CrossCountry - Apprentice Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[softquaser]

Congrats, happy to see some positive updates. Thought the calls would have already been made before now.

 

[Reactor Scram]

Got a call from Andy today and offered a place on the March course for Cambridge.

Long time coming! So don't lose hope if you've not heard anything and are waiting

Great news, well done. Great to see some progress and thanks for sharing.

 

[Trains101]

Got a call from Andy today and offered a place on the March course for Cambridge.

Long time coming! So don't lose hope if you've not heard anything and are waiting

Hi mate, when did you apply nov 2025?

 

[Reactor Scram]

The briefest of looks back through Tysoe's message history will tell you that they applied in 2023.

 

[tadhg1999]

Got a call from Andy today and offered a place on the March course for Cambridge.

Long time coming! So don't lose hope if you've not heard anything and are waiting

Congrats! Which depot did you apply for? I’m still ‘under review’ for New St and felt I’d utterly bombed the spatial test. Thanks!

 

[Trainlady71]

I’ve just had confirmation that I’m through !! I’ve finally made it, I start my course in March and I’m absolutely buzzing.

To everyone out there still in the process, my status has only just changed from Pending after the offer. It’s a long process and be prepared for months of silence between the stages. However its well worth the wait and perseverance…. Good luck everyone.

 

[Trains101]

Congratulations mate, when did u apply and what depot

 

[RailNewbie22]

I’ve just had confirmation that I’m through !! I’ve finally made it, I start my course in March and I’m absolutely buzzing.

To everyone out there still in the process, my status has only just changed from Pending after the offer. It’s a long process and be prepared for months of silence between the stages. However its well worth the wait and perseverance…. Good luck everyone.

Well done. Was it email or a call? Which depot?

 

[Trainlady71]

Thank you ! …

Applied earlier this year,

Bournemouth Depot

Received a call

 

[Arne]

Just got email from Cross Country for Newcastle from moat recent applications. Not successful despite full passes of pyschometrics

 

[blourd]

Just had a rejection for Newcastle. Thought I did ok on the spatial test but who knows about the personality! Good luck to everyone else and congrats to those that have been put on courses this week.

 

[Cottoneyedjoel]

Just 2 emails from XC stating I've been unsuccessful, and the usual line stating they'll keep my information on file incase someone drops out, always next time, good luck to everyone else.

 

[Colly103]

Just got the same rejection for Newcastle. Gutted but not totally unexpected!!!! Did everyone get 2 emails? I got one from Arriva and one from Cross Country recruitment- one just said unsuccessful the other said they would retain my details in case they could invite additional people to the next stage??? Very confusing!

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Just 2 emails from XC stating I've been unsuccessful, and the usual line stating they'll keep my information on file incase someone drops out, always next time, good luck to everyone else.

I got the same thing…. Very confusing! Oh well at least they let us know before Christmas. Good luck to those who go to psychometrics

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Also did that mean I at least met the SHL standard? I know they don’t give feedback but was wondering if I at least got through those? Does anyone know if any Newcastle applications were rejected before today?

 

[Cottoneyedjoel]

Know a lad whose done his psychometrics separately and passed them and he's just being knocked back, so no idea what they want from applicants

 

[Colly103]

Know a lad whose done his psychometrics separately and passed them and he's just being knocked back, so no idea what they want from applicants

It’s a tough one for sure. Good luck to those who are successful. I was just hoping I met the SHL standard as I wasn’t overly confident with the spatial ability test. Fingers crossed I can eventually make it through!

 

[mr_ixolite]

Oh well at least they let us know before Christmas. Good luck to those who go to psychometrics

I was just thinking they could have timed it better, "here you go, have a rejection email right before christmas, enjoy your turkey"

 

[M2025]

Rejected from Newcastle.

‘We had an exceptionally high number of applicants meet the testing criteria, and whilst this is a testament to the quality of candidates, it also meant we had to make some very difficult decisions.



To ensure fairness and consistency, we have progressed those with the highest assessment scores to the next stage. Unfortunately, on this occasion, you have not been selected to move forward.’

 

[Colly103]

I was just thinking they could have timed it better, "here you go, have a rejection email right before christmas, enjoy your turkey"

Yeah not great but at least now I won’t be obsessing about it anymore lol. Also - Not sure why they had to send 2 emails!!! Kick a lad twice why don’t you haha …. Best of luck to those who get through

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Rejected from Newcastle.

‘We had an exceptionally high number of applicants meet the testing criteria, and whilst this is a testament to the quality of candidates, it also meant we had to make some very difficult decisions.



To ensure fairness and consistency, we have progressed those with the highest assessment scores to the next stage. Unfortunately, on this occasion, you have not been selected to move forward.’

Yeah received the same. Back to the drawing board!

 

[Ceegee98]

Applied for Edinburgh for the most recent intake. Haven’t heard anything back yet. Anyone in the same boat? I’ve had a read through and it seems like there’s been a few rejections for other depots.

Wishing everyone the best of luck!

 

[Tysoe]

Congrats! Which depot did you apply for? I’m still ‘under review’ for New St and felt I’d utterly bombed the spatial test. Thanks!

Cambridge. Started applying for jobs on 2018 and applied with XC in 2023 so been a long time coming.

Andy said I was top of the list for Cambridge but they didn't need any drivers so was a long wait.

Good luck to the rest of you

 

[Stevo2687]

Applied for Edinburgh for the most recent intake. Haven’t heard anything back yet. Anyone in the same boat? I’ve had a read through and it seems like there’s been a few rejections for other depots.

Wishing everyone the best of luck!

I also applied for Edinburgh but have yet to hear anything, I’m sure there was a few people that received rejection emails a while ago.

 

[Mihigo26]

The briefest of looks back through Tysoe's message history will tell you that they applied in 2023.

Applied for Edinburgh for the most recent intake. Haven’t heard anything back yet. Anyone in the same boat? I’ve had a read through and it seems like there’s been a few rejections for other depots.

Wishing everyone the best of luck!

Edinburgh here also and not heard anything either.

I think a few did get some rejections back a couple of pages ago, but that was about a week/two weeks ago now so who knows.

In any case it'll be new year before we hear now I'd imagine.

 

[Trains101]

Anyone got unsuccessful email other than Newcastle. Just from reading this forum looks like Newcastle act the quickest. All the people who applied there were pending on the application first. And also they got unsuccessful emails first. Judging off that pattern I’m guessing we might here next week if we are through or not

 

[chalkijr]

Anyone got unsuccessful email other than Newcastle. Just from reading this forum looks like Newcastle act the quickest. All the people who applied there were pending on the application first. And also they got unsuccessful emails first. Judging off that pattern I’m guessing we might here next week if we are through or not

It all depends on whether they need extra candidates to fill pools/spots on a course. I've been waiting since a May application for Manchester... Not had an unsuccessful email nor a successful one to say I passed the online tests. But with full psychometrics already they know I'm good to go straight to a DMI. It really is just a guessing game unfortunately, there's literally zero indication of what they need and when they need it. You might be waiting another week or another year! I'm in a talent pool for another company and it's been 3 years tomorrow that I applied

 

[Trains101]

Thought if you’ve got that OPC already in the bag it’ll be easy finding a role. From seeing on this forum that it is as hard as starting candidate

 

[jaybon92]

Its easier in the sense you dont have to worry about the OPC but its not a ticket to jump through queue. Having the opc may only save a few months out of a year or two in waiting time

 

[chalkijr]

Thought if you’ve got that OPC already in the bag it’ll be easy finding a role. From seeing on this forum that it is as hard as starting candidate

I wish it were so... All toc's and foc's have different hiring processes. I've applied for a few now and for some I've not even got past the initial sift. It's literally a lottery system.

 

[Lg_]

Thought if you’ve got that OPC already in the bag it’ll be easy finding a role. From seeing on this forum that it is as hard as starting candidate

It can make a difference but crosscountry don’t ask if you’ve passed psychometric assessments as part of the application form.
Some TOC’s do ask though which can help you stand out in the early stages of an application.

 

[chalkijr]

It can make a difference but crosscountry don’t ask if you’ve passed psychometric assessments as part of the application form.
Some TOC’s do ask though which can help you stand out in the early stages of an application.

If I remember correctly they do ask for your national insurance number though, which is what your OPC assessments is registered to. So they will definitely check it.

 

[softquaser]

It can make a difference but crosscountry don’t ask if you’ve passed psychometric assessments as part of the application form.
Some TOC’s do ask though which can help you stand out in the early stages of an application.

If I remember correctly they do ask for your national insurance number though, which is what your OPC assessments is registered to. So they will definitely check it.

I brought this up during my DMI that I had completed "Stage 1" of the OPC assessment. However, they absolutely do check as part of the recruitment process.