Trainee Train Drivers (Talent Bank) - Avanti - Multiple Locations (02/10/22)

[Sorcerer]

i think you should calm down and just make a decision which will suit you best to be successful on the day! Surely that’s worth paying an extra few quid for the job you are going for?

I apologise for deciding immediately before you made this post, but yes, it's definitely worth the few extra quid now I reckon.

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One of the qualities looked for in a train driver is the ability to risk assess quickly, so treat it as a risk assessment. Pros of taking the train on the day - it's cheaper and will motivate you further. Cons - the risk of not making it on time (and hence missing the assessment) is > ~ 5% (using standard train delay metrics), and you may arrive slightly more stressed. Pros of staying in a hotel the night before - you'll be well rested, stress will be kept to a minimum and the risk of not making it on time is 0%. Cons of the hotel - it's more expensive and your sleep may be of a lower quality due to unfamiliar surroundings/circumstances out of your control. Choose based on your individual approach to risk and preferences!

Based on the fact that I'm comfortable in hotels (I've been on holiday a few times for longer periods of time so I'm confident in this judgement), combined with the likely anxiety of possible delays on the day, I think in this case it would be better to pay extra for a hotel to ensure I'll be well rested and keep stress to a minimum and allow myself to arrive on time without relying on a train journey.

 

[Aviator88]

I apologise for deciding immediately before you made this post, but yes, it's definitely worth the few extra quid now I reckon.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Nov 2022 ==


Based on the fact that I'm comfortable in hotels (I've been on holiday a few times for longer periods of time so I'm confident in this judgement), combined with the likely anxiety of possible delays on the day, I think in this case it would be better to pay extra for a hotel to ensure I'll be well rested and keep stress to a minimum and allow myself to arrive on time without relying on a train journey.

It sounds to me like your decision is made

 

[Peelay]

You should only be doing the tests on the email. If you pass those I believe you get through to stage 2 which will be computer based tests and interview.

Stage 2 will be a different date i believe

Thank you

 

[Sorcerer]

It sounds to me like your decision is made

Yes indeed. In a way contemplating this decision has been good practice for decisiveness and risk assessments too, so at least I have that going for me as well!

 

[Diesel1985]

Evening all.

How are people contacting HR to reschedule their assessment day? I've replied to the OPC email but not received a response.

Thanks

 

[Neatro]

So far I have been unsure because of several factors regarding this decision, so I'm not necessarily fighting it, I'm just trying to assess the risks involved. Yet strangely enough actually writing out the idea of gambling has made me a lot more confident in opting for the hotel option. After all, aside from the need to be decisive, good train drivers don't really take risks and always act in a safety-conscious manner. Therefore in this case I think it's probably better to be safe than sorry and not make risky decisions. Not quite comparable I know, but I think that the principle is at least very similar.


Thank you for your input. The emboldened point has helped solidify my decision!

I'll start looking for rooms immediately.

If it makes your decision any easier my assessment is on the 23rd and it's about an hours drive away from me.

I'm going to have a really early night, drive up earlier and then relax until the time.

You could book a hotel or you could travel it's entirely your decision

 

[MatthewLdn]

Just been informed by OPC that I only have to sit the CBI as my previous assessments meet Avanti’s enhanced standard, which is quite a relief. Time to knuckle down preparing for this CBI. Good luck to all sitting their assessments today!

 

[Whacker]

Just been informed by OPC that I only have to sit the CBI as my previous assessments meet Avanti’s enhanced standard, which is quite a relief. Time to knuckle down preparing for this CBI. Good luck to all sitting their assessments today!

Same here

 

[Jordan1991]

Hi all, I’ve got my assessment day on the 29th. I’m slightly apprehensive about the enhanced pass mark even though I’ve done well thus far. Does anyone know whether - if we were to pass at say national level, which is not to Avanti’s standard and would be sent home, would that count as a life lost or can you use that pass in other TOCs that aren’t enhanced? I’d feel a lot better if that were the case.

Thanks

 

[AverageJoe]

Hi all, I’ve got my assessment day on the 29th. I’m slightly apprehensive about the enhanced pass mark even though I’ve done well thus far. Does anyone know whether - if we were to pass at say national level, which is not to Avanti’s standard and would be sent home, would that count as a life lost or can you use that pass in other TOCs that aren’t enhanced? I’d feel a lot better if that were the case.

Thanks

You can use the national standard pass with another TOC that accepts that.

You’d also get another bash at Avanti in the future.

 

[Jordan1991]

You can use the national standard pass with another TOC that accepts that.

You’d also get another bash at Avanti in the future.

Fantastic, that takes some pressure off. I just didn’t know if I wanted to risk a ‘life’ having a crack at enhanced if it meant I was down to just one more attempt across the board.

Thank you

 

[AverageJoe]

Fantastic, that takes some pressure off. I just didn’t know if I wanted to risk a ‘life’ having a crack at enhanced if it meant I was down to just one more attempt across the board.

Thank you

Well you are still risking a life since since you may not pass to national standard. Hopefully you do.

I went in with the same attitude as you though, gave it my best but didn’t rush anything as I at least wanted a national standard pass.

 

[Jordan1991]

Well you are still risking a life since since you may not pass to national standard. Hopefully you do.

I went in with the same attitude as you though, gave it my best but didn’t rush anything as I at least wanted a national standard pass.

No of course. I am confident in my ability to reach national standard, but the enhanced standard could be anyones guess. If I didn’t reach national I could accept that I wasn’t good enough and move on, however if I lost a life due to not being a higher standard then I’d feel more hard done by if it prevented me from applying at other TOCs. Thanks for clearing it up for me.

And yes that’s a good approach to have and I think I’ll do the same, cautious approach. Have you had your assessment morning then? How did you find it?

 

[AverageJoe]

No of course. I am confident in my ability to reach national standard, but the enhanced standard could be anyones guess. If I didn’t reach national I could accept that I wasn’t good enough and move on, however if I lost a life due to not being a higher standard then I’d feel more hard done by if it prevented me from applying at other TOCs. Thanks for clearing it up for me.

And yes that’s a good approach to have and I think I’ll do the same, cautious approach. Have you had your assessment morning then? How did you find it?

Mine were a year ago with a different TOC, I’m out there driving now.

 

[Jordan1991]

Mine were a year ago with a different TOC, I’m out there driving now.

Ah right nice one! Were you an internal applicant out of curiosity? Just wondering my chances if I progress any further, as I’m an outsider.

 

[AverageJoe]

Ah right nice one! Were you an internal applicant out of curiosity? Just wondering my chances if I progress any further, as I’m an outsider.

Nope, I was nothing to do with the railway.
There was some internal applicants on the same assessment day as me and they didn’t pass.
So you have as much chance as anyone.

 

[Jordan1991]

That’s great! Did you complete the enhanced tests or just the normal ones?

 

[AverageJoe]

That’s great! Did you complete the enhanced tests or just the normal ones?

Enhanced

 

[Jordan1991]

Enhanced

Well done, hopefully I’ll be joining you! Nice chatting to you

 

[AuraXB]

How did you get on those who went today?

 

[BlueMike26]

Hi all, I’ve got my assessment day on the 29th. I’m slightly apprehensive about the enhanced pass mark even though I’ve done well thus far. Does anyone know whether - if we were to pass at say national level, which is not to Avanti’s standard and would be sent home, would that count as a life lost or can you use that pass in other TOCs that aren’t enhanced? I’d feel a lot better if that were the case.

Thanks

See ya there mate.

 

[Jordan1991]

See ya there mate.

Good luck Mike

 

[Dec718]

How did you get on those who went today?

I did my assessments yesterday.. it was tough going but that was to be expected! All the practice material they provide in the PDF is all you need for these tests and will put you in good stead. I was there for 3 hours for all the tests to be completed. You do not get sent home if you ‘fail’ a test.. you will sit all tests you’ve been sent in the email and OPC will contact you within the next 7 working days confirming whether you passed or failed and then will invite you back for stage 2 which will be the computer tests + CBI.

Best advice I can give to everyone is just remain calm.. there’s nothing there to trick you out. As long as you’ve put the practice in you’ll be fine

 

[StaGuardDriver]

I did my assessments yesterday.. it was tough going but that was to be expected! All the practice material they provide in the PDF is all you need for these tests and will put you in good stead. I was there for 3 hours for all the tests to be completed. You do not get sent home if you ‘fail’ a test.. you will sit all tests you’ve been sent in the email and OPC will contact you within the next 7 working days confirming whether you passed or failed and then will invite you back for stage 2 which will be the computer tests + CBI.

Best advice I can give to everyone is just remain calm.. there’s nothing there to trick you out. As long as you’ve put the practice in you’ll be fine

Great advice. Can I ask did they ask you to write any answers down for your CBI?

 

[Jordan1991]

I did my assessments yesterday.. it was tough going but that was to be expected! All the practice material they provide in the PDF is all you need for these tests and will put you in good stead. I was there for 3 hours for all the tests to be completed. You do not get sent home if you ‘fail’ a test.. you will sit all tests you’ve been sent in the email and OPC will contact you within the next 7 working days confirming whether you passed or failed and then will invite you back for stage 2 which will be the computer tests + CBI.

Best advice I can give to everyone is just remain calm.. there’s nothing there to trick you out. As long as you’ve put the practice in you’ll be fine

Good advice there Dec! Great to hear that you passed to the next stage. Are they still using the glop in TRP? Do you get given a date for the next stage on the day?

 

[AverageJoe]

Great advice. Can I ask did they ask you to write any answers down for your CBI?

He said the CBI is the next stage.

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Good advice there Dec! Great to hear that you passed to the next stage. Are they still using the glop in TRP? Do you get given a date for the next stage on the day?

Where did he say he passed? He did them yesterday and said will get results in the next 7 days.

Did no one read it properly lol

 

[StaGuardDriver]

He said the CBI is the next stage.

Yes I read that but in a previous assessment day I’ve been given the questions that they will ask you in your Cbi/mmi on the day of the paper tests. That’s what I was asking.

 

[BlueMike26]

Good luck Mike

You too.

 

[Jordan1991]

He said the CBI is the next stage.

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Where did he say he passed? He did them yesterday and said will get results in the next 7 days.

Did no one read it properly lol

Looks like I did miss read it, whoops! Ha

 

[karl grindrod]

Anyone else doing their assessments today?