vc99
Member
Did you sit it?
-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
Chiltern - Apprentice Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion
- Thread starter NSEWonderer
- Start date
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
Has anyone else who did a DMI for the Bletchley role in Bicester North a few weeks ago been able to get feedback? My email just said “If you would like to receive feedback from your application, please contact us on <Insert email>”. I’ve emailed recruitment a while ago for an email address but haven’t gotten a reply yet.
It’s my first time interviewing so I’m unsure on how long this process takes.
It’s my first time interviewing so I’m unsure on how long this process takes.
Drivingtales
Member
Ive passed interview and been placed in talent pool so im guessing there is a wait, especially due to the ongoing issues on the new line
Ohhh I see. Thank you Mate for your response. Hopefully the issue gets resolved as early as possible.
HeelBurton
Member
Last edited:
I got an email from Chiltern the other day saying there's no DMI interviews coming up but should hear something in the next couple of months. If this year's courses are full when would you think the next courses will be?
HeelBurton
Member
I am unwilling to say when the next courses are as I’ve been quoted on this forum when business plans change and had my knuckles wrapped.
I will certainly say however the remainder of this years courses are full which is why everyone has received similar if not the same email as you.
Drivingtales
Member
Thats good to hear not affecting driver training
HeelBurton
Member
Indeed. The original Bletchley drivers began training in spring 2024. All have passed fully qualified. The additional vacancies now are business requirements and I suspect the talent pool will be plucked at various points throughout next year hence the emails sent out. We’ve continuously trained drivers despite the line not being open for passenger service.
WhittyApe
New Member
Hi, First time posting here, I applied to Chiltern during the May 2026 recruitment drive for the Bletchley depot, I haven't heard anything back. My status on the portal (current stage) still shows blank. I passed the OPC assessments for another TOC and the DMI, but Bletchley is my preference only 10 min drive for me as opposed to 50min for the other TOC. I emailed Chiltern recruitment a number of weeks ago but heard nothing back, any idea what i can do, if anything ?
HeelBurton
Member
Nothing can be done as the courses are now full for 2026.
not much you can do but play the waiting game with this one sadly. Frustrating I know. But you are in a unique position where you have OPC already and can go anywhere. You’ll need to weigh up whether it’s worth waiting for one depot for an unknown period, or pursue other avenues to become a driver. The recruitment inbox does get flooded as you can imagine, they are not just looking after driver applications, it’s company wide.
If anything moves forward you’ll be in the talent pool like everyone else, you will however have to take the Chiltern VSE in any case, as this is a Chiltern requirement regardless of any OPC you have already passed, and even if you have already completed VSE elsewhere.
It’s a six of one half a dozen of the other situation. Waiting for one location, or climbing the ladder elsewhere to achieve the goal.
Sorry this isn’t much help.
dan1w
Member
Same here
Same for me. Status blank and no response from the recruitment email address.
WhittyApe
New Member
Thank you so much for your reply, and the heads up, I think I will pursue which ever TOC moves first with training, Even with current TOC they are talking mid 2027 for a place on training.