Avanti - Trainee Train Drivers - Recruitment Discussion

[RustyRuss]

Hi, I have got my Stage 1 assessment Centre on the 30th November for Euston:

1. The Trainability for Rules and ProceduresTest Part 1 and 2

2. The Group Bourdon Concentration Test

3. The Test of Everyday Attention forOccupational Assessment (TEA-Occ)


On the PDF they give you with practice sheets, it talks about criteria based questions an interview. I’m I correct in thinking this part is no longer included?

Thanks

I remember noticing this when going through their practice material for stage one also. I think thus far everyone has had the cbi interview as part of their stage 2, mine certainly was. On that thought I would prepare for the 3 tests they have said you will be sitting.
Do your preparation and stay calm for the tests don't get hung up on thinking you've blown it if you make a mistake and focus on the rest of the test. You'll do great!
Interestingly my dmi is scheduled for the same day as your stage 1 good luck.

 

[Porkyboys]

The cbi will be stage 2

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In the information they provide it says criteria based interview, stage 2 is competence based interview which I think is different, this is why Im confused

 

[Sorcerer]

In the information they provide it says criteria based interview, stage 2 is competence based interview which I think is different, this is why Im confused

I don't think the names really make a difference since you'll be taking just one interview at the end of stage 2 provided you pass all the other tests beforehand. Everything in the practice material PDF you're given covers every stage of the assessments even if you don't make it that far.

 

[Porkyboys]

Great thank you. The interview is the only bit I’m worried about, so that’s a bit of a relief that its not until stage 2

 

[bashbash]

Anyone in Preston tomorrow? Any idea how long stage 1 lasts?

 

[Azzer88]

Anyone at Preston on Tuesday? Stage 1 tests.

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Anyone in Preston tomorrow? Any idea how long stage 1 lasts?

3 hours mine says. I’m there Tuesday though? Must be doing 2 days.

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Hi guys I’ve got the Stage 1 face to face tomorrow in Preston. Will this be the CBI interview as well as the online tests?

 

[James92182]

Hi everyone

Manchester applicant here booked in for stage 1 on 1st December. Interestingly I live in Preston and being sent to Crewe for my stage 1 but I've seen some of you have had your stage 1's in Preston.

I'm interested to know how people have found their stage 1's so far? Can anyone confirm it strictly consists of;

1. The Trainability for Rules and ProceduresTest Part 1 and 2

2. The Group Bourdon Concentration Test

3. The Test of Everyday Attention forOccupational Assessment (TEA-Occ)

Best of luck to everyone still in this, perhaps I'll see some of you on the 1st December.

 

[AWCTalentTeam]

Hi everyone

Manchester applicant here booked in for stage 1 on 1st December. Interestingly I live in Preston and being sent to Crewe for my stage 1 but I've seen some of you have had your stage 1's in Preston.

I'm interested to know how people have found their stage 1's so far? Can anyone confirm it strictly consists of;

1. The Trainability for Rules and ProceduresTest Part 1 and 2

2. The Group Bourdon Concentration Test

3. The Test of Everyday Attention forOccupational Assessment (TEA-Occ)

Best of luck to everyone still in this, perhaps I'll see some of you on the 1st December.

Hi James,

The invite from the OPC will tell you exactly what the stage 1 will consist of. Please revisit the invite, if you still have any questions, please contact the OPC directly.

 

[Hardie12]

Anyone had any indication of when Polmadie recruitment may resume ?

 

[Scott.M]

Anyone had any indication of when Polmadie recruitment may resume ?

What stage are you at just now?

 

[Hardie12]

What stage are you at just now?

Waiting on stage 4, just passed GB, Tea occ and TRP.

 

[James92182]

Hi James,

The invite from the OPC will tell you exactly what the stage 1 will consist of. Please revisit the invite, if you still have any questions, please contact the OPC directly.

Understood, thank you for responding!

 

[Scott.M]

Waiting on stage 4, just passed GB, Tea occ and TRP.

When did you take the GB, Tea occ and TRP if you don’t mind me asking? I’m a Polmadie applicant aswell, done mine last Monday just waiting for results. The guy at the assessment day never mentioned anything about the next stage being on pause just said the OPC need to wait for avanti to tell them when to do the next stage. Could be maybe waiting for the group that was delayed because of cancelled testing to catch up.

 

[Hardie12]

When did you take the GB, Tea occ and TRP if you don’t mind me asking? I’m a Polmadie applicant aswell, done mine last Monday just waiting for results. The guy at the assessment day never mentioned anything about the next stage being on pause just said the OPC need to wait for avanti to tell them when to do the next stage. Could be maybe waiting for the group that was delayed because of cancelled testing to catch up.

I completed mine on the 10th of October. I was told Avanti are putting a pause on the recruitment in Scotland and that came from the OPC email. Sitting tight now for email about next stage !!

 

[Azzer88]

Hi everyone

Manchester applicant here booked in for stage 1 on 1st December. Interestingly I live in Preston and being sent to Crewe for my stage 1 but I've seen some of you have had your stage 1's in Preston.

I'm interested to know how people have found their stage 1's so far? Can anyone confirm it strictly consists of;

1. The Trainability for Rules and ProceduresTest Part 1 and 2

2. The Group Bourdon Concentration Test

3. The Test of Everyday Attention forOccupational Assessment (TEA-Occ)

Best of luck to everyone still in this, perhaps I'll see some of you on the 1st December.

If you do the practice tests you won’t be so bad. I thought it was pretty easy. Bourdon is 6 sheets with 45 seconds per page. Low high tones test. You’ve gottta count the low tones like your In a lift and say what floor your on after the tones have finished.

 

[James92182]

If you do the practice tests you won’t be so bad. I thought it was pretty easy. Bourdon is 6 sheets with 45 seconds per page. Low high tones test. You’ve gottta count the low tones like your In a lift and say what floor your on after the tones have finished.

That's really useful thank you! How far down each page did you get with the bourdon test out of curiosity?

 

[Sc07]

I remember noticing this when going through their practice material for stage one also. I think thus far everyone has had the cbi interview as part of their stage 2, mine certainly was. On that thought I would prepare for the 3 tests they have said you will be sitting.
Do your preparation and stay calm for the tests don't get hung up on thinking you've blown it if you make a mistake and focus on the rest of the test. You'll do great!
Interestingly my dmi is scheduled for the same day as your stage 1 good luck.

Hi Rusty, I passed the Stage 2 assessments on the same day as you at Polmadie, and have applied for an Edinburgh job, but haven't heard from Avanti about a DMI yet. Was it an email you got? Best of luck for tomorrow, I hope it goes well for you!

 

[RustyRuss]

Hi Rusty, I passed the Stage 2 assessments on the same day as you at Polmadie, and have applied for an Edinburgh job, but haven't heard from Avanti about a DMI yet. Was it an email you got? Best of luck for tomorrow, I hope it goes well for you!

Fantastic news well done! I did wonder how many of us managed pass marks from the day.
Yes it was an email that I received from avanti themselves so keep refreshing that inbox! Oh and maybe check the spam folders too, best of luck to you when it comes around.

 

[Scott.M]

I completed mine on the 10th of October. I was told Avanti are putting a pause on the recruitment in Scotland and that came from the OPC email. Sitting tight now for email about next stage !!

I’m at the same stage as you now, got my email this morning to say I had passed stage 1 but now on hold.

 

[Azzer88]

That's really useful thank you! How far down each page did you get with the bourdon test out of curiosity?

Think you should aim for 8 accurate lines per page someone said.

 

[RustyRuss]

Well that's it I have completed the selection process, whether or not that results in being talent pooled I shall have to wait and find out. I've a sneaking suspicion that 2 of my answers could have been better polished and as such not perfect. I could have done better but at least I have an invaluable experience to build upon if needs be.
Best of luck to you all still on the journey.

 

[dereksingh291]

any idea when Avanti West Coast will be recruiting for trainee train drivers again for all of its depots including Wolverhampton because id love to drive the Pendolino trains one day but also how much life have the Pendolino trains got left in them considering theyve been in service since 2002 and have been refurbished ever since?

 

[43066]

any idea when Avanti West Coast will be recruiting for trainee train drivers again for all of its depots including Wolverhampton because id love to drive the Pendolino trains one day but also how much life have the Pendolino trains got left in them considering theyve been in service since 2002 and have been refurbished ever since?

It’s probably better to focus on why you want to be a train driver, whether you have the right attributes, whether you would be able to cope with the demands of the job, shifts etc. rather then fixating on driving a particular traction type, at one specific TOC…

 

[jdwmfc]

It’s probably better to focus on why you want to be a train driver, whether you have the right attributes, whether you would be able to cope with the demands of the job, shifts etc. rather then fixating on driving a particular traction type, at one specific TOC…

If you look at his forum posts you will see he isn't fixated on just driving on traction type at one specific TOC. But he is obviously passionate about that one. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

 

[Aviator88]

It’s probably better to focus on why you want to be a train driver, whether you have the right attributes, whether you would be able to cope with the demands of the job, shifts etc. rather then fixating on driving a particular traction type, at one specific TOC…

Great advice, hopefully heeded!

 

[7819Hinton]

It’s probably better to focus on why you want to be a train driver, whether you have the right attributes, whether you would be able to cope with the demands of the job, shifts etc. rather then fixating on driving a particular traction type, at one specific TOC…

I agree with this. Some really good advice.

 

[Addy777]

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Hi mate if you pm me I'll let you know which I've been using, I think it certainly helped me with the vse.

Hi mate can you let me know which software you used for computer stages of the test. Thanks

 

[m4rky1985]

Good moring,

I've got my stage 1 with the OPC in just under 2 weeks time and have a couple of questions that hopefully someone will be able to help with who's already done the assessment...

1. Can you take a bottle of water in with you?

2. For the tones testing can you wear headphones?

3. Can anyone advise on where to get some more practice examples for TRP1 please? I've done the one provided from the TOC, I've found 2 more examples online and paid £9 for a single example from the TOC but would ideally like a couple more as its the only bit I'm not overly confident on. I can't really re-use the examples I've attempted as I pretty much know the info I need.

Thanks for any help/info

 

[bashbash]

Good moring,

I've got my stage 1 with the OPC in just under 2 weeks time and have a couple of questions that hopefully someone will be able to help with who's already done the assessment...

1. Can you take a bottle of water in with you?

2. For the tones testing can you wear headphones?

3. Can anyone advise on where to get some more practice examples for TRP1 please? I've done the one provided from the TOC, I've found 2 more examples online and paid £9 for a single example from the TOC but would ideally like a couple more as its the only bit I'm not overly confident on. I can't really re-use the examples I've attempted as I pretty much know the info I need.

Thanks for any help/info

Hi,

1. Yes and water was also provided in bottles at the back of the room when I attended.

2. I’m not sure but I doubt it. It was played over a speaker to the whole room at my stage 1. It was clear enough for everyone to hear though and nobody had any issues (that I know of).

3. I can’t help with any actual training material sorry. What I did do was ask my wife to find some information from instruction manuals and read it aloud while I read, I then had her create some questions. Taking some notes for points you think sound key really helps. Be aware though, your notes will be taken away before answering.

Sorry I couldn’t be of more help. Good luck.

 

[Aviator88]

Good moring,

I've got my stage 1 with the OPC in just under 2 weeks time and have a couple of questions that hopefully someone will be able to help with who's already done the assessment...

1. Can you take a bottle of water in with you?

2. For the tones testing can you wear headphones?

3. Can anyone advise on where to get some more practice examples for TRP1 please? I've done the one provided from the TOC, I've found 2 more examples online and paid £9 for a single example from the TOC but would ideally like a couple more as its the only bit I'm not overly confident on. I can't really re-use the examples I've attempted as I pretty much know the info I need.

Thanks for any help/info

I took a bottle of water in with me. I pulled the label off it beforehand but I doubt that was necessary.

My experience was the same as above - the tones were played over a speaker to the whole room. I  doubt they'd permit headphones, because technically it may give you an advantage/disadvantage against the controlled conditions of the test.

It's possibly a good idea though, as there have been a couple of stories on here of earthworks being carried out next to the building at the critical moment!