Avanti - Trainee Train Drivers - Recruitment Discussion

[JC108]

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.

Thank you for the reply.
That is literally exactly what happened. Asked me for a second example and a little bit into it she stopped me and gave me a scenario about a man in a frozen lake.
Thought my answers to that was ok actually but literally the rest of the interview in the back of my mind I was fearing the worse.
It was only on Thursday so imagine I’ll hear this week. But like you, after I was kicking myself and thinking I had so many others I could have given.
I guess that the whole point of the cbi. Think I stayed calm and never really got flustered but I guess the proof will be in the pudding

 

[tallFella]

Thank you for the reply.
That is literally exactly what happened. Asked me for a second example and a little bit into it she stopped me and gave me a scenario about a man in a frozen lake.
Thought my answers to that was ok actually but literally the rest of the interview in the back of my mind I was fearing the worse.
It was only on Thursday so imagine I’ll hear this week. But like you, after I was kicking myself and thinking I had so many others I could have given.
I guess that the whole point of the cbi. Think I stayed calm and never really got flustered but I guess the proof will be in the pudding

They gave me that exact same situation, think I handled it pretty well but yeah it was a curve ball to say the least lol

 

[Jools619]

hi all

Bit of a general one…

Does anyone have an idea about when Avanti might advertise again for their next wave of Trainee Train Drivers? (specifically in the Manchester area)

 

[Sorcerer]

hi all

Bit of a general one…

Does anyone have an idea about when Avanti might advertise again for their next wave of Trainee Train Drivers? (specifically in the Manchester area)

Nobody knows. The best thing to do is just sign up for job alerts and keep an eye on Avanti's vacancy page. I'm not sure they've even properly finished with the last few rounds of Manchester recruitment.

 

[JC108]

They gave me that exact same situation, think I handled it pretty well but yeah it was a curve ball to say the least lol

That fills me with more hope than I had. I literally thought when she did that. It was over as mine simply wasn’t good enough. Makes me think that it’s an interview tactic. You got through and so did @hb129 so there is hope yet as you both had similar experiences.

 

[tallFella]

That fills me with more hope than I had. I literally thought when she did that. It was over as mine simply wasn’t good enough. Makes me think that it’s an interview tactic. You got through and so did @hb129 so there is hope yet as you both had similar experiences.

So that particular scenario is like an emergency situation. If you don’t work in emergency services it’s unlikely that you’ll have a scenario which will meet the criteria for that question. Which is why they provide the frozen lake situation.

Or they’re trying to throw you off and see how you react under pressure.

 

[JC108]

So that particular scenario is like an emergency situation. If you don’t work in emergency services it’s unlikely that you’ll have a scenario which will meet the criteria for that question. Which is why they provide the frozen lake situation.

Or they’re trying to throw you off and see how you react under pressure.

I think it could be that. Heard some people have been flustered/angry when it’s happened to them. Still haven’t heard anything yet so just hope it is positive news when it comes

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

Found out today I passed the CBI. So, well chuffed. DMI next. No idea how soon it will be. Anybody got any ideas if it is a long wait?

 

[tallFella]

I think it could be that. Heard some people have been flustered/angry when it’s happened to them. Still haven’t heard anything yet so just hope it is positive news when it comes
Found out today I passed the CBI. So, well chuffed. DMI next. No idea how soon it will be. Anybody got any ideas if it is a long wait?

Congratulations on getting past the CBI, I know you were feeling ecstatic when you read that email!

It took them a little over a month to send my invitation but I’ve read various timeframes on this forum.

 

[JC108]

Congratulations on getting past the CBI, I know you were feeling ecstatic when you read that email!

It took them a little over a month to send my invitation but I’ve read various timeframes on this forum.

Cheers mate. Thank you. I was in teams meeting at the time. Couldn’t help the smile on my face. Ok cool. Thank you. Have you had the DMI if so how long before they got back to you.

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

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.

Managed to pass mate. Felt very much like you. Do feel that was all part of the process. Maybe to see if you got flustered etc or how you reacted to something unexpected. Only heard today. Looking at the thread it looks like it could be ages to hear about a DMI. Are you for Euston? I had a friend who went for another toc. Got a date for the DMI a day after being told he passed stage 2 but doesn’t look like that happens with Avanti

 

[hb129]

When did you complete your CBI and when is your DMI?

Completed my CBI in July, still awaiting DMI

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Aug 2026 ==

Cheers mate. Thank you. I was in teams meeting at the time. Couldn’t help the smile on my face. Ok cool. Thank you. Have you had the DMI if so how long before they got back to you.

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


Managed to pass mate. Felt very much like you. Do feel that was all part of the process. Maybe to see if you got flustered etc or how you reacted to something unexpected. Only heard today. Looking at the thread it looks like it could be ages to hear about a DMI. Are you for Euston? I had a friend who went for another toc. Got a date for the DMI a day after being told he passed stage 2 but doesn’t look like that happens with Avanti

Yeah, I'm Euston too. Looks like a longer wait with AWC than some other TOCs but going off what I've read here, the number of applicants for AWC driver roles is very high.

They've put on quite a lot of OPC assessment days for this round of recruitment so far so I think the rest of the process will understandably take a while given the numbers involved.

 

[JC108]

Completed my CBI in July, still awaiting DMI

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Aug 2026 ==


Yeah, I'm Euston too. Looks like a longer wait with AWC than some other TOCs but going off what I've read here, the number of applicants for AWC driver roles is very high.

They've put on quite a lot of OPC assessment days for this round of recruitment so far so I think the rest of the process will understandably take a while given the numbers involved.

Cheers mate. Yeah I imagine it won’t be quick. I guess patience is a virtue

 

[Worldwide]

They are recruiting for train manager's at Euston now..

 

[Horizon22]

They are recruiting for train manager's at Euston now..

If you want to discuss recruitment of Train Managers, please use this thread.

 

[nalla]

Hi everyone, I have been in the talent pool for over a year with Avanti and have not had an update since March 2025. Does anyone on here know more?

last i heard, all the courses for this year are taken so will be next year at the earliest

 

[tallFella]

The earliest course dates are in the upcoming years.
2027-2028 will be the next years for onboarding.
It’s 10 people per course/ classroom and they select individuals based on what the businesses needs are.

 

[JC108]

The earliest course dates are in the upcoming years.
2027-2028 will be the next years for onboarding.
It’s 10 people per course/ classroom and they select individuals based on what the businesses needs are.

Nice. Have you done your DMI now?

 

[JC108]

Anybody still awaiting a date for a DMI. Been told it will be mid Sep but yet to hear anything or confirmation.