Chiltern - Apprentice Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[enriquee]

Yup

Did you complete your stage 2 assessment around October and got results back in December? Want to see if we’re in the same group. My group there was three of us

 

[lifeisarail]

Did you complete your stage 2 assessment around October and got results back in December? Want to see if we’re in the same group. My group there was three of us

No I’ve done the tests with another toc just waiting for the dmi

 

[enriquee]

No I’ve done the tests with another toc just waiting for the dmi

Ohh okay when did you apply?

 

[lifeisarail]

Ohh okay when did you apply?

June 2025 if I’m not mistaken

 

[Subutai001]

I was unfortunately unsuccessful in my recent DMI - the notification email was an uncompleted template that had "Insert email here" for requesting feedback and neither the person who organised the interview nor the recruitment email have responded to date. Noting HeelBurton's earlier point on the recruitment inbox being snowed under but now quite outside the longest aimed response time in the auto-reply, can anybody confirm the correct address to contact please? The fact an email is supposed to be inserted into the template makes me wonder if it isn't the generic recruitment address.

 

[HeelBurton]

I was unfortunately unsuccessful in my recent DMI - the notification email was an uncompleted template that had "Insert email here" for requesting feedback and neither the person who organised the interview nor the recruitment email have responded to date. Noting HeelBurton's earlier point on the recruitment inbox being snowed under but now quite outside the longest aimed response time in the auto-reply, can anybody confirm the correct address to contact please? The fact an email is supposed to be inserted into the template makes me wonder if it isn't the generic recruitment address

Another resort would be to contact the people who interviewed you on the day, as they would have left you contact details.

Explain your situation. Perhaps they can provide feedback or push this up the chain for you.

 

[enriquee]

June 2025 if I’m not mistaken

Around same time I applied

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Feb 2026 ==

I was unfortunately unsuccessful in my recent DMI - the notification email was an uncompleted template that had "Insert email here" for requesting feedback and neither the person who organised the interview nor the recruitment email have responded to date. Noting HeelBurton's earlier point on the recruitment inbox being snowed under but now quite outside the longest aimed response time in the auto-reply, can anybody confirm the correct address to contact please? The fact an email is supposed to be inserted into the template makes me wonder if it isn't the generic recruitment address.

Ahhh unlucky man!

 

[Subutai001]

Another resort would be to contact the people who interviewed you on the day, as they would have left you contact details.

Explain your situation. Perhaps they can provide feedback or push this up the chain for you.

Thanks, I do have their details so will go that route.

Also, thanks for all your responses and time taken in this thread, it helped a lot in reading through this in preparation (even if I was unsuccessful this time).

Ahhh unlucky man!

Is what it is, will go after the feedback, take it on board and hopefully try again in the near future before the OPC assessements expire!

 

[HeelBurton]

Thanks, I do have their details so will go that route.

Also, thanks for all your responses and time taken in this thread, it helped a lot in reading through this in preparation (even if I was unsuccessful this time).


Is what it is, will go after the feedback, take it on board and hopefully try again in the near future before the OPC assessements expire!

No worries. Most DMI’s are similar. It’s important to use the STAR technique and have very good examples. The examples need to be real life experiences you’ve faced. Specifically think of what you did. The T (Task) and your A (Action) They don’t have to be in a working environment either unless the question mentions something along the line of managers actions during a S (situation). The probing questions if you make the situation up will catch you. You do not have to rush into answers and we are not looking for answers or (Situation) that have positive feedback as such but maybe things you might do differently or how you learnt from it and applied techniques in future to improve the R(Result)

Remember you are trying to show what you would do, not what you wouldn’t do. Which is why it has to be a real life situation.

I hope this helps.

 

[Matteo1988]

Hi,I applied for aylesbury and I ve noticed that the vacancy has been changed. Initially the course was starting in February but now they changed for all year 2026..what do we have to expect now?

 

[HeelBurton]

Hi,I applied for aylesbury and I ve noticed that the vacancy has been changed. Initially the course was starting in February but now they changed for all year 2026..what do we have to expect now?

Well considering that Feb is nearly over, this is more of an accurate reflection that there are ongoing courses running throughout the year. It’s just a general update to reflect the current stage of training courses

 

[enriquee]

Well considering that Feb is nearly over, this is more of an accurate reflection that there are ongoing courses running throughout the year. It’s just a general update to reflect the current stage of training courses

Yeeh I seen a few people who are in their final months of training that they started last year. Maybe they’re finishing those individuals first before moving to us now

 

[HeelBurton]

Yeeh I seen a few people who are in their final months of training that they started last year. Maybe they’re finishing those individuals first before moving to us now

Yes and no.

There were 5 drivers courses last year. But there’s limited rooms, limited trainers, limited driver instructors etc. we can’t just run courses back to back, or at the same time. In an ideal world this would be great. But the world isn’t ideal.

The courses get staged throughout the year as a consequence, but the DFT also have a say in when courses can run.

There are a number of courses throughout this year, which are staggered. I can’t say when, but with trainee train driver jobs once you apply, it’s about patience. It’s a long process from “street to seat”

The information was updated online to reflect the current situation of the business.

I hope all this helps

 

[enriquee]

Yes and no.

There were 5 drivers courses last year. But there’s limited rooms, limited trainers, limited driver instructors etc. we can’t just run courses back to back, or at the same time. In an ideal world this would be great. But the world isn’t ideal.

The courses get staged throughout the year as a consequence, but the DFT also have a say in when courses can run.

There are a number of courses throughout this year, which are staggered. I can’t say when, but with trainee train driver jobs once you apply, it’s about patience. It’s a long process from “street to seat”

The information was updated online to reflect the current situation of the business.

I hope all this helps

5 courses? At all depots?? Are just a specific one. But thank you

 

[HeelBurton]

5 courses? At all depots?? Are just a specific one. But thank you

mixture of all depots on one course

 

[Elf]

If you’ve got two applications open for the same role, this probably has halted your progress. I would close one. I’ve advised a few people of this before and then applications have progressed, but again; no set time expectation here.

Another thing is I am sure OPC will shut down for Christmas and new years. So depends on when your tests expire; you might have to do them again anyway sadly.

Hi HeelBurton and others. I wonder if you could shed some light into my situation. Do I need to manually withdraw the unsuccessful applications?

I passed the DMI and medical around Feb 2024 but did not start due to some restrictions. I applied again in Sep 2024 (CR000399) but was later told the campaign was cancelled.

I applied again on 1 Sep 2025 (CR000728) and made the recruiter aware that I already passed all Chiltern tests. The recruiter said he would check with OPC and come back to me, but I never heard back. The application was soon set to 'unsuccessful after application' within days, without any explanation.

A few days later, a new ad came out (CR000883) with the exact same requirement. I submitted another application. It's been stuck at '1.7 OPC Stage 1' ever since.

I am surprised to have found that some people in this thread have shared that they are starting in Aylesbury this year, some of whom only did their DMI recently. While I understand that Chiltern has many to choose from, given the fact that I already have valid OPC results, an on-going application, and a recruiter supposedly promising 'fast track' in 2024 and chasing OPC up in 2025, I am literally puzzled in 2026...

Is there anything I can do please? Thank you in advance.

 

[HeelBurton]

Hi HeelBurton and others. I wonder if you could shed some light into my situation. Do I need to manually withdraw the unsuccessful applications?

I passed the DMI and medical around Feb 2024 but did not start due to some restrictions. I applied again in Sep 2024 (CR000399) but was later told the campaign was cancelled.

I applied again on 1 Sep 2025 (CR000728) and made the recruiter aware that I already passed all Chiltern tests. The recruiter said he would check with OPC and come back to me, but I never heard back. The application was soon set to 'unsuccessful after application' within days, without any explanation.

A few days later, a new ad came out (CR000883) with the exact same requirement. I submitted another application. It's been stuck at '1.7 OPC Stage 1' ever since.

I am surprised to have found that some people in this thread have shared that they are starting in Aylesbury this year, some of whom only did their DMI recently. While I understand that Chiltern has many to choose from, given the fact that I already have valid OPC results, an on-going application, and a recruiter supposedly promising 'fast track' in 2024 and chasing OPC up in 2025, I am literally puzzled in 2026...

Is there anything I can do please? Thank you in advance.

View attachment 199862

There’s a lot to Dissect here so I’ll DM you

 

[Thomas999]

There’s a lot to Dissect here so I’ll DM you

Hi HeelBurton, apologies for asking this but if Iay reach out and ask if you could also DM me as I am in the same situation here as described from Elf. Same 3 applications and application references along with similar timeline and current stage showing on my online portal.

 

[HeelBurton]

Hi HeelBurton, apologies for asking this but if Iay reach out and ask if you could also DM me as I am in the same situation here as described from Elf. Same 3 applications and application references along with similar timeline and current stage showing on my online portal.

Sigh

Message me and send me screenshots. I am on annual leave

 

[Thomas999]

Sigh

Message me and send me screenshots. I am on annual leave

Hi HeelBurton,

Thank you so much for the response, I feel terrible as you are on annual leave and so please accept my apologies.

I can't seem to find the function to DM you, maybe as I haven't posted the minimum required conversations on here.

Please see attached screenshots for now.

I have the 3 outstanding applications still there;
1. CR000399 - VSE Testing stage
2. CR000728 - No stage stated
3. CR000883 - No stage stated

I too have already passed the OPC assessments in September/October 2025.

 

[kennyledzep]

There’s a lot to Dissect here so I’ll DM you

Hello HeelBurton, sorry to bother you. I’m in a similar spot: passed the full National Suite and MMI with ScotRail in late 2025 (Nov). I’m a local Chesham resident applying for the Aylesbury Apprentice role. My portal is stuck at '1.7 OPC Stage 1'. Is there a specific way to flag to the Aylesbury recruitment team that my passes are current and ready for transfer, so I don't get lost in the 'fresher' pile? Many thanks, Kenny

 

[HeelBurton]

Hello HeelBurton, sorry to bother you. I’m in a similar spot: passed the full National Suite and MMI with ScotRail in late 2025 (Nov). I’m a local Chesham resident applying for the Aylesbury Apprentice role. My portal is stuck at '1.7 OPC Stage 1'. Is there a specific way to flag to the Aylesbury recruitment team that my passes are current and ready for transfer, so I don't get lost in the 'fresher' pile? Many thanks, Kenny

youve got two applications open and one has progressed further than the other. I would close one.

No way really to flag. I would assume you are currently awaiting for an interview, but there’s a few people in the same situation, and I would assume a few hundred.

When the vacancies then arrive; the system moves forward. And you’ll be invited to the DMI.

It’s the waiting game. Patience required here.

 

[kennyledzep]

Thank you, i truly appreciate you getting back to me.

 

[Ridetherails]

Anyone on the April course? If so have you heard anything yet / had any details?

 

[JWRail007]

Anyone on the April course? If so have you heard anything yet / had any details?

Can I ask when you interviewed and was given the position on this intake?

 

[HeelBurton]

Can I ask when you interviewed and was given the position on this intake?

There has been no Aylesbury intake since you last asked the question. This is for a different depot.

 

[enriquee]

There has been no Aylesbury intake since you last asked the question. This is for a different depot.

Assuming Marleybone is the same? Second half of this you said init

 

[HeelBurton]

Assuming Marleybone is the same? Second half of this you said init

I did. Unless there’s a drastic business change as this can and will skew processes. They would “normally” draw from talent pools first.

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Anyone on the April course? If so have you heard anything yet / had any details?

Usually onboarding and joining instructions come up to a week before. I’d expect you’ll hear something next week.

 

[Ridetherails]

I did. Unless there’s a drastic business change as this can and will skew processes. They would “normally” draw from talent pools first.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Mar 2026 ==


Usually onboarding and joining instructions come up to a week before. I’d expect you’ll hear something next week.

Here’s hoping lol

Can I ask when you interviewed and was given the position on this intake?

Tbh it was that long ago I don’t remember

 

[enriquee]

I did. Unless there’s a drastic business change as this can and will skew processes. They would “normally” draw from talent pools first.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Mar 2026 ==


Usually onboarding and joining instructions come up to a week before. I’d expect you’ll hear something next week.

Would the talent pool be people awaiting DMI? Or already passed it