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Chiltern - Apprentice Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion

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Domo

Member
Joined
20 Feb 2025
Messages
14
Location
Staines
Done and dusted....don't know if I will pass the MMI, I was asked loads and loads of questions, it was a proper grilling.....every detail was scrutinised.
I was told that I will get an email with the outcome in 7-10 working days...
Nice, great job on passing the tests, i wish you the best of luck for your MMI outcome
 

topfisher

Member
Joined
28 May 2025
Messages
58
Location
Somewhere nearby
Where did you do your stage 2 assessment?
Watford

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Done and dusted....don't know if I will pass the MMI, I was asked loads and loads of questions, it was a proper grilling.....every detail was scrutinised.
I was told that I will get an email with the outcome in 7-10 working days...
Just got an email to confirm that I passed stage 2!
Now on to the DMI.
Hopefully be soon?!?
 
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Ridetherails

Member
Joined
19 Feb 2025
Messages
211
Location
Birmingham
That's mental....it sure is a slow process
Tbh the Dmi will be whenever they are doing an intake so not holding my breath. The course of the talent pool. You might hear you might not.

Friend was in Avanti talent pool for 3 years before he got a Dmi after passing opc tests
 

topfisher

Member
Joined
28 May 2025
Messages
58
Location
Somewhere nearby
Tbh the Dmi will be whenever they are doing an intake so not holding my breath. The course of the talent pool. You might hear you might not.

Friend was in Avanti talent pool for 3 years before he got a Dmi after passing opc tests
Wow...
That's not what I was expecting..
Well... at least I have done the assessments and passed...
Let's see what the future holds
 

d44nny

Member
Joined
31 Jan 2023
Messages
73
Location
Birmingham
Just got an email to confirm that I passed stage 2!
Now on to the DMI.
Hopefully be soon?!?
Congratulations that is a quick answer. I did mine on Monday so hopefully not too long a await for me. I know the assessors that did our stage 2 was traveling to derby straight after so could be a little while until they are scored
 

Ridetherails

Member
Joined
19 Feb 2025
Messages
211
Location
Birmingham
Not me

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Just checked my application and it’s still saying 1.7opc so that’s not updated either
 
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topfisher

Member
Joined
28 May 2025
Messages
58
Location
Somewhere nearby
Not me

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Just checked my application and it’s still saying 1.7opc so that’s not updated either
I just checked mine too...it says exactly that 1.7OPC
I don't know what's happening...

I'm starting to think, are we in a talent pool? And they will invite us for DMI as and when vacancies pop up?
 

Ridetherails

Member
Joined
19 Feb 2025
Messages
211
Location
Birmingham
I just checked mine too...it says exactly that 1.7OPC
I don't know what's happening...

I'm starting to think, are we in a talent pool? And they will invite us for DMI as and when vacancies pop up?
Well yeah, lol. Just thought the application would have updated to stage 2 complete by now.

Not holding my breath
 

Ridetherails

Member
Joined
19 Feb 2025
Messages
211
Location
Birmingham
But it’s also about internal logistics. How many spaces on a course, when is the course running, how many trainers, how many mentors further down the line etc…

Frustrating but then again my mates been in the avanti talent pool for over 2 years now.
 

topfisher

Member
Joined
28 May 2025
Messages
58
Location
Somewhere nearby
But it’s also about internal logistics. How many spaces on a course, when is the course running, how many trainers, how many mentors further down the line etc…

Frustrating but then again my mates been in the avanti talent pool for over 2 years now.
Makes sense...
But very frustrating for us....I guess we will just have to wait it out
 

Ridetherails

Member
Joined
19 Feb 2025
Messages
211
Location
Birmingham
yep, talent pool either move very quickly or very slowly.

I missed my original stage 1 assessment day and went on the next one instead ( due to commitments ), but people from that assessment start next month. It’s the way the cookie crumbles sometimes.

End of the day you have enhanced passess so if another TOC opens up recruitment that interests you, you have a few runs up the ladder over most
 

HeelBurton

Member
Joined
10 Mar 2014
Messages
441
Location
Wembley
But it’s also about internal logistics. How many spaces on a course, when is the course running, how many trainers, how many mentors further down the line etc…

Frustrating but then again my mates been in the avanti talent pool for over 2 years now.
Great post. These are things that are quite often not considered. Even the amount of room availability.

I would say though, that yes, you have OPC and you are a “flight risk” to go anywhere. However i do say that you need to consider whether it’s the TOC you are applying for which appeals to you or whether it’s just the fact you want to be a driver.

Quite often or not people will end up applying for anything with OPC, creating a logistical nightmare for themselves in terms of commute or being tied into a TOC for years being unable to move having made the wrong choice.

It’s abit of a minefield this. All these things to consider.

talent pools do tend to move quicker at some places than others and in previous posts you all have a rough idea of when courses are planned to start. Wouldn’t lose complete faith yet and start applying elsewhere because there’s no immediate contact. There’s still time pending notice periods to fill spaces.
 

OneTrackMind

Member
Joined
14 Aug 2014
Messages
102
And Aylesbury is also on there, can’t believe how many spaces must be coming up! Anyone know how many links are there?
 

maf

Member
Joined
24 Jun 2025
Messages
28
Location
Birmingham
Out of curiosity does anyone know the timings and pay scales for Chiltern. I had it somewhere but can’t find / remember it.
I can't remember exactly but something like this;

Start: £32k
2/3 Months: £34k
18 months / qualified driver: £66k
 

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