Northern - Trainee Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[tulip]

I contacted northern to make sure no emails had been missed. They have advised that no emails have been issued yet. They are working on what dates they can do the telephone interviews and once they have those dates they will then release invite emails to us. Hope this helps

Great! Thanks for letting me know. If I get an email I’ll pop it on this too

 

[Mike2k255]

I am also waiting on telephone interview email since Thursday 9th October, I have sent email to HR but not had reply.

 

[mattybed21]

After submitting your application to a TOC how long normally until they get back in touch with you if your unsuccessful?

 

[Mike2k255]

After submitting your application to a TOC how long normally until they get back in touch with you if your unsuccessful?

For me roughly around 8 weeks from applying

 

[lightningz]

If it's the same as mine then the first task you will be split into groups and then given some facts on about train departure times, platforms, drivers, etc. You would need to figure out the time a certain train would leave. No team got the right answer, they just wanted to know how good you are working as a team and communication skills. The next assessment was you were given some Lego and needed to follow instructions in what to make whilst also watching a train video and answering questions on what you saw. Next was a 28 min video where you had to write down how many red signals, speed boards, and orange signals you see during the video. Finally there was a 25 min interview.

Hi, I’ve got this assessment day coming up. Do you know if the interview in the afternoon is the DMI or is it completely separate?

 

[haidox]

Hi, I’ve got this assessment day coming up. Do you know if the interview in the afternoon is the DMI or is it completely separate?

Sorry I'm not into all this train lingo (DMI = Driver Manager Interview?). But yes if you get through to the end of the assessment day you have an interview with 2 people. In my case one was a driver who was also part of the recruitment team and the other person was a manager who was more writing down everything I said and occasionally asked something. At the end of psychometric testing day there is another interview (MMI?) which was with only 1 person who was from the recruitment team and that lasted for over an hour.

 

[Mike2k255]

My application today went from telephone interview with no correspondence or call, To After carefully reviewing your responses, we’re sorry to let you know that we won’t be moving forward with your application. I don’t understand I have over 14 years experience as ex train driver, rejected 39 times in to years and wasted my time thinking the situation would change ☹️

 

[tulip]

My application today went from telephone interview with no correspondence or call, To After carefully reviewing your responses, we’re sorry to let you know that we won’t be moving forward with your application. I don’t understand I have over 14 years experience as ex train driver, 39 rejected I too years and wasted time ☹️

Oh gosh I’m sorry to hear this! Mine has changed to back under review so will probably get rejected too. We can only apply again!

 

[therest]

Strange !
Mine has now gone from “telephone interview…” to “under consideration by our talent team” ?

 

[tulip]

Strange !
Mine has now gone from “telephone interview…” to “under consideration by our talent team” ?

Mine is the same!

 

[therest]

I think as it’s a rolling campaign those that went before us must have got through and so they probably don’t need us now.

 

[tulip]

I think as it’s a rolling campaign those that went before us must have got through and so they probably don’t need us now.

You’re probably right. Hopefully we get an interview in the new year.

 

[Mike2k255]

I’ve applied 39 times over too years, applied for all different positions to get in the door, keep getting rejected what chance do we have, I was a train driver for London overground for over 14years, I get rejected for qualified driver because I haven’t driven since May 2022, even with my brother working for northern as a train driver I still have no luck, very disheartening, I wish you all the best of luck they probably looking for just new starters very unfair on the rest of us.

 

[mattybed21]

I’ve applied 39 times over too years, applied for all different positions to get in the door, keep getting rejected what chance do we have, I was a train driver for London overground for over 14years, I get rejected for qualified driver because I haven’t driven since May 2022, even with my brother working for northern as a train driver I still have no luck, very disheartening, I wish you all the best of luck they probably looking for just new starters very unfair on the rest of us.

i know the feeling I have just under 3 years experience as a shunter for a freight company. I have passed my psychometrics and just seem to get nowhere with these TOC they are an absolute joke. Then it really pisses me off when they cancel my train and there excuse is lack of train crew

 

[therest]

Wow that sounds awful and ridiculous. Doesn’t your brother know anyone in the talent acquisition team he can have a word with to just get it pushed through?

 

[Mike2k255]

Wow that sounds awful and ridiculous. Doesn’t your brother know anyone in the talent acquisition team he can have a word with to just get it pushed through?

No it’s all though HR now, It use to be who you knew, I have tried my old union but no luck, you get blocked if you haven’t driven a train for over two years for qualified, so only route as trainee even with a train licence and clean record ☹️

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Oct 2025 ==

No it’s all though HR now, It use to be who you knew, I have tried my old union but no luck, you get blocked if you haven’t driven a train for over two years for qualified, so only route as trainee even with a train licence and clean record ☹️

Ps I had someone in HR but they left HR, guess what there doing now trainee train driver lol

 

[therest]

Apparently a technical issue and they are having to review all applications again

 

[tulip]

Apparently a technical issue and they are having to review all applications again

Oh no! Watch mine get rejected now ha. Hopefully we find out soon. Thanks for checking.

 

[Mike2k255]

Apparently a technical issue and they are having to review all applications again

Great so I get rejected or was the phone interview an error still unfair on us all.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Oct 2025 ==

I contacted HR about the telephone interview but just got ignored, Has anyone else had this issue

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Oct 2025 ==

I Checked my status just in case but:

Trainee Train Driver - Liverpool
Closing date: 28/08/2025 23:59:00


View Application
Unsuccessful after application review. Application ended.
Maybe 40th time lucky

 

[GPR]

Great so I get rejected or was the phone interview an error still unfair on us all.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Oct 2025 ==

I contacted HR about the telephone interview but just got ignored, Has anyone else had this issue

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Oct 2025 ==

I Checked my status just in case but:

Trainee Train Driver - Liverpool
Closing date: 28/08/2025 23:59:00


View Application
Unsuccessful after application review. Application ended.
Maybe 40th time lucky

Not to be the bearer of bad news but commute wise, Monday morning at 0800

Skelmersdale to Lime St is 50 mins
Skelmersdale to Allerton Depot 50 mins
Skelmersdale to Pic and Vic 1 hr 15

You’ll be falling at the first hurdle which is commute time for a safety critical position.

 

[haidox]

I was always outside the commute time to Piccadilly Station in Manchester at 8am on a weekday (around 52 mins). I had applied around 4 times in 2 years and never got past the first stage. Then the one time I applied during the summer holidays (commute time went down to 29 mins) I got through every round and got the job. Don't lose hope people!

 

[Mike2k255]

Not to be the bearer of bad news but commute wise, Monday morning at 0800

Skelmersdale to Lime St is 50 mins
Skelmersdale to Allerton Depot 50 mins
Skelmersdale to Pic and Vic 1 hr 15

You’ll be falling at the first hurdle which is commute time for a safety critical position.

I am within commute time for Liverpool, I was contacted by the head of HR before they left the roll this year, we went through my experience, Location and commute time, I just keep getting rejected.

 

[tulip]

I’ve also emailed and there has been a technical issue. Hopefully we all hear soon. Good luck everyone

 

[GPR]

I am within commute time for Liverpool, I was contacted by the head of HR before they left the roll this year, we went through my experience, Location and commute time, I just keep getting rejected.

Strange one then with you having prior railway experience and not being able to your foot in the door.

 

[tulip]

Mine has changed to invited to interview. No email yet though.

 

[Mike2k255]

Mine has changed to invited to interview. No email yet though.

Good luck mine unchanged still rejected disappointed Northern HR never responded to my emails, I’ve raised a complaint with the Ombudsman feel it’s very unprofessional to ignore applicants emails, clearly when they have responded to others, wish you all the best.

 

[tulip]

Good luck mine unchanged still rejected disappointed Northern HR never responded to my emails, I’ve raised a complaint with the Ombudsman feel it’s very unprofessional to ignore applicants emails, clearly when they have responded to others, wish you all the best.

Thank you. I’m sorry. Hopefully you get some answers.

 

[GG7]

Hi all,
Looks like the next stage for the current Liverpool process will now be an assessment centre.
Good luck!

 

[Mike2k255]

Hi all I got too email’s yesterday one saying sorry we had technical issues but I’m still unsuccessful and second relating to my postcode I live in old Skem and from Skem to Liverpool lime st I get 3 arrival times 51 45 47, I was told they automatically check your postcode and they have chosen the longest time, I explained I had spoken to the HR Manager on the phone and we went through locations and he agreed I could only apply for Liverpool and Wigan, but they still rejected me. When you put in address on different days in the week at the same time the arrival time changes crazy but good luck to you all

 

[tulip]

Does anyone know, if successful after the morning tasks, how many questions do you normally get asked at the interview? I think this is the DMI

Good luck to everyone attending