Avanti - Trainee Train Drivers - Recruitment Discussion

[Rob-H]

The Manchester one went very quick. I looked at 06:30 this morning and they had gone.

 

[Chippychips]

Just to confirm, you can have a valid CBI and MMI at the same time.
If you lose a life at this stage, you lose a life in regards to the MMI/CBI specifically.

 

[Aviator88]

Just to confirm, you can have a valid CBI and MMI at the same time.
If you lose a life at this stage, you lose a life in regards to the MMI/CBI specifically.

You sure mate? Everything I've read on here (yeah, I know!) has alluded to only one being able to be present on your file at any one time, I.e. you either have or don't have a structured interview pass, regardless of breed...

 

[Class2ldn]

Yeah im pretty sure you can only have 1 at a time.

 

[MD93]

I created my application yesterday and saved it due to needing the details of one reference but I've now went to submit it this morning and discovered the vaccancy is closed.

Just wondering when would be the next time a recruitment drive would open?

 

[SCDR_WMR]

I created my application yesterday and saved it due to needing the details of one reference but I've now went to submit it this morning and discovered the vaccancy is closed.

Just wondering when would be the next time a recruitment drive would open?

Probably in around 4-6 months time, think last applications were in September/October

 

[MD93]

Probably in around 4-6 months time, think last applications were in September/October

Not too long to wait then, thanks!

 

[NSEWonderer]

The CBI overwrites your MMI from what I'm aware of (which imo shouldn't if successful). Few of my buddies that switched from SE to Avanti mentioned so at least for them. If it didn't then I'd have assumed they'd be able to pass CBI based off their successful MMI result. Critically if you fail CBI then there goes your successful MMI too if you have a previously in date one.

 

[Chippychips]

You sure mate? Everything I've read on here (yeah, I know!) has alluded to only one being able to be present on your file at any one time, I.e. you either have or don't have a structured interview pass, regardless of breed...

Yep I was lead to believe that also from reading posts on here (which tbf is never clear).
But as someone who has passed MMI and CBI i can speak from experience.

 

[Class2ldn]

Have you actually checked that the former is still available if needed ?

 

[Chippychips]

Yep. after passing CBI with avanti, I applied for a position with GTR who use MMI.

This was months after so there wasn't a chance of an unregistered overlap.
They checked my OPC results and confirmed in the DMI and in writing that I did not have to sit the MMI due to having a valid pass on record.

Currently I am in their talent pool awaiting a course date.

Note: im not 100% sure if I failed the CBI, whether or not that would have erased my MMI validity, but I wouldn't think so.

 

[kajojek3232]

There’s 3 locations still up, that’s strange. I’d have thought they’d have been long gone but I have a slight suspicion that so many people have applied in October that they might be receiving applications a bit slower this time.

 

[Sawasdee]

There’s 3 locations still up, that’s strange. I’d have thought they’d have been long gone but I have a slight suspicion that so many people have applied in October that they might be receiving applications a bit slower this time.

They was up for 2 days in October. I think more would have applied this time because they’ve been advertising the opening date for 2 months

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Many people may have been put off by the website crashing on every page. Or they have seen the T&C's and thought about other TOCs

 

[Brum_AVFC]

Did anyone not fill out the qualifications and references part? I didn’t as it was optional, it’s all on my CV, starting to think I’ve looked lazy now.

 

[Aviator88]

Yep. after passing CBI with avanti, I applied for a position with GTR who use MMI.

This was months after so there wasn't a chance of an unregistered overlap.
They checked my OPC results and confirmed in the DMI and in writing that I did not have to sit the MMI due to having a valid pass on record.

Currently I am in their talent pool awaiting a course date.

Note: im not 100% sure if I failed the CBI, whether or not that would have erased my MMI validity, but I wouldn't think so.

Is it possible that some TOCs will accept a structured interview pass regardless of type, if you've already sat it? This may explain your experience. Either way, that's good news!

Did anyone not fill out the qualifications and references part? I didn’t as it was optional, it’s all on my CV, starting to think I’ve looked lazy now.

I did it the other way round - when I applied, it said CVs were only required for qualified drivers, and others should complete the relevant sections of the form. Of course, this may be outdated now...

 

[Jordan1991]

Many people may have been put off by the website crashing on every page. Or they have seen the T&C's and thought about other TOCs

What are the T&C’s with Avanti. I’m awaiting a course date but have yet to find any info on their terms.

 

[BigPondFish]

Applied for Liverpool & Manchester... Not the greatest experience having to click refresh for every page, and I agree that 950 characters made things interesting!

Hopefully the rejections will be swift!!

I applied for Euston this morning and I didn't get the "Why do you want to work for us...?" question.

 

[kajojek3232]

I applied for Euston this morning and I didn't get the "Why do you want to work for us...?" question.

It was definitely there in one of the sections.

 

[redpin]

It wasn't a mandatory question though.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

What are the T&C’s with Avanti. I’m awaiting a course date but have yet to find any info on their terms.

If you search on the forum I'm sure they're on here. I won't go into detail here but they are far worse than some other TOCs (hence the higher base pay), but movement of shifts including am-pm is one of the reasons I won't cross over.

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It wasn't a mandatory question though.

Which I found odd, yet the 'if yes' responses were mandatory even if you selected no.

 

[PK96]

Alas, only one can be 'active' at any time. If you pass an MMI, for instance, it will still 'overwrite' your CBI pass. Also to consider is that the 6 month rule applies, even to a successful interview - if you pass (or fail) the CBI, you are then ineligible to sit the other one for 6 months.

Right... I'm already out of the 6 month rule but I'm still hesitant on letting go of my passed MMI for a passed CBI when I believe majority of TOC/FOC use MMI and not CBI

I actually wonder how many use CBI. Anyone know?

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Any chance anyone knows what the questions are for the CBI? I know the MMI questions are all the same and somewhere in the forum's they are actually stated. What about the CBI?

 

[YingYing]

It won't even let me register on the website, I get "Invalid Login Credentials" when I try to set up an account.

 

[Jordan1991]

If you search on the forum I'm sure they're on here. I won't go into detail here but they are far worse than some other TOCs (hence the higher base pay), but movement of shifts including am-pm is one of the reasons I won't cross over.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Mar 2023 ==


Which I found odd, yet the 'if yes' responses were mandatory even if you selected no.

I literally can’t find anything apart from a picture of a roster for them. It looks pretty packed but I don’t think it’s too bad in all honesty. Is there something else I’m missing apart from the 5-6 day working week?

 

[JimClark]

I literally can’t find anything apart from a picture of a roster for them. It looks pretty packed but I don’t think it’s too bad in all honesty. Is there something else I’m missing apart from the 5-6 day working week?

Can you send me a link to the roster please for info? Thanks

 

[Jordan1991]

https://www.railforums.co.uk/attachments/screenshot_20200121-185222_acrobat-for-samsung-jpg.88027/

This is Manc apparently

 

[StaGuardDriver]

I literally can’t find anything apart from a picture of a roster for them. It looks pretty packed but I don’t think it’s too bad in all honesty. Is there something else I’m missing apart from the 5-6 day working week?

Think I’ve read somewhere on here that you only get 5 days holiday entitlement per year plus your standard block weeks (4 or 5). Plus you get a week of spares where they can move your rest day at short notice

 

[Jordan1991]

Think I’ve read somewhere on here that you only get 5 days holiday entitlement per year plus your standard block weeks (4 or 5). Plus you get a week of spares where they can move your rest day at short notice

Apparently it’s 5 weeks, plus 5 days ad hoc, then you get an extra day for each full year of employment

 

[Sorcerer]

The Manchester vacancy is back up on my end for anyone who missed out on it. I do wonder why they may have taken it down in the first place though.

Did anyone not fill out the qualifications and references part? I didn’t as it was optional, it’s all on my CV, starting to think I’ve looked lazy now.

Nah, when I applied in October I only did the basic details with a few brief qualifications. If anything I would expect that they'd want applications to be as small yet clear as possible given the amount of applications they will receive for each depot. I think you have about as good a chance as anybody to be honest.

Probably in around 4-6 months time, think last applications were in September/October

Not too long to wait then, thanks!

I've heard differently. I have heard that Avanti will be unlikely to recruit for trainee train drivers again this year. The October vacancy said that they were planning to recruit again around this time, whereas these vacancies seem to say nothing of the sort. Assuming both October and February trainees along with the qualified drivers recruited earlier this year will be placed on the same courses or roughly around the same time, I don't think there will be much need for further trainees for a while, especially not at smaller depots like Liverpool, Polmadie and Edinburgh.

 

[FManc]

What are the T&C’s with Avanti. I’m awaiting a course date but have yet to find any info on their terms.

https://www.railforums.co.uk/attachments/screenshot_20200121-185222_acrobat-for-samsung-jpg.88027/

This is Manc apparently

That’s a few years out of date. It’s a 60 week link now but it does follow the same principle - week of RDs every 5 weeks etc.

The T&Cs at Avanti are worse compared to other TOCs but the salary is higher which offsets it.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Mar 2023 ==

Not too long to wait then, thanks!

I don’t think there’ll be any further large scale recruitment campaigns this year. Manchester has re-opened but who knows for how long.