Testing procedure

[Paul1977]

Hi , new on here can anyone help me ? recently got through interview and invited to tpsychometric tests next week so I was over the moon then only few hours later northern rang me and said I cannot come as I took the tests in march with TPE, I was told by tpe that if it was a different train company that I could resit within the 6 months that's why I applied to northern,

who is in the right here as I am totally gutted and devastated really want to work as a conductor its all I want to do... first group 100% assured me I could resit if a different company but northern are adamant I cannot and I have to wait until September now to sit the tests, gutted

any help or advice please???? :cry:

 

[Bluebri]

Both Northern and FTPE use OPC to carry out the testing. The rules are:

If you fail any aspect of the test, you cannot sit the test again for 6 months.

You may only fail the test twice.

If you have passed the tests, then there is nothing stopping you applying for another TOC/FOC within the 6 months. However, FTPE use the enhanced scoring system on the test, so if you sat the 'normal' test for another TOC/FOC, this would negate you being able to take the test again within 6 months, despite passing the test.

I hope that answers your question.

 

[falcon]

It's just ridiculous. All this testing, it has just become a silly game for HR departments and assessment centers to keep themselves in jobs.How was it possible for BR in the 70's to do a half hour interview and half hour basic english /maths test for a Guard or Traction trainee and now advertisements are put out 6 months in advance for Drivers jobs with endless assessments and time limits that are totally inconsistent!.A massive inefficient gravy train with an agenda not solely for the purpose of finding people to employ.

I symapathise with anyone trying to get a job on the railway now.:cry:

 

[455driver]

How was it possible for BR in the 70's to do a half hour interview and half hour basic english /maths test for a Guard or Traction trainee.

Probably because nobody wanted to work on the railways back then as the pay was rubbish, now the pay is better everyone wants to work on the railways so there are 1000s applying for every job.
Bearing in mind the 1000s that are now applying what do you suggest they do to filter the wheat from the chaff and get down to manageable numbers of applicants?

 

[Yew]

Bearing in mind the 1000s that are now applying what do you suggest they do to filter the wheat from the chaff and get down to manageable numbers of applicants?

Takeshi's Castle?

 

[Legzr1]

Cutting wages to £86 a week would help.

You heard it here first...

 

[Journeyman]

It's just ridiculous. All this testing, it has just become a silly game for HR departments and assessment centers to keep themselves in jobs.How was it possible for BR in the 70's to do a half hour interview and half hour basic english /maths test for a Guard or Traction trainee and now advertisements are put out 6 months in advance for Drivers jobs with endless assessments and time limits that are totally inconsistent!.A massive inefficient gravy train with an agenda not solely for the purpose of finding people to employ.

I symapathise with anyone trying to get a job on the railway now.:cry:

No, it's not ridiculous. It's difficult to get the job for a reason, part of it being that so many people apply that the railway can afford to get the very best people, but the biggest aspect is making sure they recruit people with the very best chances of successfully completing the training and doing the job properly. I've sat the tests myself, and I can see exactly why they're there.

They're not going away anytime soon, so if you want to do the job, you have to pass them. End of.

 

[SPADTrap]

It's just ridiculous. All this testing, it has just become a silly game for HR departments and assessment centers to keep themselves in jobs.How was it possible for BR in the 70's to do a half hour interview and half hour basic english /maths test for a Guard or Traction trainee and now advertisements are put out 6 months in advance for Drivers jobs with endless assessments and time limits that are totally inconsistent!.A massive inefficient gravy train with an agenda not solely for the purpose of finding people to employ.

I symapathise with anyone trying to get a job on the railway now.:cry:

That's loser talk dude. Get a grip

 

[Dave1987]

It's just ridiculous. All this testing, it has just become a silly game for HR departments and assessment centers to keep themselves in jobs.How was it possible for BR in the 70's to do a half hour interview and half hour basic english /maths test for a Guard or Traction trainee and now advertisements are put out 6 months in advance for Drivers jobs with endless assessments and time limits that are totally inconsistent!.A massive inefficient gravy train with an agenda not solely for the purpose of finding people to employ.

I symapathise with anyone trying to get a job on the railway now.:cry:

Back in the 70's I've heard many a story of drivers leaving a new second man on his first day on the job to drive a 2000 tonne freight train because the driver wanted to get home early or get down the pub early, and plenty of other stories along similar lines. Just because back in those days you anyone could get a driving job regardless of whether they had the aptitude for it doesn't mean that the modern day testing is bad. It just means safety standards have greatly improved since those days, and only people with the right aptitude get to drive trains.

 

[TheEdge]

Takeshi's Castle?

Yes, this.

 

[Fred Dinenage]

Back in the 70's I've heard many a story of drivers leaving a new second man on his first day on the job to drive a 2000 tonne freight train because the driver wanted to get home early or get down the pub early, and plenty of other stories along similar lines. Just because back in those days you anyone could get a driving job regardless of whether they had the aptitude for it doesn't mean that the modern day testing is bad. It just means safety standards have greatly improved since those days, and only people with the right aptitude get to drive trains.

Same as the industry i'm in..my apprentice years had long spells of going to the pub during work hours or you weren't " one of the lads " and would be shunned or blacked, people drunk on callout duties,etc. Unfortunately our selection process has got worse and apprentices are a rarity these days with labourers being upskilled instead with inadequate training. I'm glad care and consideration is taken in employing rail staff and if i'm not good enough then so be it.

 

[johnsonr380]

Takeshi's Castle?

That's just brilliant, no way I'd be waiting fir a course now though.

 

[387star]

Both Northern and FTPE use OPC to carry out the testing. The rules are:

If you fail any aspect of the test, you cannot sit the test again for 6 months.

You may only fail the test twice.

If you have passed the tests, then there is nothing stopping you applying for another TOC/FOC within the 6 months. However, FTPE use the enhanced scoring system on the test, so if you sat the 'normal' test for another TOC/FOC, this would negate you being able to take the test again within 6 months, despite passing the test.

I hope that answers your question.

You can only fail twice... this driver or guard or both?
If the tests change everyone gets a new shot?
Doesn't it depend what part is failed on? Some tests are toc specific

 

[47802]

It's just ridiculous. All this testing, it has just become a silly game for HR departments and assessment centers to keep themselves in jobs.How was it possible for BR in the 70's to do a half hour interview and half hour basic english /maths test for a Guard or Traction trainee and now advertisements are put out 6 months in advance for Drivers jobs with endless assessments and time limits that are totally inconsistent!.A massive inefficient gravy train with an agenda not solely for the purpose of finding people to employ.

I symapathise with anyone trying to get a job on the railway now.:cry:

I totally agree, While I appreciate the Railways get many candidates these days I think some selection processes in many industries are getting over the top, and wonder if they actually achieve any better results, but of course they do help justify the existence of HR department.

I think its fair to say now that I have got to the age where if it means an over the top recruitment process then I just don't bother applying.

I had a telephone interview a few months ago conducted by a HR Girl who sounded about 18, was probably a 25 year old graduate who thinks she knows everything but in reality knows sweet FA.

 

[A-driver]

I totally agree, While I appreciate the Railways get many candidates these days I think some selection processes in many industries are getting over the top, and wonder if they actually achieve any better results, but of course they do help justify the existence of HR department.



I think its fair to say now that I have got to the age where if it means an over the top recruitment process then I just don't bother applying.



I had a telephone interview a few months ago conducted by a HR Girl who sounded about 18, was probably a 25 year old graduate who thinks she knows everything but in reality knows sweet FA.

How is the procedure OTT? An initial application form, possibly a telephone interview, day of tests (well more like a half day), interview, medical, that's it.

The cost of training up someone into a role like a driver is huge so why risk loosing money on someone who won't complete the course or won't stick the job long enough to get a return?

Considering these types of jobs see individuals taking responsibility of thousands of lives on a daily basis I see no reason why an interview and day if tests carefully constructed to assess ones ability is OTT.

Funnily enough, those who complain about the process are generally the ones who are unable to pass them.

 

[carriageline]

And the usual snipe at "she sounded like she was 18, probably a graduate", in a role like recruitment who cares? People need to start somewhere, eventually we will run out of 'old hands' you know!

And plus,fair play to the girl for
getting a decent job at such a young age. It's hard out there, and I know plenty of people at a similar age not working at all. Plenty of adults I know, who 30 years ago (when they were in their early 20s) worked in 'less skilled' jobs such as factory and the like?

Some people are just negative and borderline cynical


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[SPADTrap]

I totally agree, While I appreciate the Railways get many candidates these days I think some selection processes in many industries are getting over the top, and wonder if they actually achieve any better results, but of course they do help justify the existence of HR department.

I think its fair to say now that I have got to the age where if it means an over the top recruitment process then I just don't bother applying.

I had a telephone interview a few months ago conducted by a HR Girl who sounded about 18, was probably a 25 year old graduate who thinks she knows everything but in reality knows sweet FA.

This just sounds like self comforting justification as to why you failed?

 

[TheVicLine]

Takeshi's Castle?

What a great idea. Although I would have failed the selection process had it been in place I would gladly swap my job for a chance of being chased around by the Imperial Guards in a modified golf buggy firing water pistols at each other.

 

[Andy-mc]

Takeshi's Castle?

Best idea ever, although I don't think I'd do very well

 

[455driver]

I had a telephone interview a few months ago conducted by a HR Girl who sounded about 18, was probably a 25 year old graduate who thinks she knows everything but in reality knows sweet FA.

You could tell all that from her voice on the telephone could you?
I think your posts says much more about you than it does about her, if she is 18 in such a role then she has done well.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

You can only fail twice... this driver or guard or both?
If the tests change everyone gets a new shot?
Doesn't it depend what part is failed on? Some tests are toc specific

You can fail the drivers twice and the guards twice, apparently the count has been reset for everyone that previously failed the old tests but I cant find anything that stipulates this but it does seem to be accepted.

 

[SPADTrap]

You could tell all that from her voice on the telephone could you?
I think your posts says much more about you than it does about her, if she is 18 in such a role then she has done well.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


You can fail the drivers twice and the guards twice, apparently the count has been reset for everyone that previously failed the old tests but I cant find anything that stipulates this but it does seem to be accepted.

You can only fail once and still have a chance of a job. If you fail the first time you have to pass the second otherwise that is it. You can fail twice but that would render your chance of getting a job gone I guess. There is no third attempt.

Despite passing the old system I had to resit the new for the job I'm about to start so consistency with accepting old passes/resetting lives doesn't seem to be there! TOC's discretion I heard.

 

[47802]

How is the procedure OTT? An initial application form, possibly a telephone interview, day of tests (well more like a half day), interview, medical, that's it.

The cost of training up someone into a role like a driver is huge so why risk loosing money on someone who won't complete the course or won't stick the job long enough to get a return?

Considering these types of jobs see individuals taking responsibility of thousands of lives on a daily basis I see no reason why an interview and day if tests carefully constructed to assess ones ability is OTT.

Funnily enough, those who complain about the process are generally the ones who are unable to pass them.

Not OTT if you think so, yes you also missed depending on the TOC having to fill in extensive application form instead of a CV, possible online tests, and if you do get through all that possibly been stuck in a talent pool wondering if you will be actually given a job or not.

Yes I accept that for a drivers position you would need some kind of testing but am not sure the recruitment procedure for some other railway positions or many position's in other industries really warrants it but of course the pendulum is in the employee's hand at the moment. On the one occasion I was involved in recruitment for an IT person HR and some of my colleagues wanted to do various tests, although I didn't believe they really were of much benefit I also argued as well about some people who didn't perform well at interview being discarded, because from my own experience I'm not particularly good at interviews, and my comment was do we want somebody who is good at interviews or do we want somebody who can actually do the job?

 

[SPADTrap]

Not OTT if you think so, yes you also missed depending on the TOC having to fill in extensive application form instead of a CV, possible online tests, and if you do get through all that possibly been stuck in a talent pool wondering if you will be actually given a job or not.

Yes I accept that for a drivers position you would need some kind of testing but am not sure the recruitment procedure for some other railway positions or many position's in other industries really warrants it but of course the pendulum is in the employee's hand at the moment. On the one occasion I was involved in recruitment for an IT person HR and some of my colleagues wanted to do various tests, although I didn't believe they really were of much benefit I also argued as well about some people who didn't perform well at interview being discarded, because from my own experience I'm not particularly good at interviews, and my comment was do we want somebody who is good at interviews or do we want somebody who can actually do the job?

You can't compare IT jobs with driving a train.

 

[47802]

You can't compare IT jobs with driving a train.

I never said you could, but not all railway vacancies are driving jobs, and the company I worked involved working in a steel works which is also a safety critical environment.

 

[SPADTrap]

I never said you could, but not all railway vacancies are driving jobs, and the company I worked involved working in a steel works which is also a safety critical environment.

Have you taken the assessments for anything railway recently?

 

[youngboy]

Hi , new on here can anyone help me ? recently got through interview and invited to tpsychometric tests next week so I was over the moon then only few hours later northern rang me and said I cannot come as I took the tests in march with TPE, I was told by tpe that if it was a different train company that I could resit within the 6 months that's why I applied to northern,

who is in the right here as I am totally gutted and devastated really want to work as a conductor its all I want to do... first group 100% assured me I could resit if a different company but northern are adamant I cannot and I have to wait until September now to sit the tests, gutted

any help or advice please???? :cry:

When I did the tests in January the woman from the OPC stressed numerous times that if you fail the assessments today you will NOT be able to apply for any other TOC within the next six months, she even said that if you do apply the TOC checks with the OPC before the sift and you will not get through and all you will be doing is wasting the HR depts time. I took this to mean that they won't look kindly on time waster's.

 

[Paul1977]

When I did the tests in January the woman from the OPC stressed numerous times that if you fail the assessments today you will NOT be able to apply for any other TOC within the next six months, she even said that if you do apply the TOC checks with the OPC before the sift and you will not get through and all you will be doing is wasting the HR depts time. I took this to mean that they won't look kindly on time waster's.

hi thanks for reply

yes I was told also that it was 6 months but told that if was with another toc then can resit under the 6 months, turns out I was given bad advice by a new starter at recruitment, gutted. she couldn't apologise enough but I am left feeling so sick and deflated now its the only career I want to do. Have to wait till September onwards now for a test centre to come up for conductor at Sheffield if it does even? feels million miles away, all I can think about at the moment.

Do you know if I have to resit all tests or just one I failed on? was told just one I failed but is this more bad advice I wonder????

thanks

 

[youngboy]

hi thanks for reply

yes I was told also that it was 6 months but told that if was with another toc then can resit under the 6 months, turns out I was given bad advice by a new starter at recruitment, gutted. she couldn't apologise enough but I am left feeling so sick and deflated now its the only career I want to do. Have to wait till September onwards now for a test centre to come up for conductor at Sheffield if it does even? feels million miles away, all I can think about at the moment.

Do you know if I have to resit all tests or just one I failed on? was told just one I failed but is this more bad advice I wonder????

thanks

I think it just depends on the TOC mate, from what I've read on here one TOC might accept the results, another might just ask you to resit the lot. It all seems reasonably open to interpretation TOC to TOC, best bet is apply when the date comes and then contact HR and ask them, they're the only people who can tell you for definite.