Chiltern Railways - Apprentice Train Drivers - Multiple Locations (26/01/23)

[SuperS16v]

Anyone heard back from the Moor street depot after completing the second further questions?

Nothing yet, thought we would have heard something by now

 

[X-City-WM]

Nope, nada.

 

[Brum_AVFC]

Anyone heard back from the Moor street depot after completing the second further questions?

Not yet, when I applied before for a different TOC (2 years ago) I did this very second questionnaire in July and didn’t hear nothing till the November of the same year and that was for the assessment day

 

[clarets2005]

Thank you very much for the advice and help. Sounds like it'll be a very long day if I do get to do all of it in one go but suppose it's all done and dusted then.

More than welcome. Pros and cons to both the 1 and 2-day Stage 1 and 2, but I'd prefer to get through it all in one go too. Feel free to drop me a message if you need.

 

[atruetennisfan]

Anyone received any follow up from Marylebone yet? Apart from the initial 'more about you' questionnaire I'm still waiting... It would be good to know if anyone else has heard anything. I know rejections or follow up assessments have been sent for some of the other locations but it seems a little bit quiet for Marylebone. Thanks all.

 

[SuperS16v]

Think it’s a bit quiet across all the depots from Chiltern recently.

 

[12LDA28C]

Think it’s a bit quiet across all the depots from Chiltern recently.

The people dealing with recruitment are all very busy with myriad other things and the process is quite long and drawn out. Those who have completed the second questionnaire should hear something soon.

 

[atruetennisfan]

The people dealing with recruitment are all very busy with myriad other things and the process is quite long and drawn out. Those who have completed the second questionnaire should hear something soon.

Thank you.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Mar 2023 ==

Think it’s a bit quiet across all the depots from Chiltern recently.

Appreciate the feedback. I don't mind waiting, I just wanted to check whether they had gone out or not. I know not all applicants will receive a response quickly or maybe not at all so wanted to ask. Thanks.

 

[SuperS16v]

The people dealing with recruitment are all very busy with myriad other things and the process is quite long and drawn out. Those who have completed the second questionnaire should hear something soon.

Thank you, appreciate the update. I know what it’s like across the industry so I’m very patient.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Mar 2023 ==

Just received my VSE pass with Avanti. I assume this will be eligible with Chiltern

 

[clarets2005]

Thank you, appreciate the update. I know what it’s like across the industry so I’m very patient.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Mar 2023 ==

Just received my VSE pass with Avanti. I assume this will be eligible with Chiltern

Interestingly, it won't be. You'll be required to resit the VSE, but as it's not an in-person assessment, a failure won't count towards your 'two goes'. Not that you'd fail if you passed with Avanti.

 

[SuperS16v]

Interestingly, it won't be. You'll be required to resit the VSE, but as it's not an in-person assessment, a failure won't count towards your 'two goes'. Not that you'd fail if you passed with Avanti.

Seriously? I sat it last week with the OPC.

So if I got invited to the VSE and M7 questionnaire now, Chiltern would expect me to resit it?

There’s always a chance to fail if I had a bad day.

 

[clarets2005]

Chiltern only do the VSE as an additional assessment, as far as I'm aware, so you wouldn't need to worry about the M7, but, despite being exactly the same (albeit with different requirements for passing), you would have to do the VSE again. Strange but, it is what it is.
As I say though, doesn't count towards your attempts and passing it again will just be a formality.

 

[12LDA28C]

Thank you, appreciate the update. I know what it’s like across the industry so I’m very patient.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Mar 2023 ==

Just received my VSE pass with Avanti. I assume this will be eligible with Chiltern

Your Avanti VSE pass will be valid for Chiltern.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Mar 2023 ==

Chiltern only do the VSE as an additional assessment, as far as I'm aware, so you wouldn't need to worry about the M7, but, despite being exactly the same (albeit with different requirements for passing), you would have to do the VSE again. Strange but, it is what it is.
As I say though, doesn't count towards your attempts and passing it again will just be a formality.

The VSE test would not have to be undertaken again, but if it was, and it was failed, that would count as a 'life lost' for Chiltern and any other operator that uses the VSE in its selection process.

 

[clarets2005]

Your Avanti VSE pass will be valid for Chiltern.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Mar 2023 ==



The VSE test would not have to be undertaken again, but if it was, and it was failed, that would count as a 'life lost' for Chiltern and any other operator that uses the VSE in its selection process.

That's very interesting. I sat and passed the VSE for Avanti in the middle of last year, and then was only required to sit the VSE for Chiltern during an application afterwards. I did question that with the OPC who told me to speak to Chiltern who said I'd have to do it again, which I was happy to.
I withdrew from Avanti as they use the CBI interview format and definitely couldn't afford to overwrite anything. I was told failing the VSE would not lose me a life as it wasn't an in-person assessment. Perhaps a case of different people being told different things or made to do things they don't necessarily need to do.

 

[12LDA28C]

That's very interesting. I sat and passed the VSE for Avanti in the middle of last year, and then was only required to sit the VSE for Chiltern during an application afterwards. I did question that with the OPC who told me to speak to Chiltern who said I'd have to do it again, which I was happy to.
I withdrew from Avanti as they use the CBI interview format and definitely couldn't afford to overwrite anything. I was told failing the VSE would not lose me a life as it wasn't an in-person assessment. Perhaps a case of different people being told different things or made to do things they don't necessarily need to do.

The online VSE test is only valid for six months, after which time it would need to be taken again. Maybe that is where the confusion is arising. Certainly people who have failed the online VSE during this round of recruitment for Chiltern have lost a life as far as the process is concerned.

 

[SuperS16v]

Your Avanti VSE pass will be valid for Chiltern.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Mar 2023 ==



The VSE test would not have to be undertaken again, but if it was, and it was failed, that would count as a 'life lost' for Chiltern and any other operator that uses the VSE in its selection process.

That’s good news, thanks for clarifying, really appreciate it.

Did you say that Chiltern now only do the assessments to national standard?

 

[clarets2005]

The online VSE test is only valid for six months, after which time it would need to be taken again. Maybe that is where the confusion is arising. Certainly people who have failed the online VSE during this round of recruitment for Chiltern have lost a life as far as the process is concerned.

Ah that'll be it then I guess! every day's a school day when it comes to these things!

 

[12LDA28C]

That’s good news, thanks for clarifying, really appreciate it.

Did you say that Chiltern now only do the assessments to national standard?

National standard plus the VSE. (which you might class as enhanced, but does not mean a required higher pass mark or any further additional tests above the national standard, if you see what I mean).

 

[SuperS16v]

National standard plus the VSE. (which you might class as enhanced, but does not mean a required higher pass mark or any further additional tests above the national standard, if you see what I mean).

Thank you, really appreciate the insight. That’s great news, so I could go straight through to the DMI then?

Avanti have withdrawn my application because I recently passed the MMI and they use CBI.

 

[atruetennisfan]

Thank you, really appreciate the insight. That’s great news, so I could go straight through to the DMI then?

Avanti have withdrawn my application because I recently passed the MMI and they use CBI.

 

[12LDA28C]

so I could go straight through to the DMI then?

If you have passed all the required OPC tests required by Chiltern, including the VSE that would seem to be a reasonable assumption, as long as you live within the required distance from your chosen depot.

 

[atruetennisfan]

If you have passed all the required OPC tests required by Chiltern, including the VSE that would seem to be a reasonable assumption, as long as you live within the required distance from your chosen depot.

Would I be correct is saying that a VSE pass would only be valid if it was done within the last 6 months?

 

[12LDA28C]

Would I be correct is saying that a VSE pass would only be valid if it was done within the last 6 months?

If you care to scroll up, that's exactly what I wrote in post #435.

 

[atruetennisfan]

If you care to scroll up, that's exactly what I wrote in post #435.

And there it is! Thank you.

 

[Kauntrilla]

Anyone knows does GWR use VSE?

 

[Lilla]

Anyone knows does GWR use VSE?

Nope, they don’t

 

[SuperS16v]

If you have passed all the required OPC tests required by Chiltern, including the VSE that would seem to be a reasonable assumption, as long as you live within the required distance from your chosen depot.

Brilliant, thank you. Yep, I’m just around the corner from Moor Street

 

[bogan]

Anyone received any follow up from Marylebone yet? Apart from the initial 'more about you' questionnaire I'm still waiting... It would be good to know if anyone else has heard anything. I know rejections or follow up assessments have been sent for some of the other locations but it seems a little bit quiet for Marylebone. Thanks all.

Another Marylebone applicant here - just received a second 'more about you' email yesterday arvo.

Am assuming it is an SJT type questionnaire that others have mentioned. Will get onto it later today.

 

[atruetennisfan]

Another Marylebone applicant here - just received a second 'more about you' email yesterday arvo.

Am assuming it is an SJT type questionnaire that others have mentioned. Will get onto it later today.

I didn't realise there were two 'more about you' questionnaires. I've completed the first one however haven't received a follow up yet so I'm still staying positive. My Aylesbury application was turned down which was probably due to the distance (I think it was marginally outside of the 45 mins) but hopefully still being considered for Marylebone.

As a side note, does anyone know that if I've been turned down for one depot, am I correct in assuming that I'm still being considered for the other depots I've applied for? The DB portal shows one closed application but the other is still very much showing as 'in process'. Any pointers would be helpful.

 

[TLF11]

Hi, Can anyone provide insight of what a whole day looks like at the OPC for stage 2 assessments? Is it computer tests (Grey Square, Photo Memory & 2 handed coordination) then if passed its an SJT & pre interview questions and then MMI? Missing anything? Thanks!