The previous Tory government wanted to charge the driver for their training, let alone pay them a salary for it. It probably wont be long before that is attempted again. If 26k isnt enough, get a 5-10 year loan to cover the shortfall , i know several do that, but i imagine eventually train driving will go like the airlines where you pay for your training in advance.
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Northern - Trainee Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion
- Thread starter Char41
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RailUK Forums
SiTheTrainGuy
Member
I started training March ‘24. Passed out Jan ‘25 so have been solo around 18 months now. Happy to answer any questions you have.Hi all,
I'd like to thank everyone who contributes to this thread and the assessments and medical thread.
The content in both threads have been a huge help for me in terms of useful information as well as advice for preparation for the different stages of the recruitment process.
I'm sure you have all been a huge help for many other candidates too.
Has anyone recently attended the trainee train driver course or is currently on a course?
I'm looking to link in with anyone who has recently attended or is currently on a course to ask a few questions to help me plan and prepare.
Thanks very much.
northernbadger
Member
I'm on the course at the moment, happy to help if I canHi all,
I'd like to thank everyone who contributes to this thread and the assessments and medical thread.
The content in both threads have been a huge help for me in terms of useful information as well as advice for preparation for the different stages of the recruitment process.
I'm sure you have all been a huge help for many other candidates too.
Has anyone recently attended the trainee train driver course or is currently on a course?
I'm looking to link in with anyone who has recently attended or is currently on a course to ask a few questions to help me plan and prepare.
Thanks very much.
Thanks Loki
It was mostly logistical/housekeeping things around the courses I was interested in, just to help me plan and balance with home life during the classroom training part...so things such as course durations, if there is a planned week off during the course,l and if so how far in, start/finish times, hotels used as I'll be staying over in Leeds, exams, rail passes, uniform etc.
I know the phonetic alphabet but thanks for the heads up about that and about not needing to do any other research/prep. I appreciate you taking the time to reply.
It was mostly logistical/housekeeping things around the courses I was interested in, just to help me plan and balance with home life during the classroom training part...so things such as course durations, if there is a planned week off during the course,l and if so how far in, start/finish times, hotels used as I'll be staying over in Leeds, exams, rail passes, uniform etc.
I know the phonetic alphabet but thanks for the heads up about that and about not needing to do any other research/prep. I appreciate you taking the time to reply.
Unless it's changed since I did it week 10 is a week off.Thanks Loki
It was mostly logistical/housekeeping things around the courses I was interested in, just to help me plan and balance with home life during the classroom training part...so things such as course durations, if there is a planned week off during the course,l and if so how far in, start/finish times, hotels used as I'll be staying over in Leeds, exams, rail passes, uniform etc.
I know the phonetic alphabet but thanks for the heads up about that and about not needing to do any other research/prep. I appreciate you taking the time to reply.
The course lasts 17 weeks, Mon-Fri ( including bank holidays). Usually 09.00-16.00 but likely get flyers on some days with exams every week or 2. After the 17weeks you'll go to your home depot for traction training and then get allocated a minder for your 230 hours before the final exam ( mod 7).
I'm not sure what hotels are used.
If you don't receive your transec before starting they will supply a rail pass for Northern and one for tpe etc if needed.
I already had my uniform as was in house but those off the street got theirs about 2 weeks into the course.
Any other questions drop me a message and I'll help where possible.
Adam Bezance
New Member
Evening all. I was wondering at what point before your training course you had your medical?
After you have passed everything else you will get a medical date, and based on you passing your medical you will get a contract and a firm start date.Evening all. I was wondering at what point before your training course you had your medical?
mattybed21
Member
Afternoon all I’m just looking for a little bit of information if anyone knows it would be greatly appreciated. I have reached the next stage of the recent northern rail train train driver roles. I now have to complete a couple of assessments. Can someone tell me if this is a new thing with Norman and what the assessments entail before I do them tonight.
northernbadger
Member
When I did mine in September, they were:
1. A situational judgement test. This is to check that you can prioritise appropriately and that your situational judgement is sound.
2. A two minute voice note recording explaining why I would be the perfect candidate for the job, which I planned and practiced beforehand. This is to check that you can speak grammatically accurate English.
1. A situational judgement test. This is to check that you can prioritise appropriately and that your situational judgement is sound.
2. A two minute voice note recording explaining why I would be the perfect candidate for the job, which I planned and practiced beforehand. This is to check that you can speak grammatically accurate English.
mattybed21
Member
Are these assessments everyone who has applied gets?
northernbadger
Member
I think there are currently 2 different ways of getting through. One is the way I did it with the online tests, the other seems to be an assessment day that is mentioned on here a few times. I think it's pot luck who ends up doing which one.Are these assessments everyone who has applied gets?
I hope they went well pal
Manda2194
Member
I did the online tests for Liverpool
Ryanc18
Member
Where is everyone up to on the latest vacancies that closed a few weeks back? I did the online tests for Liverpool nearly 2 weeks ago but heard nothing else
Manda2194
Member
Same here mate. Liverpool as well. It was for a talent pool position so I am not expecting a quick process. My last update says I reached the standard for the online tests.Where is everyone up to on the latest vacancies that closed a few weeks back? I did the online tests for Liverpool nearly 2 weeks ago but heard nothing else
IndegoMouse
Member
This is so true, my brother is now a captain for a well known airline however he had to fund all £130k of his training then hope to secure work after he passed!The previous Tory government wanted to charge the driver for their training, let alone pay them a salary for it. It probably wont be long before that is attempted again. If 26k isnt enough, get a 5-10 year loan to cover the shortfall , i know several do that, but i imagine eventually train driving will go like the airlines where you pay for your training in advance.
Ryanc18
Member
Yeah mine says same mate - seems like a waiting game then
Does yours say “you have met the threshold for the trainee train driver assessment”Same here mate. Liverpool as well. It was for a talent pool position so I am not expecting a quick process. My last update says I reached the standard for the online tests.
Ryanc18
Member
Mine doesDoes yours say “you have met the threshold for the trainee train driver assessment”
Manda2194
Member
yes that’s exactly what I said. According to the job advert it’s a phone interview next although I’m not sure if the Maki tests were designed to replace them.Does yours say “you have met the threshold for the trainee train driver assessment”
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Nobody really knows but I think mine was mid 70s. Did they email you your results through?What % was the threshold out of curiosity?
I didn’t apply sorry. Was just wondering what the pass mark was.yes that’s exactly what I said. According to the job advert it’s a phone interview next although I’m not sure if the Maki tests were designed to replace them.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Nobody really knows but I think mine was mid 70s. Did they email you your results through?
double_yeti
New Member
Hi applying to Manchester vic previously applied for pic and did the maki test. Recived a rejection last time due to passing the maki to acceptable level but not the top % they chose to keep in process.
When I applied to Vic this opening my maki tests form last time were used with no options to retake and this time we were sent more information on how we did. I now know I got 81% and I'm showing on the portal the same as the Liverpool applicants "you have met the threshold for the trainee train driver assessment"
When I applied to Vic this opening my maki tests form last time were used with no options to retake and this time we were sent more information on how we did. I now know I got 81% and I'm showing on the portal the same as the Liverpool applicants "you have met the threshold for the trainee train driver assessment"
Manda2194
Member
Wow so you got 81% and didn’t pass?Hi applying to Manchester vic previously applied for pic and did the maki test. Recived a rejection last time due to passing the maki to acceptable level but not the top % they chose to keep in process.
When I applied to Vic this opening my maki tests form last time were used with no options to retake and this time we were sent more information on how we did. I now know I got 81% and I'm showing on the portal the same as the Liverpool applicants "you have met the threshold for the trainee train driver assessment"
double_yeti
New Member
Recived an email stating although I had reached the required level on the maki test they were only progressing with those who got the very highest scores due to a large number if applicantsWow so you got 81% and didn’t pass?