TransPennine Trains - Conductor Recruitment and Discussion

[longbigtoes]

Thanks for this. It's clear you work more Sundays than I though as I did see some one elsewhere mention it was about 1 in 6 but I guess at least it bumps the salary up to more than advertised. How much annual leave do you guys receive? I read somewhere that it is automatically picked for you with no choices also, is this correct?

Should I decide to apply at some point I will be sure to message you if I need any further information regarding it so I really appreciate that. Thanks

Depends how good your local union reps are and the relationship they have with management. At Manchester Piccadilly the union reps complete holidays, you give a sheet in for 5 weeks with your preferences 1-5 and any other ones you'd be happy to have. But I believe York do it 'officially' with randomly allocated

 

[Michael507001]

Hi there,

Rather new to the forum but I'm rather excited because I got through to the next stage of the recruitment process for the TPE talent pool and I've completed the psychometric tests I was provided. I'm wondering what the recruitment process is like from this point on for a conductor-based role? I'm quite eager to step into the railway industry and follow in my dad's footsteps.

I'm moving from an aviation based job, which is a safety critical industry and so I have a good understanding on safety first.

 

[Lg_]

Training will be 4-5 weeks in Huddersfield at the hub, it’ll include rules, retail and a company induction.

Dependant on which depot you are starting with you may be put up in a hotel.

Then you’ll move back to depot to do routes and traction, again depending on which depot will make a massive difference to the time involved, smaller depots have less routes so less time needed.

 

[liamw35]

Hello, ive recently received an email saying ive been shortlisted for the talent pool for trainee conductor with TPE. I was curious on if anyone has any insight into the job itself, hours, requirements etc for a better idea of if its something I can properly pursue.

This is out of lime street if theres anyone there specifically! Thanks.

 

[Urban-Savage]

Yes me too…. Which was a surprise.
interested in shift patterns, routes and general information about the training etc. Also Lime St based

 

[tm1980]

Same here as previous two posts, an idea of shifts would be greatly appreciated. Currently working 20 years as a retailer for another company and due to have OPC tests for TPE lime st.

 

[MultiTracker23]

Same here as previous two posts, an idea of shifts would be greatly appreciated. Currently working 20 years as a retailer for another company and due to have OPC tests for TPE lime st.

Routes out of Lime Street are Liverpool - Leeds via Chat Moss. Liverpool - Manchester Oxford Road via Cheshire Lines. Also sign down to Manchester Airport. Manchester Picc - Leeds via Guide Bridge as well as the Calder Valley and Normanton diversionary routes.

Shifts vary especially at the moment due to the TRU. But typically the earliest book on is in the area of 04:40 and the latest book off is after midnight.

 

[tm1980]

Thanks, what are the shift patterns like so is it earlies/lates/days or just two shifts? And rest days - currently I have to regularly work 9 days without a day off and every 18 weeks a long weekend… hoping for better!

 

[Fokx]

Thanks, what are the shift patterns like so is it earlies/lates/days or just two shifts? And rest days - currently I have to regularly work 9 days without a day off and every 18 weeks a long weekend… hoping for better!

Long weekend (off) every three weeks.
Longest run of days rostered at work is 7 which falls (Wednesday to Tuesday)

'Committed' Sundays are 1 in 3 paid at enhanced overtime rate

 

[voyagerdude220]

Has anyone got any hints/tips on how to pass the SCAT? I've passed all of the OPC tests apart from the SCAT which I've failed several times. Thanks.

 

[ProperBrew]

Hi Folks, I’ve just sat the OPC tests for TC role and am kicking myself I got to about Q18 and realised I’d been grouping the To/From errors as 1 rather than 2. Threw myself off a little with that. What a pain!

I just wanted to check that it seemed like there was more stuff to do than the time limit allowed for anyone else? I felt I worked pretty quickly but didn’t complete any of the tasks fully.

I also wasn’t invited to do NPT or CSS tests, just the RAAT, SCATT and TCT?

 

[PennineSuperb]

Hi Folks, I’ve just sat the OPC tests for TC role and am kicking myself I got to about Q18 and realised I’d been grouping the To/From errors as 1 rather than 2. Threw myself off a little with that. What a pain!

I just wanted to check that it seemed like there was more stuff to do than the time limit allowed for anyone else? I felt I worked pretty quickly but didn’t complete any of the tasks fully.

I also wasn’t invited to do NPT or CSS tests, just the RAAT, SCATT and TCT?

The standards recently changed and the SCATT, RAAT and TCT are now the OPC testing requirements for Conductors at TransPennine Express.
There is a follow up test at Interview.

 

[MightyMariner]

Hi all, new member! I applied for the Talent Pool role out of Cleethorpes, got the email about the OPC testing just before Christmas and completed them (seems as if I did the same mistake on the To/From part of the ticketing putting it down as 2 errors)

I just wanted to ask what to expect next if I have been successful with the assessment and if anyone has any tips moving forward? I’m told no news is good news so I keep reminding myself that!

 

[chris89]

Hi all, new member! I applied for the Talent Pool role out of Cleethorpes, got the email about the OPC testing just before Christmas and completed them (seems as if I did the same mistake on the To/From part of the ticketing putting it down as 2 errors)

I just wanted to ask what to expect next if I have been successful with the assessment and if anyone has any tips moving forward? I’m told no news is good news so I keep reminding myself that!

If successful for the assessment tests. Will be invited to a interview and just follow through the instructions get there. For the interview for me for a Role at Glasgow (Didn't get, but role went up again, emailed recruitment and said just apply again)

Was general introduction, asked about self what i do and what i know about the role and themselves. Was given a choice between A or B for questions, that were a mixture of 'What would you do in a situation' and name a time X and so on. Was also shown an example of Rota's they had from Glasgow and what the shift patterns etc would be like (May vary at different locations)

Did get feedback after i sadly wasn't successful did 6 out 8 out of the questions to satisfactory level and got some other bits of helpful feedback to.

To add for my date from completing tests with OPC to interview invite was a few days.

 

[MightyMariner]

Hi Folks, I’ve just sat the OPC tests for TC role and am kicking myself I got to about Q18 and realised I’d been grouping the To/From errors as 1 rather than 2. Threw myself off a little with that. What a pain!

I just wanted to check that it seemed like there was more stuff to do than the time limit allowed for anyone else? I felt I worked pretty quickly but didn’t complete any of the tasks fully.

I also wasn’t invited to do NPT or CSS tests, just the RAAT, SCATT and TCT?

Looks like we’re in the same boat mate! Best of luck

 

[tm1980]

Hi Folks, I’ve just sat the OPC tests for TC role and am kicking myself I got to about Q18 and realised I’d been grouping the To/From errors as 1 rather than 2. Threw myself off a little with that. What a pain!

I just wanted to check that it seemed like there was more stuff to do than the time limit allowed for anyone else? I felt I worked pretty quickly but didn’t complete any of the tasks fully.

I also wasn’t invited to do NPT or CSS tests, just the RAAT, SCATT and TCT?

Hi I’m about to take the tests but noticed it says to be completed on a PC/laptop with a mouse. Haven’t got that at home so just wondering is it essential?

 

[chris89]

Hi I’m about to take the tests but noticed it says to be completed on a PC/laptop with a mouse. Haven’t got that at home so just wondering is it essential?

For the RAAT/ TCT helps but isn't majorly needed due to how they are. (Question based)

For the SCAAT beyond recommend having a mouse as how the test is done. As got to be accuarate and quick as possible.

 

[MightyMariner]

Hi all, I’ve been told I’ve passed the OPC assessments so I imagine interview is next, does anybody have any idea what to expect/ what questions are asked at that stage? Thank you

 

[chris89]

Hi all, I’ve been told I’ve passed the OPC assessments so I imagine interview is next, does anybody have any idea what to expect/ what questions are asked at that stage? Thank you

Have a look at my post a few up.

For the exact questions that were asked can’t really remember now.

But correct after passing the OPC tests should be the interview next.

 

[MightyMariner]

Have a look at my post a few up.

For the exact questions that were asked can’t really remember now.

But correct after passing the OPC tests should be the interview next.

Thank you! Appreciate the help

 

[NickM34]

Hi all, I’ve been told I’ve passed the OPC assessments so I imagine interview is next, does anybody have any idea what to expect/ what questions are asked at that stage? Thank you

Hey! My partner is doing her OPC tests tomorrow morning. We’ve downloaded and gone through plenty of practice questions that were available online. RAAT & SCAAT she seems pretty comfortable with, but is struggling a little with the TCT questions.

Can I just ask what specifically was the problem with the To/From part of the questions in the tests please? Was it 1 or 2 errors ect.

Appreciate the help and congrats for getting through to the interviews!

 

[akaMcMonagle]

Hey! My partner is doing her OPC tests tomorrow morning. We’ve downloaded and gone through plenty of practice questions that were available online. RAAT & SCAAT she seems pretty comfortable with, but is struggling a little with the TCT questions.

Can I just ask what specifically was the problem with the To/From part of the questions in the tests please? Was it 1 or 2 errors ect.

Appreciate the help and congrats for getting through to the interviews!

Departure station and Arrival station are classed as 2 separate errors

 

[ProperBrew]

Hi all, I’ve been told I’ve passed the OPC assessments so I imagine interview is next, does anybody have any idea what to expect/ what questions are asked at that stage? Thank you

Congrats! Apologies I’m late picking up your reply, a chaotic start to the year!

How long between was it between completing the tests and hearing back for you?

All the best with the next stage.

 

[Flipped Pacer]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone knows the rules surrounding corrected Double Vision (Diplopia) and conducting. I would assume any form of Double vision corrected or uncorrected is not allowed

I have no issues with my visual field and colour vision and have 6/6 vision corrected and 6/12 uncorrected in both eyes

Thanks

 

[Lewis423]

Hi everyone! Got an email from TPE saying I would be receiving an email to complete the assessments 'shortly' today, roughly how long did people have to wait for this email to come through? Thanks!

 

[voyagerdude220]

Hi everyone! Got an email from TPE saying I would be receiving an email to complete the assessments 'shortly' today, roughly how long did people have to wait for this email to come through? Thanks!

Around a week later, then they gave me a week to complete the assessments. Good luck!

 

[MightyMariner]

Congrats! Apologies I’m late picking up your reply, a chaotic start to the year!

How long between was it between completing the tests and hearing back for you?

All the best with the next stage.

Thank you! I had an email saying I’d passed the assessment around a week after the deadline!

 

[Lewis423]

Around a week later, then they gave me a week to complete the assessments. Good luck!

Thats great thank you! Was worrying that something had gone wrong when I hadn't received it, ill keep an eye out! Is there any good practice material around that you're aware of?

 

[voyagerdude220]

Thats great thank you! Was worrying that something had gone wrong when I hadn't received it, ill keep an eye out! Is there any good practice material around that you're aware of?

They normally send you practice material when they tell you you've been shortlisted, although personally, I'd benefit from being able to take a mock SCAAT and then be told whether it would have been a pass or fail.

 

[LeeP83]

Hi All, new here to the forum, I’ve applied for TC at Newcastle and currently have the OPC assessments to complete by Thursday.

Anyone on here from Newcastle that knows shift patterns etc?

I’m really nervous about this, I currently work in care but looking to follow in my dad and grandads footsteps working in the railway industry.

I would eventually like to go for a drivers job