Yes been asked to go for my DMI next month.
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Avanti - Trainee Train Drivers - Recruitment Discussion
- Thread starter kajojek3232
- Start date
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RailUK Forums
I hear you. That can be frustrating. I’m not going to tell you what to do but I moved location to become a driver. I was in a similar situation. My local depot at the time didn’t recruit trainees. They only took on qualified drivers. But now they do trainees. There was another TOC that I had missed the trainee driver ad for (around Covid) and it was well known that they wasn’t going to recruit again for a very long time because of a huge backlog of training. So I ended up looking further away from the 60min radius and got myself the driver keys. Other drivers have done the same thing and then at a later date, have the option of moving back home if they want to go back.
I’d also say that if you ever see a company recruit for mentor drivers or instructors, it usually means that they’re looking to hire more drivers at some point. I assume that you live in the midlands-quite a few tocs in the midlands have been recruiting for mentor/instructor drivers.
So far I’ve seen EMR, AVANTI and WMT recruit for mentor drivers. With the first two being the most active in looking for those.
Ditto. And then no doubt wait in a talent pool for another 2 years!
scotsman82
Member
No jobs being a pilot ?
I did see EMR hiring for mentors so I did get my hopes up. Checking several times a day I made a mistake and didn't realise that the Coventry WMT is actually a little closer to me than Bletchley. I don't mind the long drive too much as in my current job im doing 12 hours so technically out the house longer but a 10 min drive to work would be nice. If I ever get through the hell that is the assessments
Haha probably. Good luck!
Emr typically recruit for trainees once a year and it’s usually in the winter periods from what I’ve noticed. So I expect them to put out an advert sometime between now and maybe March.
No harm in applying for Wmt at cov. I used to work at cov for Wmt. it’s a nice small depot, really nice people there. Everyone gets on with eachother which you may not be able to find at bigger depots. I also think that the routes are nice as well. Obviously bear in mind distance to work as some tocs are incredibly strict. Some require less than 45 min commute to work. But if it works out well for you no harm in applying.
In Avanti's case I may or may not have seen them recruit for mentor drivers at Liverpool depot a while ago, I can't quite remember. But if that is the case I might just cross my fingers at getting another shot before my existing test results expire (applied in October 2022, fumbled grey square test in January 2023 with too many button presses). Won't set my heart on it though, it is only a small depot after all, and that's assuming I'm not dealing with a Mandela effect.
scotsman82
Member
Outta everyone on the forum there’s only 1 person then that’s been offered a course (that’s declared it anyways ) in March . Email said in the coming weeks in August the 1st we were told the offers would roll out …… here we are approaching November and still not a peep on the emails . Bizarre
Ned21
Member
They normally send an email saying all places are full, but I haven't received anything yet.
scotsman82
Member
A don’t think they are full but maybe sorting out the courses still
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NWTrainGuy
Member
Hi, i've recently applied for Trainee Train Driver with Avanti West Coast.
Does anyone know how many stages there are to the recruitment process ? I've just done my 2nd OPC assessments (Magnificent 7 Situational Awareness, and Visual Search). And any ideas on what to expect next ?
Does anyone know how many stages there are to the recruitment process ? I've just done my 2nd OPC assessments (Magnificent 7 Situational Awareness, and Visual Search). And any ideas on what to expect next ?
There is a link with all steps https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/about-us/careers/train-driver-recruitment. Good luck!
Jordan1991
Member
Which depot out of curiosity mate?
NWTrainGuy
Member
Holyhead.
It's the Competency based interview and final interviews i'm most worried about, just because it's nearly 30 years since i last had a job interview, so don't know how nervous i'd be, and don't want the nerves to get the better of me. If anyone has any pointers, that would be most appreciated.
Jordan1991
Member
I’d concentrate on getting through the psychometrics first mate. Avanti require the highest standard as far as know. It trims the applicants down fairly significantly so id get practicing. You’d have enough time in between tests to practice for interviews and stuff.
scotsman82
Member
You might be retired by the time u get a start date lol
Lol
NWTrainGuy
Member
Does it take that long ?
It's not a transparent, well communicated or swift process. Glacial would describe it well. Expect up to 2 years from initial application to talent pool, and then up to another 18 months in the pool if you're lucky to get drawn out.
NWTrainGuy
Member
Ah, ok. As it wasn't advertised as a Talent Bank job (unlike the Trainee Train Manager - Talent Bank) job. It was just advertised as Trainee Train Driver.
It makes no odds how it was advertised chap, it's all talent pool based, standard AWC wording below..
"We are topping up the talent pool for XXX as the numbers are running low. We'll need to have candidates ready and assessed to make offers to as and when positions become available."
Jordan1991
Member
Mine wasn’t headed as talent bank either. Alas, I’ve been in here over 3 years now
OooftMine wasn’t headed as talent bank either. Alas, I’ve been in here over 3 years now
NWTrainGuy
Member
Even for a Trainee job ? so if you've waited that long, how do you train ?Mine wasn’t headed as talent bank either. Alas, I’ve been in here over 3 years now
Training doesn't start until you're fished out of the pool. You're basically in limbo indefinitely. It's very common on the railway.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
So to clarify. If you're fortunate enough to pass all psychometric tests and interviews you will then go into a talent pool for your relevant depot. You will become a trainee train driver once you are taken out of the pool and your training course starts. This stage of the process can last for years, it is dependent on business need.
NWTrainGuy
Member
Same here, VSE was tough.
Callidus80
Member
Nothing yet.
I thought we may have been updated this week as that aligns with the usual two months notice, considering the next course in January.
I thought we may have been updated this week as that aligns with the usual two months notice, considering the next course in January.