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Avanti - Trainee Train Drivers - Recruitment Discussion

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Buster156

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Joined
7 Jun 2023
Messages
13
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Solihull
Congrats mate. I’m waiting for Wolves. Had a call the other day and thought I was in. They were only checking on a few notice details. Good luck
 
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Ned21

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Joined
5 Apr 2023
Messages
104
Location
West Bromwich
Buster156 said:
Congrats mate. I’m waiting for Wolves. Had a call the other day and thought I was in. They were only checking on a few notice details. Good luck
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I'm waiting for wolves, I haven't had a call about anything, so your maybe closer than me to getting the job offer.

Fingers crossed for you
 
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Pippa12

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Joined
22 Sep 2022
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5
Location
Bangor
Anyone waiting to hear back from the holyhead application?

I passed all psychometrics including the MMI in 2022 with TFW but failed my DMI - does anyone know if Avanti are checking applications for psychometric test results from the initial online sift?
 
baker_06

baker_06

Member
Joined
8 May 2014
Messages
45
Location
Wolverhampton
Pippa12 said:
Anyone waiting to hear back from the holyhead application?

I passed all psychometrics including the MMI in 2022 with TFW but failed my DMI - does anyone know if Avanti are checking applications for psychometric test results from the initial online sift?
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Avanti use CBI rather than MMI so you would need to do that - the other psychometrics depend on whether you met Avanti enhanced standard.

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Pippa12 said:
Anyone waiting to hear back from the holyhead application?

I passed all psychometrics including the MMI in 2022 with TFW but failed my DMI - does anyone know if Avanti are checking applications for psychometric test results from the initial online sift?
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Can you shed any light on the DMI for TfW? What kind of questions do they ask? Thank you :)
 
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scotsman82

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Joined
2 Mar 2025
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51
Location
Scotland
baker_06 said:
Avanti use CBI rather than MMI so you would need to do that - the other psychometrics depend on whether you met Avanti enhanced standard.

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Can you shed any light on the DMI for TfW? What kind of questions do they ask? Thank you :)
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Why would anyone ask that ? Potentially putting themselves at risks of poorer results because they have let you in the back door . Not for me
 
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Spincity

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23 Nov 2019
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191
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London
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Jordan1991

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Joined
25 Sep 2022
Messages
216
Location
Poynton
HogwartsExpres said:
Has anyone else had any phone calls regarding courses or January and march?
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Not a peep. I suspect Jan has been filled as the last person to comment had been given one for March and that was a few weeks ago. I reckon we’ll get the email this week or next that March is also full as well now.
 
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HogwartsExpres

Member
Joined
28 Mar 2023
Messages
65
Location
Wirral
Jordan1991 said:
Not a peep. I suspect Jan has been filled as the last person to comment had been given one for March and that was a few weeks ago. I reckon we’ll get the email this week or next that March is also full as well now.
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Yeah you’re most probably right expecting that email now
 
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scotsman82

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2 Mar 2025
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51
Location
Scotland
How do you work that out looks like he said his course is in Crewe and Wolverhampton is closer than Glasgow . It’s a tough process sorting through the results and interview scores people may have left the Talent pool
 
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Jordan1991

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25 Sep 2022
Messages
216
Location
Poynton
scotsman82 said:
How do you work that out looks like he said his course is in Crewe and Wolverhampton is closer than Glasgow . It’s a tough process sorting through the results and interview scores people may have left the Talent pool
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Crewe and Polmadie are the only two centres that Avanti use and you can be sent to either one irrespective of where you live.
 
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cebz9

Member
Joined
22 Oct 2019
Messages
47
Location
leicester
Punching Pick said:
Thanks, this was for Wolverhampton.
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Out of curiosity; is your course at the end of march?

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Sorcerer said:
Curious how they're recruiting for qualified drivers again, particularly at Wolverhampton because they had some qualified vacancies for there not too long ago. I'm starting to think Avanti are either falling into the old InterCity TOC habits of only poaching qualified drivers from other companies and the trainee recruitment drives were mostly just to look like they were addressing a problem, or they are actually losing train drivers at such a rate that even after almost three years they still have some trainees waiting for course placements while they focus on filling short-term vacancies with qualified drivers.
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Pre planning for drivers reaching retirement age. In addition to a handful of already qualified Wolverhampton drivers trying/wanting to move to Crewe.

I was made aware that there is around 8 vacancies at wolves that need to be filled, potentially more as time moves on. However they’re in no rush to get everyone in all at the same time.

In regards to qualified drivers, it will be phased in (like 2-3 drivers per course) as the number of mentor drivers isn’t enough to facilitate training to all 8 vacancies.

Also for the previous recruitment drive for qualified drivers, I am led to believe that they didn’t recruit anyone.
 
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scotsman82

Member
Joined
2 Mar 2025
Messages
51
Location
Scotland
Jordan1991 said:
Crewe and Polmadie are the only two centres that Avanti use and you can be sent to either one irrespective of where you live.
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Yep I know that but surely they are going to plan as close to the centre as possible not always but most of the time . I think your just being negative about the courses being filled
 
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Jordan1991

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25 Sep 2022
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216
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Poynton
scotsman82 said:
Yep I know that but surely they are going to plan as close to the centre as possible not always but most of the time . I think your just being negative about the courses being filled
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Not being negative, just realistic which I know people struggle to come to terms with once they are so set on getting a start date. I know of a driver who lived near me in Stockport, which is near to Crewe, but got trained in polmadie
 
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scotsman82

Member
Joined
2 Mar 2025
Messages
51
Location
Scotland
Jordan1991 said:
Not being negative, just realistic which I know people struggle to come to terms with once they are so set on getting a start date. I know of a driver who lived near me in Stockport, which is near to Crewe, but got trained in polmadie
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U get in or you don’t unfortunately that’s life your stuck in a conveyor belt at the moment like it or lump it . Maybe that’s just the way they work would rather get a start anywhere would do am sure I’ll get a wee tinkle or email sometime good or bad I’ve woke up today so it’s all good :)
 
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Sorcerer

Sorcerer

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Joined
20 May 2022
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2,043
Location
Liverpool
cebz9 said:
Pre planning for drivers reaching retirement age. In addition to a handful of already qualified Wolverhampton drivers trying/wanting to move to Crewe.

I was made aware that there is around 8 vacancies at wolves that need to be filled, potentially more as time moves on. However they’re in no rush to get everyone in all at the same time.

In regards to qualified drivers, it will be phased in (like 2-3 drivers per course) as the number of mentor drivers isn’t enough to facilitate training to all 8 vacancies.

Also for the previous recruitment drive for qualified drivers, I am led to believe that they didn’t recruit anyone.
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This would make sense. I have seen vacancies for more driver mentors at different depots, so if there isn't enough of them then then it seems like they are actively trying to get more. Your last point is interesting though. Do you mean to say they got plenty of applications but didn't actually recruit any of them, or that they didn't actually get enough to properly recruit? I assume that it's probably a case of the former.
 
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cebz9

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22 Oct 2019
Messages
47
Location
leicester
Sorcerer said:
This would make sense. I have seen vacancies for more driver mentors at different depots, so if there isn't enough of them then then it seems like they are actively trying to get more. Your last point is interesting though. Do you mean to say they got plenty of applications but didn't actually recruit any of them, or that they didn't actually get enough to properly recruit? I assume that it's probably a case of the former.
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Yes there does appear to be a lot of recruitment for mentors across their network. Which could also mean that more ‘normal’ driver positions become available. Especially with Avanti’s plans to bring in more services into their timetable.

Unsure of how many people actually applied, but I was unofficially told that around 6 qualified drivers got through the initial sift and then 2 got an interview out of that. Both being unsuccessful.

I’m also led to believe that a lot of qualified drivers who apply, fail at the rules exam prior to the interview.

+a side note for everyone hoping to become a trainee driver, just because they’re recruiting for qualified drivers, it doesn’t mean that they’ve forgotten about trainees. Without working for them, or having inside information, You won’t know how much time they have to fill positions. Some positions may need to be filled immediately (which would mean a qualified driver coming in as it takes a lot less time to train them up). And some positions may be for drivers due to retire in 3 years (as an example)-in which case they would’ve already planned for trainee courses.

Recruitment takes a long long time. For those already in the railway, you’ll know this. I know it’s frustrating waiting. A lot of qualified drivers have also had to endure this wait, but be patient and hopeful. As others have mentioned as well, if you really really want the job, you have the option of applying for other companies and then applying to Avanti later on (if you’re fixed on Avanti). There are a lot of advertisements for trainee drivers at the moment at various companies in various locations. It’s a great time for those wanting to get into the driving grade.
 
J

jaybon92

Member
Joined
28 Sep 2025
Messages
134
Location
Corby
cebz9 said:
Yes there does appear to be a lot of recruitment for mentors across their network. Which could also mean that more ‘normal’ driver positions become available. Especially with Avanti’s plans to bring in more services into their timetable.

Unsure of how many people actually applied, but I was unofficially told that around 6 qualified drivers got through the initial sift and then 2 got an interview out of that. Both being unsuccessful.

I’m also led to believe that a lot of qualified drivers who apply, fail at the rules exam prior to the interview.

+a side note for everyone hoping to become a trainee driver, just because they’re recruiting for qualified drivers, it doesn’t mean that they’ve forgotten about trainees. Without working for them, or having inside information, You won’t know how much time they have to fill positions. Some positions may need to be filled immediately (which would mean a qualified driver coming in as it takes a lot less time to train them up). And some positions may be for drivers due to retire in 3 years (as an example)-in which case they would’ve already planned for trainee courses.

Recruitment takes a long long time. For those already in the railway, you’ll know this. I know it’s frustrating waiting. A lot of qualified drivers have also had to endure this wait, but be patient and hopeful. As others have mentioned as well, if you really really want the job, you have the option of applying for other companies and then applying to Avanti later on (if you’re fixed on Avanti). There are a lot of advertisements for trainee drivers at the moment at various companies in various locations. It’s a great time for those wanting to get into the driving grade.
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Only have 2 different tocs near me one being 10 mins away from me (not advertising yet. Heard theybwont be) and another about an hour away. Frustrating
 
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