Avanti - Trainee Train Drivers - Recruitment Discussion

[JohnnyOne]

Is the next step to wait to be offered a course, then do a medical and sign contracts then hand notice in?

 

[Ses16]

Got the confirmation. I've passed!!! So happy. Thank you for everyone's support and messages

Told ya! Congratulations mate!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Sep 2023 ==

Is the next step to wait to be offered a course, then do a medical and sign contracts then hand notice in?

Yes that’s pretty much it, they said offers will be made in October/November. So keep your phone on loud and wait for the call.

 

[Ned21]

That sounds good.

 

[Harvinder]

There's 2 instructors in Crewe and 1 in Polmadie. Max of 10 people on each course and max of 3 courses in the year for each instructor. Realistically, more like 7-8 courses split across the 3 instructors, so 70-80 places next year. This is all speculation of course.

Thank you, this makes sense and is sound realistically.

 

[Ned21]

I can't wait to get started.

 

[Bus mechanic]

There's 2 instructors in Crewe and 1 in Polmadie. Max of 10 people on each course and max of 3 courses in the year for each instructor. Realistically, more like 7-8 courses split across the 3 instructors, so 70-80 places next year. This is all speculation of course.

Sounds realistic

 

[FManc]

There's 2 instructors in Crewe and 1 in Polmadie. Max of 10 people on each course and max of 3 courses in the year for each instructor. Realistically, more like 7-8 courses split across the 3 instructors, so 70-80 places next year. This is all speculation of course.

Just to note they do also run qualified courses as well. They are considerably shorter in time - approx 4 weeks I think, but logistically it does impact the number of trainee courses.

 

[Harvinder]

Me

I can't wait to get started.

Me too how exciting!

 

[HogwartsExpres]

Anyone know what happens at the medical?

 

[Harvinder]

Anyone know what happens at the medical?

ECG, hearing test, colour blindness test, blood pressure, some physical stretches, urine test and eyesight test

 

[Jquarterz]

Guys correct me if I'm wrong but from what I understood from the email offers for the courses would be made based on expiry dates of your opc test results amongst other things not first come first serve?

 

[RustyRuss]

Congratulations, you passed stage 1 I assume!

Thanks mate, yes invited to stage 2 in October. Very pleased with myself but well aware theres bigger hurdles ahead.

 

[Bus mechanic]

Guys correct me if I'm wrong but from what I understood from the email offers for the courses would be made based on expiry dates of your opc test results amongst other things not first come first serve?

Yes but i dont think anyone will be waiting years for the opc testing to expire. Will most like go on depot priority

 

[Harvinder]

Yes but i dont think anyone will be waiting years for the opc testing to expire. Will most like go on depot priority

Yes Depot priority

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Sep 2023 ==

Thanks mate, yes invited to stage 2 in October. Very pleased with myself but well aware theres bigger hurdles ahead.

Lovely! Now you must prepare for the computer tests and the grilling interview

 

[Scrambled Eggs]

Guys correct me if I'm wrong but from what I understood from the email offers for the courses would be made based on expiry dates of your opc test results amongst other things not first come first serve?

I think it will be a combination of a few things. Depot priority will be number 1. If there’s too many people for the first course for that depot I think they will factor in OPC results to see if the person(s) can wait for the next course without their results expiring if that makes sense. I did see something about DMI results too so not sure how that plays a part….

 

[Ses16]

I think it will be a combination of a few things. Depot priority will be number 1. If there’s too many people for the first course for that depot I think they will factor in OPC results to see if the person(s) can wait for the next course without their results expiring if that makes sense. I did see something about DMI results too so not sure how that plays a part….

Yes I would assume this too, it’s no secret Euston is the priority depot to fill. Also not forgetting there’s still Euston applicants awaiting course places from the 2022 intake.

But I wouldn’t worry about the DMI results, if you’ve passed, you’ve passed.

 

[Jquarterz]

I think it will be a combination of a few things. Depot priority will be number 1. If there’s too many people for the first course for that depot I think they will factor in OPC results to see if the person(s) can wait for the next course without their results expiring if that makes sense. I did see something about DMI results too so not sure how that plays a part….

Cheers mate yeah that makes more sense

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Sep 2023 ==

Yes I would assume this too, it’s no secret Euston is the priority depot to fill. Also not forgetting there’s still Euston applicants awaiting course places from the 2022 intake.

But I wouldn’t worry about the DMI results, if you’ve passed, you’ve passed.

Do you know why the 2022 intake had to wait so long?

 

[Ses16]

Cheers mate yeah that makes more sense

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Sep 2023 ==


Do you know why the 2022 intake had to wait so long?

Because there’s so many of them, just like us lot from this intake.

I want to be hopeful and realistic but if any of the 2023 lot get on to Jan or Feb course for 2024 I’ll be happily surprised.

 

[Shinigami]

Because there’s so many of them, just like us lot from this intake.

I want to be hopeful and realistic but if any of the 2023 lot get on to Jan or Feb course for 2024 I’ll be happily surprised.

Yeah I doubt it, if I’m honest I’d be surprised if anyone from this recruitment gets on before 2025 as I am part of the 2022 recruitment and I was told I wouldn’t be on until 2024 AND that there were still people ahead of me so I might not even be on one of those January February ones. And it’s first come first serve so chances are there are some people in the group that won’t see a training course until 2025 or even 2026 depending on recruitment needs

 

[Harvinder]

Yeah I doubt it, if I’m honest I’d be surprised if anyone from this recruitment gets on before 2025 as I am part of the 2022 recruitment and I was told I wouldn’t be on until 2024 AND that there were still people ahead of me so I might not even be on one of those January February ones. And it’s first come first serve so chances are there are some people in the group that won’t see a training course until 2025 or even 2026 depending on recruitment needs

I doubt this, I was told by the interviewers that it will be definitely in 2024.

 

[Shinigami]

I doubt this, I was told by the interviewers that it will be definitely in 2024.

I would take that with a massive handful of salt considering that there were people part of the recruitment before mine that only got put on a course recently who had passed their DMI over 2 years ago. The railway is notorious for making people wait. I work on the railway already and 2 drivers that started at the same time as me had been waiting 5 years from being offered the role to being on a course. This is VERY common practise. I’m actually in shock at the expectations in the group. Just look back at a few previous recruitment drives and see how long it takes people in most instances. Keep your expectations low and that way you won’t be disappointed. One of the drivers from a recruitment before me who works there told me that it would “definitely be this year cause that’s what recruitment told him” (that was at the start of this year) so clearly he was given wrong information by recruitment as well. Just be patient. The time will come. If you get on next year then amazing but don’t be frustrated or surprised if it’s the following year is all I’m saying. Some people in here haven’t even done their in person tests yet, let alone DMIs. It’s a long process and that’s ok

 

[Bus mechanic]

I would take that with a massive handful of salt considering that there were people part of the recruitment before mine that only got put on a course recently who had passed their DMI over 2 years ago. The railway is notorious for making people wait. I work on the railway already and 2 drivers that started at the same time as me had been waiting 5 years from being offered the role to being on a course. This is VERY common practise. I’m actually in shock at the expectations in the group. Just look back at a few previous recruitment drives and see how long it takes people in most instances. Keep your expectations low and that way you won’t be disappointed. One of the drivers from a recruitment before me who works there told me that it would “definitely be this year cause that’s what recruitment told him” (that was at the start of this year) so clearly he was given wrong information by recruitment as well. Just be patient. The time will come. If you get on next year then amazing but don’t be frustrated or surprised if it’s the following year is all I’m saying. Some people in here haven’t even done their in person tests yet, let alone DMIs. It’s a long process and that’s ok

I don’t think anyone knows tbh so we will see and i, like the others are staying optimistic for a 2024 start.

 

[Harvinder]

I would take that with a massive handful of salt considering that there were people part of the recruitment before mine that only got put on a course recently who had passed their DMI over 2 years ago. The railway is notorious for making people wait. I work on the railway already and 2 drivers that started at the same time as me had been waiting 5 years from being offered the role to being on a course. This is VERY common practise. I’m actually in shock at the expectations in the group. Just look back at a few previous recruitment drives and see how long it takes people in most instances. Keep your expectations low and that way you won’t be disappointed. One of the drivers from a recruitment before me who works there told me that it would “definitely be this year cause that’s what recruitment told him” (that was at the start of this year) so clearly he was given wrong information by recruitment as well. Just be patient. The time will come. If you get on next year then amazing but don’t be frustrated or surprised if it’s the following year is all I’m saying. Some people in here haven’t even done their in person tests yet, let alone DMIs. It’s a long process and that’s ok

I understand your point, but the interviewers are certain that it will be next year, I don't know why would they lie? They were serious.

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

I don’t think anyone knows tbh so we will see and i, like the others are staying optimistic for a 2024 start.

Yes

 

[Sorcerer]

I understand your point, but the interviewers are certain that it will be next year, I don't know why would they lie? They were serious.

It won't necessarily be them lying to you, because then that would mean they're intent on deceiving you. In actuality there may simply be a chance that you don't end up on one of the 2024 courses because you aren't assigned to one of them. As far as I know there isn't any particular method of assigning candidates since some from the 2022 drive are already on courses while others have waited years, and because of the small recruitment teams sometimes being unable to manage such a large field of candidates, it's not been unknown for operators recruit for new trainee train drivers despite having a talent bank (but luckily I have heard that Avanti aren't that bad in that regard). It's fine to be optimistic and confident, but managing your expectations is important when it comes to railway recruitment. By all means I hope you do get yourself on a course next year like you're hoping, just be careful not to get too hopeful or the disappointment will be a lot more crushing.

 

[Harvinder]

It won't necessarily be them lying to you, because then that would mean they're intent on deceiving you. In actuality there may simply be a chance that you don't end up on one of the 2024 courses because you aren't assigned to one of them. As far as I know there isn't any particular method of assigning candidates since some from the 2022 drive are already on courses while others have waited years, and because of the small recruitment teams sometimes being unable to manage such a large field of candidates, it's not been unknown for operators recruit for new trainee train drivers despite having a talent bank (but luckily I have heard that Avanti aren't that bad in that regard). It's fine to be optimistic and confident, but managing your expectations is important when it comes to railway recruitment. By all means I hope you do get yourself on a course next year like you're hoping, just be careful not to get too hopeful or the disappointment will be a lot more crushing.

We shall see then, thank you!

 

[Sorcerer]

We shall see then, thank you!

Fingers crossed for everyone waiting!

 

[Harvinder]

Thanks guys for giving a better perspective!

 

[Ses16]

Yeah I doubt it, if I’m honest I’d be surprised if anyone from this recruitment gets on before 2025 as I am part of the 2022 recruitment and I was told I wouldn’t be on until 2024 AND that there were still people ahead of me so I might not even be on one of those January February ones. And it’s first come first serve so chances are there are some people in the group that won’t see a training course until 2025 or even 2026 depending on recruitment needs

Thanks mate, some people on this thread clearly don’t understand how long things are in the railway when it comes to recruitment. I can only say if you’re a Euston applicant then that does move you to the top of the pile. Obviously not above the 2022 Euston lot.

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

Fingers crossed for everyone waiting!

Hey mate I hope you’re doing well, I was following you on the other thread and I hope you get in with a toc asap.

 

[Sorcerer]

Hey mate I hope you’re doing well, I was following you on the other thread and I hope you get in with a toc asap.

Thanks Ses, I hope so too! I saw you passed the DMI so for you I hope you get on a course sooner rather than later as well!

 

[badger85]

Just to add to the complexity of it all, it also depends on your DMI score and also the number of driver managers at your home depot (no course will have more students on each course than DMs apparently, which makes sense).

Patience is the name of the game I think!