Yes that is how talent pools work.
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TransPennine Trains - Trainee Driver Recruitment Discussion
- Thread starter iwasyoungonce
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Xihan
Member
The application for TPE stated a 'course start date' of Autumn. I assumed they would be looking to fill that, no?
will1989
Member
Initially yes, but if they have retirements/internal promotions etc on the horizon that they're aware of they may then look to create a separate talent pool of applicants that they can contact without having to go through the entire recruitment process again with.
Usually though these talent pools are for a set amount of time (12 months, say). After that you'd have to reapply.
It's probably not worth sweating over really, if you get a position, fantastic. If you're put in a talent pool that's the next best thing but there's no guarantee you'll get a position at the end of it and nothing to stop you from applying for other positions.
Hi,
1) Can you point me in the direction of the practice tests?
2) What do the paper tests consist of if we are lucky enough to progress to the next stage?
Thank you kindly
Xihan
Member
That makes sense, cheers.
NorthernTech
Member
There is an entire section dedicated to assessments, it’s at the top of the main careers page entitled Assessments and Medicals Discussion. Have a read, make lots of notes.
leahpart
Member
rejection email today from manchester :/
dtmullins95
New Member
Rejection also today from Man Pic.
ibz766
Member
Yep no from Manchester, could this be due to my age?
jimmysalmon316
New Member
I was rejected man picc too 
tulip
Member
Sorry to hear that. Good luck when you apply again!
Anyone heard from Preston? Thanks
Anyone heard from Preston? Thanks
Fishnchipsrule
Member
A nope for Manchester.
Jordan1991
Member
I’ve just had the rejection email for manc as well. Very surprised as I’ve got all the psychometrics passed to enhanced and the application was spot on. Ah well!
shayru
Member
Rejection e mail for Manchester Pic
tulip
Member
I just got one for Preston ha! I’m out good luck everyone!
Irish Rail
Member
It could be many things. Age, general application, life experience. You’ve got time on your hands though. Get a job, get some life experience behind you and try again.
CarlG
Member
Rejection for Newcastle through today aswell
Irish Rail
Member
How do you know application was spot on?
Jordan1991
Member
Because I’m already in the talent bank for another TOC and my job very much relates to all the NTS requirements of a train driver, and I touched on many.
Makes me wonder if they are after a specific type of candidate to be more diverse. Or maybe just don’t have many posts because there doesn’t seem to be anyone who’s got through yet
Irish Rail
Member
It could be many things, yes train operators seem to be more diverse these days but we don’t know how many have been declined. There will likely be thousands of applicants and we’ve heard from a fraction. There will be some that have got through and would be wrong to think it’s just diversity.
omalleys
Member
How long have you been in the talent bank for the other TOC? TOCs won't necessarily be looking for the same things they were from maybe like a year ago. They may want more females or people from specific industries etc
I can see both points here, and from experience in applying for a few of these roles and being in a talent pool myself, it does seem that this recruitment process was set up in an attempt to look at people's backgrounds and upbringings.
I have never been asked in an application what my parents highest qualifications are and what type of school I went to. It does seem like it was based on some sort of system to pick certain types of people, and I'm not just referring to ethnicity or sexual preferences.
I thought it was strange at the time but obviously the recruitment team have a certain system that differs to other companies. In my opinion anyway.
All that being said, a rejection is a rejection so no point in speculating... Just got to move on to the next application when it presents itself!
Irish Rail
Member
Well put.
Jordan1991
Member
Yep I agree. It’s just my thoughts that’s all. I just feel like that’s the way things are going, a lot of them state they are after women etc so they will always take an advantage over males.
But we will never really know for sure!
tulip
Member
I’ve been rejected as a woman with 10 years plus experience in a role that significantly links to this role. A rejection is a rejection. 
good luck everyone who moves onto the next stage.
good luck everyone who moves onto the next stage.unlucky.I’ve been rejected as a woman with 10 years plus experience in a role that significantly links to this role. A rejection is a rejection.
Jordan1991
Member
I have been in just over 2 years. TOCs will always be looking for the same traits of drivers, as that’s literally what you need to be a successful driver. So that won’t change. But I agree they will want different candidate profiles.
I work in healthcare and I know they take a lot from there, as well as police and fire service etc. maybe they are trying to move away from them people. Who knows