Failure rate during training or at final assessment

[Latecomer]

Of course you don't go into training (potentially on a significant pay cut) expecting to fail and you work as hard as you can not to. But I'm still curious - what are the drop off/failure rates once training has commenced? For those that have been on training courses how many of your fellow trainees have either dropped out or failed the initial training and how many have failed final assessments before becoming fully qualified?

I'm sure the trainers and the company want you to pass because of their investment but can you retake any assessments or is that it if you fail one?

 

[Cherry_Picker]

I have seen it once in 15 years, and that was a bloke who didnt make it through traction training. It is quite a rare thing.

 

[Latecomer]

I have seen it once in 15 years, and that was a bloke who didnt make it through traction training. It is quite a rare thing.

I hoped you might say that! Do people just make damned sure they pass the tests or if people come up a bit short do they re-sit?

 

[Cherry_Picker]

They will try absolutely everything to get you though. I think it is only in those rarest of cases when somebody is clearly not up to it that they are removed from the course. Like I said, I have only ever seen it once in my time on the railway.

 

[rmt-driver]

They will try absolutely everything to get you though. I think it is only in those rarest of cases when somebody is clearly not up to it that they are removed from the course. Like I said, I have only ever seen it once in my time on the railway.

When I was doing the drivers course 1 person out of my class (of about 12) didn't make it through the rules and regulations, another 1 didn't make it through the train equipment course.

 

[Latecomer]

Thanks both for the input.

 

[E&W Lucas]

On the unit operator I trained with (who trained in numbers), about one out of every course of ten didn't make it, either through choice, or inability. You get two goes at every stage of the process, and as has been stated, everyone works to get you through it. I've only known one person get as far as a final assessment and fail twice; both parties tend to realise long before that.

The failure rate on inter city work seems to be higher, but in comparison, we train far fewer. A tiny number, and TBH too few to be meaningful.

If you pass the assessment, you should pass the training. If you don't, my view is that something has gone wrong at an earlier stage. When I've been involved in training someone who hasn't made it, in all honesty it is because they shouldn't have been there in the first place, and they have chosen to remove themselves from the process.

 

[Latecomer]

If you pass the assessment, you should pass the training. If you don't, my view is that something has gone wrong at an earlier stage. When I've been involved in training someone who hasn't made it, in all honesty it is because they shouldn't have been there in the first place, and they have chosen to remove themselves from the process.

I'm sure that's the case - thanks for letting me know your experience.

 

[Legzr1]

On the unit operator I trained with (who trained in numbers), about one out of every course of ten didn't make it, either through choice, or inability. You get two goes at every stage of the process, and as has been stated, everyone works to get you through it. I've only known one person get as far as a final assessment and fail twice; both parties tend to realise long before that.

The failure rate on inter city work seems to be higher, but in comparison, we train far fewer. A tiny number, and TBH too few to be meaningful.

If you pass the assessment, you should pass the training. If you don't, my view is that something has gone wrong at an earlier stage. When I've been involved in training someone who hasn't made it, in all honesty it is because they shouldn't have been there in the first place, and they have chosen to remove themselves from the process.

No such thing as poor instruction then?

 

[E&W Lucas]

No such thing as poor instruction then?

If a trainee isn't progressing as he should with one instructor, the first thing that gets tried is putting them with someone else. Management want these candidates to succeed.

A weak candidate is pretty obvious; most recognise themselves that they are not cut out for the job. If someone really isn't trainable, decisions sometimes have to be taken before a final assessment is even contemplated. For example, if you had someone for train handling who wouldn't comply with the instructions they were given, or who "froze" in the seat. Both have happened.

 

[lauraGeeGee]

On my course, we had one turn up the first day then he didn't come back. Don't know what all that was about but there was rumour that it was a "Job seekers" scam.:roll:

One dropped out after the 4th week. We'd just completed a very intensive 3 week stint of the rule book (I personally never want to go through anything like that again!). He did struggle a bit but also had a lot going on at home at the time.

The rest of us all went on to pass out.

I have seen others who have failed to make the grade at the time but have then had a bit more training in whatever area their weekness is. Then go on to be assessed again and pass out.

I do know of one who failed completely to pass out but I don't know the circumstances.

I think it is fairly rare. As it's been said here previously, they invest an awful lot of money and time and want to get trainees through!

 

[driver9000]

Everyone on my course went on to pass out although a couple struggled a bit, but with the right tuition they made it

 

[strange6]

One dropped out after the 4th week. We'd just completed a very intensive 3 week stint of the rule book (I personally never want to go through anything like that again!).

You should try the last year of a Nuclear engineering degree!

 

[Legzr1]

Splitting an atom is childs play compared to the complexity of single line working...

 

[rmt-driver]

splitting an atom is childs play compared to the complexity of single line working...

agreed

 

[notadriver]

On the unit operator I trained with (who trained in numbers), about one out of every course of ten didn't make it, either through choice, or inability. You get two goes at every stage of the process, and as has been stated, everyone works to get you through it. I've only known one person get as far as a final assessment and fail twice; both parties tend to realise long before that.

The failure rate on inter city work seems to be higher, but in comparison, we train far fewer. A tiny number, and TBH too few to be meaningful.

If you pass the assessment, you should pass the training. If you don't, my view is that something has gone wrong at an earlier stage. When I've been involved in training someone who hasn't made it, in all honesty it is because they shouldn't have been there in the first place, and they have chosen to remove themselves from the process.

Whats the difference in the training required for intercity work than for other types of work?

 

[Class2ldn]

Two in my course have failed to pass out. One is a shunter again the other got the boot. One guy on a course a year behind me has just failed his rules. No retakes... He's gone. They have no mercy at our place.

 

[driver9000]

Whats the difference in the training required for intercity work than for other types of work?

Rules and regulations wise, none at all - we all sing from the same song book. Although freight drivers will learn about working within T3 possessions, carrying dangerous goods (pink pages) etc. The differences between regional, intercity and freight will lie at company level regarding traction (including any specific high speed training), routes and company working instructions.