Elf
Member
Same here. I have been trying to get in touch for quite a while. Any news?
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Chiltern - Apprentice Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion
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Ridetherails
Member
All quiet here since MMI.
Last thing I had was passed all tests from OPC and application handed back to Chiltern for them to deal with
kourblimey
Member
Current qualified pay is a little over £65k, excluding Sundays.
Each booked Sunday worked adds a min of £501.48 to the salary.
Taxi agreement at Marylebone is for any sign on before 5:30am, and any sign off after midnight (iirc)
Earliest book on is around 05:20, and latest finish around 01:30.
Newly qualified drivers go into the starter link, and then proceed to the main link after PQ.
Thanks for this, weighing up whether to apply as a qualified. Taxi agreement to/from your nearest station? What’s the work content like? Also any difference between the starter or main link?
kourblimey
Member
Taxi agreement is to/from home address.
Nice variety of work at Marylebone, signing Oxford, Aylesbury via the MET and Birmingham. I’m doing my hours at the moment, and thoroughly enjoying the work content.
Starter link and Main link drivers both sign the same routes and traction, although PQ drivers do not currently drive the locos (class 68’s) but I believe that’s being looked at, so could change in the future.
topfisher
Member
Hello everyone,
Those who have passed all the OPC Tests recently (stage 2), has anyone heard anything about DMI?
I passed my OPC stage 2 and I am still waiting to hear/invite for DMI.
Thank you
Those who have passed all the OPC Tests recently (stage 2), has anyone heard anything about DMI?
I passed my OPC stage 2 and I am still waiting to hear/invite for DMI.
Thank you
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Ridetherails
Member
Same here been best part of 4 weeks for me
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Has your application on chiltern career page changed? Mine still says OPC Stage 1.7
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topfisher
Member
No contact from Chiltern and nothing changed on the candidate portal...still says stage 1.7.
I don't know what's going on..... patience is key here....
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Ridetherails
Member
Same and agreed, even if to say we have your results back from opc and will be in touch in due time etc…
At least we all seem to be in the same boat
topfisher
Member
It is what it is mate...Same and agreed, even if to say we have your results back from opc and will be in touch in due time etc…
At least we all seem to be in the same boat
Just sit and wait...
Ridetherails
Member
Yep tbh I would be surprised to hear anything before mid September
topfisher
Member
Mid September would work great for me... fingers crossed for that
HeelBurton
Member
Which depot?
Thomas999
Member
Hi, I applied for the apprentice train driver @ Aylesbury at the beginning of June, got an email straight away saying 'thank you for your application, we will be in contact when your application is reviewed'.
I haven't heard anything since..
topfisher
Member
I'm asking about Any depot
HeelBurton
Member
Various depots have various recruitment requirements and drivers needs. This is why I was attempting to narrow it down to where specifically you was referring to.
topfisher
Member
I completely understand that, however, it appears that no one has heard anything about DMI recently.
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You will soon have to complete VSE online, it's pretty simple, just make sure U have no distractions when completing the assessment
Elf
Member
Aylesbury. Thank you.
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Could you kindly shed some light on Aylesbury when you have a moment? Much appreciated!
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Ridetherails
Member
Nope, well I should say I haven’t. Application still at 1.7
d44nny
Member
No nothing yet
Mine is still at “1.2 VSE Testing” but we’re obviously well past that stage
Thanks for the replies.
HeelBurton
Member
It appears that lots of people here appear to be in the same situation regarding no further progress.
I am aware that OPC now have split the assessment over two days. Unless you have completed both days, this is probably why you have not progressed.
Admittedly I do not know what the full days consist of as it appears the process has changed and this is not in my remit. This might help with many who have had their applications stuck for a while on one stage and have not progressed further.
Trying to assist to find out why so many people appear to be stuck at various points but also there’s very little information I post without compromising my position with my employer.
Perhaps someone who has recently passed can explain what tests they sat on what days to provide information to the majority, so they know where they currently stand.
All the best
I am aware that OPC now have split the assessment over two days. Unless you have completed both days, this is probably why you have not progressed.
Admittedly I do not know what the full days consist of as it appears the process has changed and this is not in my remit. This might help with many who have had their applications stuck for a while on one stage and have not progressed further.
Trying to assist to find out why so many people appear to be stuck at various points but also there’s very little information I post without compromising my position with my employer.
Perhaps someone who has recently passed can explain what tests they sat on what days to provide information to the majority, so they know where they currently stand.
All the best
Ridetherails
Member
I hear what you are saying but some of us have had our applications handed back to Chiltern having completed everything OPC related and waiting on DMI’s with Chiltern, although our applications still show at various stages of opc even though complete.
I just presume it’s because no courses are running until later in the year so they are sat in a pile to be processed when they are ready to move forward with the next course
I just presume it’s because no courses are running until later in the year so they are sat in a pile to be processed when they are ready to move forward with the next course
HeelBurton
Member
That’s how talent pools and rail recruitment works. You get an invite to DMI when a vacancy arises and I understand that’s frustrating but with the sheer amount of applications for even one role this is how it happens. It’s a railway wide issue. Can only run a limited amount of courses due to staffing, room availability, attrition etc. admittedly it’s not as easy as running a recruitment add, applications coming in, sifting, OPC, sifting, interview, vacancy filled. Many moving parts. Should a course be cancelled for many reasons, which sometimes can be a DFT influence, everything shifts. When I speak to people on various courses some have had a street to seat process where others have been in a talent pool for years with a phone call out of the blue. I experienced this myself 16 years ago.
I would say though I know not everyone here has completed everything with OPC thus far as I know additional tests were added and people invited back. I get enough direct messages on a daily basis to tell me this.
Patience is required here as I keep advising. I understand the point of view though and I do sympathise.
Ridetherails
Member
Totally agree.
I get the process as work at another TOC. Just would be nice for who has finished everything to have that simple acknowledgment of me have your referral we will be in touch in due course, lol ( well I can hope at least
).
End of the day personally I’ve passed everything OPC related and that’s an achievement in itself, so I’ll plod on until I hear anything.
I believe the next course are Sept / Nov so hopefully hear something come the end of the summer if lucky
I get the process as work at another TOC. Just would be nice for who has finished everything to have that simple acknowledgment of me have your referral we will be in touch in due course, lol ( well I can hope at least
).End of the day personally I’ve passed everything OPC related and that’s an achievement in itself, so I’ll plod on until I hear anything.
I believe the next course are Sept / Nov so hopefully hear something come the end of the summer if lucky
HeelBurton
Member
OPC makes you a flight risk as you can go anywhere with it I guess! If the companies themselves do not act they lose candidates . Nature of the beast: glad working within the industry you kind of understand thoughTotally agree.
I get the process as work at another TOC. Just would be nice for who has finished everything to have that simple acknowledgment of me have your referral we will be in touch in due course, lol ( well I can hope at least
End of the day personally I’ve passed everything OPC related and that’s an achievement in itself, so I’ll plod on until I hear anything.
I believe the next course are Sept / Nov so hopefully hear something come the end of the summer if lucky
topfisher
Member
"as I know additional tests were added and people invited back"
When has this happened? I have completed everything that's OPC related...I hope I'm not invited back for further tests...