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Avanti - Trainee Train Drivers - Recruitment Discussion
- Thread starter kajojek3232
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Grvrdvicdr
Member
Don’t be surprised if it’s a year or longer… anything less is actually pretty short
ChooWoo
Member
Second that
So the timeline is a year for the DMI? And then another year or two after the DMI? I thought the waiting game was after, bit of a surprise there
ChooWoo
Member
Well I've been waiting for DMI since March 2024, they certainly dont rush just the odd holding email from them.
I think different depots different timescales however
What date did you attend stage 2?
18th of May
Driver Trainer · First Trenitalia West Coast Rail
Join us as a Driver Trainer and help shape the next generation of train drivers. As we continue to invest in our people, technology and operational excellenc...
www.careers.avantiwestcoast.co.uk
I know this doesn't imply that we will get emails for DMIs anytime soon but be hopeful!
They're currently recruiting for Driver Trainers, 2026 might be the year that you get the call up
hi, i passed in feb 2024 too, had my dmi in january this year, and got placed into the talent pool, i had an email in april " Just to let you know, all places on our 2026 courses have now been filled. We’re currently waiting for confirmation of the 2027 course dates. If any spaces become available on the May or June courses due to cancellations, we’ll get in touch with the next candidate(s) on the list to offer those places. ", so unfortunately i cant see any more movement until early next year.
ChooWoo
Member
Im still waiting for the DMI, was that for Wolves?
no manchester, i also applied for liverpool, so not sure if the one dmi pass applies for both depots
ChooWoo
Member
You'd think so as same scoring system.... but theres a right way, a wrong way and a rail way lol
Were the questions that came up similar to the following?:
- Give an example of a time which demonstrates you can be relied upon to do a job well, even when in the face of difficulties?
- Give an example of a time when you had to do a task where it was important to not make a mistake.
- Give an example of a time you have been required to follow strict rules and procedures?
- Describe a situation where you have had to take control of a pressurised or emergency situation?
- Give an example of a situation where you have had to really preserve to learn or achieve something?
- Give an example of a task you have undertaken that you think is similar to a task within the train driver role
trainnewbie25
Member
I done mine last year with Avanti and near word for word the same off the top of my head.
I done mine last year with Avanti and near word for word the same off the top of my head.
Thanks for replying, I really appreciate it! Any top topics for the interview? what kind of follow up questions do they ask? I know it's been quite some time since you've done yours, but any help would be great
trainnewbie25
Member
I done mine last year with Avanti and near word for word the same off the top of my head.
Thanks for replying, I really appreciate it! Any top topics for the interview? what kind of follow up questions do they ask? I know it's been quite some time since you've done yours, but any help would be great
The way I understand it is depending on what you answer their questions with l,dictates what they need to ask if that makes sense?
But be prepared to get asked how it made u feel and then trying to fluster you.And use real examples because they will go into detail.
trainnewbie25
Member
Mine was around 3 hours for stage 2 then an hour for CBI but another person from my class was in nearly 2 hours.
It can finish early if there is a small number of people but if there's a large group and you all make it through to the CBI then it could end up taking you until the time of 17:30.
My own experience finished up before midday, it was one other candidate and I. Our interviews happened at the same time roughly as there were two interviewers trained to conduct the CBI.
Hope this gives you a better idea of what to expect, good luck on the day!
I've completed my Avanti Stage 2 today, and it was really nerve-racking. I passed all four online assessments, but I'm unsure how I did in the Competency-Based Interview.
After the interview, I felt quite disappointed because I don't think my answers were as strong as I had hoped. I had prepared using the STAR method, but the interviewer asked a lot of follow-up questions. Almost every time I finished a sentence, they would ask another question, so I didn't get to deliver my answers the way I had practised.
I'm honestly not feeling very confident about my performance or my answers.
After the interview, I felt quite disappointed because I don't think my answers were as strong as I had hoped. I had prepared using the STAR method, but the interviewer asked a lot of follow-up questions. Almost every time I finished a sentence, they would ask another question, so I didn't get to deliver my answers the way I had practised.
I'm honestly not feeling very confident about my performance or my answers.
Don't stress, making it all the way to the CBI is an achievement in itself!
I know what you mean about the quick interrupting questions midway through your answer
, they can really throw you off.They'll let you know soon on the outcome of today though. Try and keep your hopes high you've done well!
I had similar experience with MMI with different TOC, felt like whatever I said wasn’t enough, I got lots of follow up questions and even different scenarios to discuss
I wasn’t successful but hope you have a positive outcome. It’s a long 7 day wait
Thank you for that, buddy. 7-10 working days feels like a long wait, but there's nothing I can do now except be patient and wait for the result. Whatever happens, happens, and I'll deal with it when I know.Don't stress, making it all the way to the CBI is an achievement in itself!
I know what you mean about the quick interrupting questions midway through your answer
They'll let you know soon on the outcome of today though. Try and keep your hopes high you've done well!
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Yes, that's one thing I need to do now to just wait. I'm hoping for the best, though. Fingers crossed! Thank you.
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I just received an email from OPC saying that I didn't pass the CBI because I didn't meet the required standard. I'm so sad about this news. Now I have to wait a year before I can apply again, if there is another Trainee Train Driver position available with Avanti West Coast.
It's really disappointing because I passed all the psychometric tests, but the CBI was so hard. I guess it's just better luck next time. I'll keep improving and come back stronger.
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Twin82
Member
Sorry about your outcome mate. What depot were you applying for? Do you know if you will have to retest on all the tests you’ve done or will your test still be valid?
Gutted for you @kiro
Try and keep your head held high, you've done really well making it to the CBI mate, I know it's gut wrenching getting that unfortunately email...
I recommend looking back on the experience and thinking about how you can do better when you get your next CBI/ MMI so that you walk in there feeling confident and more prepared.
Make sure to reach out to the OPC for feedback ASAP on your interview. It will give you more insight as to what they thought of your interview.
Hope everybody is well. Had my stage 2
At Watford this week. Managed to get to the CBI. Felt pretty confident. That evaporated within around 10 mins when she told me I needed another answer to my second question. Don’t think I really recovered after that and the constant interruptions threw my Star method off. Has anybody passed where that happened to them. Feel
Absolutely gutted.
At Watford this week. Managed to get to the CBI. Felt pretty confident. That evaporated within around 10 mins when she told me I needed another answer to my second question. Don’t think I really recovered after that and the constant interruptions threw my Star method off. Has anybody passed where that happened to them. Feel
Absolutely gutted.
It’s gutting, a real blow after passing all the other stages. You really do think you’re on the home straight after passing all the other stages.
I had a similar feeling recently after completing the CBI, got asked for a second example for one of my answers when my initial example was not quite what they were after.
I then got asked to address a hypothetical situation when that second example was also deemed not quite what they were after too!
I was kicking myself post interview as I thought of loads of other examples that would've been suitable in hindsight and was convinced I'd squandered the opportunity. Very frustrating feeling but I was consoled by the fact I'd made it so far through the process and was confident that I could do much better the next time round.
Fast forward a few days and I received an email from the OPC congratulating me for succesfully completing stage 2 and to await instructions from Avanti about a DMI.
You're in a good position either way, still in with a shot this time but even if not successful now, you know what to focus on next time around. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
When did you complete your CBI and when is your DMI?