make you do their work, and make you feel uncomfortable. They talk badly about you in front of customers, and it’s impossible to complain because the managers are friends with these people. The managers don’t act like managers.

The training is the worst I’ve ever received because everyone is too comfortable to care about doing things right. They make mistakes, and that’s okay, but if you make a small mistake, it’s a big deal. You want to do your job well, but no one trains you properly. The people who train you give you wrong information, and you can’t say anything because they are friends with the managers.

There’s no discipline, no management, and no professionalism, especially from certain long-term employees. On top of that, everyone is super noisy and wants to know about your private life. It feels like everyone knows everything you do, even if you don’t want them to. They gossip about you, and the level of unprofessionalism I’ve seen is shocking. It’s a very bad place to work, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.

The job is very easy if you love your job very easy. I really loved my job so much but I wish they had managers that act like managers just hypocrites unprofessional people they don’t care about their jobs

It was so bad, the person they brought in to run the sinking ship of a company LEFT!

Management is a joke, this is strictly a company that only promotes people who you are married too, or related too. Don't ever think that you will advance in this company. The worse HR department in history, unethical and full of "simple" people who have no other experience outside of this one company. So don't think you can bring any concerns to them, because they don't care. ALL the managers there are former MTO workers, who have no clue what it takes to run a successful business, and don't care about there employee's again unless you are a relative, a friend of a friend, or a "favourite" YES they are that simple and childish they don't care about you.

If you are smart, don't think this is a a easy driving examiner gig, or customer service role. You would think the money they put into training people, they would care, but once released to the wolves, just keep your head down get paid for the summer and keep it moving! You will be completely disappointed. There is no job security and you will be wasting your time. Don't be fooled, there is nothing there for you.


My experience with Serco Canada and Serco U.S. has been deeply disappointing. While the initial hiring process seemed promising, it quickly became evident that the company prioritizes its own advantage over the well-being and stability of its employees. Employees are often brought on board, utilized for their skills, and then terminated without valid reasons or prior notice.

Such practices create a toxic work environment, leaving hardworking individuals feeling undervalued and disposable. I strongly urge the company to reevaluate its treatment of employees and prioritize transparency, respect, and ethical employment practices. Prospective employees should approach with caution.”


Work environment stressful, no support from management, extensive travel involved, not fair distribution of workload between staff. Hopefully you'll be a favourite, if not watch out. Management from supervisors to top of company not good. It's a shame, the wages are decent, but no job security. You'll get sent home all the time when it's quiet so don't actually think just because your full time or you have seniority that you will work a full week. You will have to work weekends in the summer, mandatory overtime and sent home in the winter. It's constantly an unpleasant environment. the reviews I read on hear none of them are from Serco DES all different parts of the company from all over the world. so take them with a grain of salt, company is not run the same everywhere.

Employees are a liability to this company. Treated awful. Paycheck was only reward. No room for advancement, management terrible, very very negative environment. No job security, sent home all the time if quiet, and docked pay. Laid off, called back, laid off... Dangerous, stressful job with no support from supervisors. Treated as children, the only thing that matters to this company is making money at any expense. There is a terrible attrition rate which is surprising becausing it does pay decent. But the environment in most of the offices is terrible. I highly recommend choosing another career choice. This is a privatized government contract that does expire this September 2013.

Stress day as soon as it opens. 
You learn a lot in a matter of weeks. BUT is it enough...NO. 

There's always something new. What you learn in training is totally different from what you encounter. 

Is it enough training....? No... CSR are the front core of the company. They provide support thru out the whole process in obtaining an adult Identification or motorize vehicle. 

Culture is great
Meeting new people and helping applicants succeed in getting their license

It's really stressful as well if you don't receive no support or help if you have question. 
Sometimes you tend to forget, and you always need that second opinion to do the job right. 

Advacement...? Not for a long time. you'll need to put in the time for that! 

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Examiner 58 salaries reported	$28.19 per hour
Customer service representative 11 salaries reported	$24.15 per hour
Field operator 1 salary reported	$64,000 per year
Naval architect 2 salaries reported	$98,305 per year
Air traffic controller 12 salaries reported	$59.55 per hour

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