sabanda
Member
None of us have, to my knowledge. If you log into the Arriva/XC careers page where you first applied, it should be in there under your applications.
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CrossCountry - Apprentice Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion
- Thread starter dereksingh291
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Ridetherails
Member
Anyone on the course starting today?
BongCups34
Member
Thanks for the help everyone I have passed my MMI second time lucky !!
Kems91
Member
Nothing here still saying PENDING, the wait is excruciating haha!
softquaser
Member
For those of you who have just completed the first assessment. It will be several months (most likely) until you get an update
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
I always feel the 2nd time is easier
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Congratulations.
I always feel the 2nd time is easier
ku_ku_ka_cho
Member
Is anyone aware of Cambridge Depot being allocated space on recent courses? Ive been sat on an OPC pass since September 2024 but heard nothing...cant help but feel like its a lost cause which is a shame after all the time and effort!
Reactor Scram
Member
Some in the Talent Pool have had communication from Andy when they've reached out to him.
I believe course allocation for June 25 was: Birmingham x 3, Derby x 2, Newcastle x 2, Edinburgh x 1.
And I understand the upcoming September 25 course is: "Birmingham and north depots"
Scrolling back through this thread it looks like Cambridge last took someone in Jan 25.
Stick with it, there are a few who have been waiting longer and they are crunching through it. Take the positive that next course to be allocated is Jan 26 and it looks like Cambridge won't have taken anyone for a year by then so maybe it could be time by then.
You have done your DMI, yes? Looking back at your messages, you said you still were yet to do one?
I believe course allocation for June 25 was: Birmingham x 3, Derby x 2, Newcastle x 2, Edinburgh x 1.
And I understand the upcoming September 25 course is: "Birmingham and north depots"
Scrolling back through this thread it looks like Cambridge last took someone in Jan 25.
Stick with it, there are a few who have been waiting longer and they are crunching through it. Take the positive that next course to be allocated is Jan 26 and it looks like Cambridge won't have taken anyone for a year by then so maybe it could be time by then.
You have done your DMI, yes? Looking back at your messages, you said you still were yet to do one?
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Reactor Scram
Member
I was looking at this post #1169 - looks like this person got offered Jan 25.
How do we get in contact with Andy thank you u
softquaser
Member
Most of us have saved the contact number/email address of when he has spoken to us. However these details have only been given to those who passed the DMI and were completing the driver assessments.
Ridetherails
Member
One thing you need to learn is railway employment can move VERY slowly. People on the new intake course applied in 2023.
You’ve just done your first online test / initial sort for a 2026/2027 intake and you’re wanting to speak to head of recruitment?
Best thing to do is put it to the back of your head, when they are ready to move forward they will contact you. Chasing them, especially at your stage, isn’t going to have a positive effect
I unfortunately couldn't get passed the final interview with TFW a few years back, having completed what I believed were the hardest challenges in the application process during the psychometric stages before that, and they were fairly swift (albeit generic and dismissive) in response. Admittedly, I found these tests far easier than the spatial awareness exam in this recruitment process, but that's just me.
Naively, I thought other TOCs would be similar with regards to speed and efficiency, even though as a track worker I know all too well that nothing happens fast on the railway. And so I'm currently mid process with GWR and Cross Country, and as others have mentioned, it most certainly is a waiting game. This isn't a role you can expect to rely on having, regardless of skill, because the length of time the entire process endures is sporadic and seemingly random. Keep it as a prospect or ambition, but not a main focus or definitive career move. My initial GWR application was first submitted end of summer 2023, and still pending following successful assessments online and video recorded responses to interview questions (strange experience).
Anyone else applying for this via indeed?
Naively, I thought other TOCs would be similar with regards to speed and efficiency, even though as a track worker I know all too well that nothing happens fast on the railway. And so I'm currently mid process with GWR and Cross Country, and as others have mentioned, it most certainly is a waiting game. This isn't a role you can expect to rely on having, regardless of skill, because the length of time the entire process endures is sporadic and seemingly random. Keep it as a prospect or ambition, but not a main focus or definitive career move. My initial GWR application was first submitted end of summer 2023, and still pending following successful assessments online and video recorded responses to interview questions (strange experience).
Anyone else applying for this via indeed?
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I think the MMI is the hardest as it's a very impersonal interview, yet it relies on the personal opinion of the person interviewing you, if your answer ticks the right boxes.
On my first attempt I passed 5/6 questions and was told which question I failed on.
On my second attempt I had the same questions so used the same answers for the 5 I previously passed and gave a improved answer for the one I previously failed.
I passed the 6th question but failed one of the other questions, even though the answer I gave passed previously. Perhaps it was how I delivered the answer but I don't see how.
My other issue with the process is there is no appeal process for the OPC. What if I felt I had been discriminated against?
Oh well, I got through eventually but would've felt hard done by if that was my last chance
On my first attempt I passed 5/6 questions and was told which question I failed on.
On my second attempt I had the same questions so used the same answers for the 5 I previously passed and gave a improved answer for the one I previously failed.
I passed the 6th question but failed one of the other questions, even though the answer I gave passed previously. Perhaps it was how I delivered the answer but I don't see how.
My other issue with the process is there is no appeal process for the OPC. What if I felt I had been discriminated against?
Oh well, I got through eventually but would've felt hard done by if that was my last chance
What do you mean when you say you got through eventually? Isn't it only 2 attempts?
Jordan1991
Member
Failing an MMI or CBI doesn’t take one of your lives
trainguard0701
Member
Has anyone been told that they’re on the September course? Just trying to work out if they’ve notified the lucky people or if they’ve got the depot allocations but not yet notified people.
It does, it's part of the official testing , the dmi doesn't
Jordan1991
Member
I thought it doesn’t as it isn’t part of the OPC testing?
How would the person a few comments above have had more than 2 goes?
Have you done any OPC testing?
It's literally the final part.
Not sure how they have done it more than twice though.
Jordan1991
Member
Yes I’m in the talent bank for another TOC. And I know it’s last but I’m pretty sure it’s not something that takes a life.
I have an application live with a different TOC now as well as this one, and there is someone in that too who is on their 3rd attempt at an MMI, so I think you are wrong
I know of an internal that had the phone call about starting September 7
Somehow I don't think I'm wrong that it's a part of the OPC testing considering I have done it and passed it myself.
Regarding the 3 attempts maybe they've changed the rules since I did it back in early 2023 and you now get an extra life.
trainguard0701
Member
Do you know what depot they’re for?
Jordan1991
Member
Ok fair enough then. Seems strange that some people are on more attempts than others. It must have changed
That's for Edinburgh. I must admit it is unusual for nobody to say on this thread when calls are made for courses but it seems that's the case with the September course.
JH-OB
Member
MMI is definitely only 2 changes, unless you started the process recently (I think it’s as of Feb this year) when you then get 3
trainguard0701
Member
I wonder if they’ve just not told everyone yet then seen as this person you’re talking about is an internal applicant