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

[SCDR_WMR]

I noticed the assessments are enhanced. I believe I have passed to standard. Will I need to resit the assessment centre or will they look at my scores and decide?

It will depend on what your scores were. Each TOC's 'enhanced' score is different so you may be at the required scores for Chiltern even if not for another TOC. I had similar with Avanti - passed enhanced for WMR but 1 didn't meet Avanti's enhanced score

 

[SuperS16v]

It will depend on what your scores were. Each TOC's 'enhanced' score is different so you may be at the required scores for Chiltern even if not for another TOC. I had similar with Avanti - passed enhanced for WMR but 1 didn't meet Avanti's enhanced score

Ah brilliant thanks. If I’m under the required score will they ask me to resit all assessments or will I be offered just to resit the tests I scored under in?

 

[12LDA28C]

Does anybody know which tests are included in Chiltern's stage 1 assessments? Is it just GB, TE-OCC & TRP 1 & 2 or is DFFT included?
This question was asked in previous Chiltern recruitment threads but was not responded to.

I believe an initial online VSE test will be used in the first instance and only people that pass the VSE test will be put through for the full OPC assessment.

 

[william.martin]

Arriva? I guess that you mean Chiltern railways (by arriva.) If so here is a route map.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4d/Chiltern_Railways_network.svg/550px-Chiltern_Railways_network.svg.png

 

[Class2ldn]

Are you within 45 mins of Marylebone?

 

[TFL_Rocks]

Arriva? I guess that you mean Chiltern railways (by arriva.) If so here is a route map.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4d/Chiltern_Railways_network.svg/550px-Chiltern_Railways_network.svg.png

That’s correct! Thanks

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Are you within 45 mins of Marylebone?

I am yes..

 

[WizCastro197]

Here all that want the link for the driver role at Marylebone:

Apprentice Train Driver - Marylebone

db.jobs

There are a list of conditions, there are a lot, including arriving in Aylesbury before 9:00AM for driver training.

here is is what we need from you:

highly responsible, dependable and punctual person

positive, inclusive, can-do attitude towards work, colleagues, and our customers

live close to the London Marylebone depot (no more than 45 minutes’ commute)

to pass all industry testing, medical, and interviews

to arrive promptly before 9:00 am at Aylesbury depot for the 3-4 months course

to fully commit uninterrupted, to the duration of your course

to study and consolidate course material at home

to make the necessary lifestyle adjustments to ensure you are well rested and fit for duty each day

be over 20 and a half years of age

provide your email, and postcode on your CV

be paid to learn an essential, safety critical skill

be a part of a kind and inclusive workforce

a highly rewarding vocation

Final salary pension

£27,499 while training

£56,907 fully qualified

receive an apprenticeship qualification upon completion of your training

Free travel on Chiltern Railways, Cross Country Trains and Arriva Rail

75% off rail leisure travel for you, your partner, and dependents

 

[TFL_Rocks]

Here all that want the link for the driver role at Marylebone:

Apprentice Train Driver - Marylebone

db.jobs

There are a list of conditions, there are a lot, including arriving in Aylesbury before 9:00AM for driver training.

I meet that criteria!

 

[WizCastro197]

I meet that criteria!

Good luck going forward then.

 

[william.martin]

Good luck for the future!

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Ah brilliant thanks. If I’m under the required score will they ask me to resit all assessments or will I be offered just to resit the tests I scored under in?

You'll only resit what you haven't met their pass rate in, could be one, could be all.

 

[12LDA28C]

Hi,

There is a job posted for arriva train driver apprentice role.

Apparently the depo is in marlybone however the actual training is for 3-4 months in Aylesbury. Does anyone know where in the UK one will be driving the arriva trains? Any information on what to expect at the assessment and interview for this job? Any information would be appreciated and how long it takes to hear back from the recruitment team?

I only sent my application today so it’s still early days I just wanted to get an idea on what to expect and how long it will take!

Also since I’m living in London is it better for me to rent out a place in alysbury whilst I do the 3-4 months course as it’s quite far from London and I can imagine the traffic going there if your driving by car.

Thanks all!

Marylebone drivers sign to Aylesbury Vale Parkway, Oxford and Birmingham Snow Hill with Class 165, 168 and 68/DVT traction.

If you pass the initial sift you will have to take an online VSE test and if you pass that you are eligible to sit the full OPC test. If you get through to interview you would be asked questions about any relevant experience and transferable skills that you could bring to your role as a train driver.

Bear in mind that hundreds of people apply for every one driver job, and the OPC tests have only a 25% pass rate so the chances of success are very slim but don't let that put you off.

Aylesbury is one hour from Marylebone by train so depending on which part of London you live in it may be worthwhile renting in Aylesbury, especially if you share somewhere with other trainees on the same course if they are in the same situation.

 

[silexa]

Applied for Birmingham, good luck all

 

[TFL_Rocks]

Marylebone drivers sign to Aylesbury Vale Parkway, Oxford and Birmingham Snow Hill with Class 165, 168 and 68/DVT traction.

If you pass the initial sift you will have to take an online VSE test and if you pass that you are eligible to sit the full OPC test. If you get through to interview you would be asked questions about any relevant experience and transferable skills that you could bring to your role as a train driver.

Bear in mind that hundreds of people apply for every one driver job, and the OPC tests have only a 25% pass rate so the chances of success are very slim but don't let that put you off.

Aylesbury is one hour from Marylebone by train so depending on which part of London you live in it may be worthwhile renting in Aylesbury, especially if you share somewhere with other trainees on the same course if they are in the same situation.

That doesn’t sound easy! Is there by any chance where I can find mock OPC tests online just so I get an idea on the kind of questions the tests involves? For instance how many stages there are and what to expect? I’m guessing it’s both theoretical and practical elements involved? Also the type of questions they will ask at the interview? I really want to pass this 1st time. 3-4 months seems pretty decent for the length of training to be a train driver but im guessing even if you pass the OPC test that doesn’t guarantee that you will become a train driver as im guessing there is much more to do!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 31 Jan 2023 ==

Good luck going forward then.

Thanks!

 

[Class2ldn]

The overall training for driver is 12-18 months

 

[12LDA28C]

That doesn’t sound easy! Is there by any chance where I can find mock OPC tests online just so I get an idea on the kind of questions the tests involves? For instance how many stages there are and what to expect? I’m guessing it’s both theoretical and practical elements involved? Also the type of questions they will ask at the interview? I really want to pass this 1st time. 3-4 months seems pretty decent for the length of training to be a train driver but im guessing even if you pass the OPC test that doesn’t guarantee that you will become a train driver as im guessing there is much more to do!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 31 Jan 2023 ==


Thanks!

You will not be a qualified train driver in 3-4 months. That is just the duration of the classroom training after which you will need to learn traction and routes and complete a minimum of 275 hours driving under instruction. If you're lucky you might get qualified in around 12 months but it can often take longer.

I suggest you could try Google for mock OPC tests or visit the OPC website and I already suggested the types of questions you might get asked at interview.

 

[red14]

Marylebone job post has been removed.

 

[SuperS16v]

I imagine the others won’t be far behind now!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Feb 2023 ==

Marylebone job post has been removed.

 

[red14]

I imagine the others won’t be far behind now!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Feb 2023 ==

For sure!

I thought the Aylesbury position was closed as the link from this thread no longer works. But, I did a manual search and its still there.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Feb 2023 ==

I dont like that they dont advertise the job closing date.

 

[SuperS16v]

For sure!

I thought the Aylesbury position was closed as the link from this thread no longer works. But, I did a manual search and its still there.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Feb 2023 ==

I dont like that they dont advertise the job closing date.

Even if they do show a closing date they always close it early, most adverts tend to be up around a week before they close

 

[dereksingh291]

Birmingham Moor Street job post has been removed

 

[New York Giant]

Birmingham Moor Street job post has been removed

Moor Street link was up twice as long as what TfW's Shrewsbury trainee jobs were up last year. Probably far less positions with Chiltern too.

 

[12LDA28C]

Moor Street link was up twice as long as what TfW's Shrewsbury trainee jobs were up last year. Probably far less positions with Chiltern too.

There are more vacancies at Aylesbury and Banbury which probably explains the adverts being live for longer.

 

[Wannbedriver]

I have applied for Aylesbury. Fingers crossed!

 

[Brum_AVFC]

Anyone here having a second crack at the OPC assessments? I did them way back in December 2020 with West Mids (Abellio) and only failed the 2 hand co-ordination test, waited 2 years for another opportunity to apply! Just wondering wether we get fast tracked to the assessment’s again or have to sit the company’s VSE’s first?

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Anyone here having a second crack at the OPC assessments? I did them way back in December 2020 with West Mids (Abellio) and only failed the 2 hand co-ordination test, waited 2 years for another opportunity to apply! Just wondering wether we get fast tracked to the assessment’s again or have to sit the company’s VSE’s first?

You'll do everything up to the OPC tests, then only sit the tests you aren't to standard on.

Every other stage works as a sifting mechanism so unlikely to skip stages (my experience at other TOCs not Chiltern)

 

[Scrambled Eggs]

I passed all tests apart from the MMI. I was hoping to get fast tracked also if successful through the first sift.

Anyone here having a second crack at the OPC assessments? I did them way back in December 2020 with West Mids (Abellio) and only failed the 2 hand co-ordination test, waited 2 years for another opportunity to apply! Just wondering wether we get fast tracked to the assessment’s again or have to sit the company’s VSE’s first?

 

[Brum_AVFC]

I passed all tests apart from the MMI. I was hoping to get fast tracked also if successful through the first sift.

The MMI is actually what I fear the most, my mate who was successful said that they’re quite intense and very good at tripping you up with your answers to try and make you fluster, was it that bad?

 

[SCDR_WMR]

The MMI is actually what I fear the most, my mate who was successful said that they’re quite intense and very good at tripping you up with your answers to try and make you fluster, was it that bad?

That is what they try and do. As long as your scenarios/answers are genuine and you can go into the required detail it's fine. I've sat 2 MMIs since 2020 and passed both. 1 was intense, 1 was more relaxed

 

[Brum_AVFC]

That is what they try and do. As long as your scenarios/answers are genuine and you can go into the required detail it's fine. I've sat 2 MMIs since 2020 and passed both. 1 was intense, 1 was more relaxed

I suppose it depends on the interviewer you get on the day. Is the MMI part of the OPC process where if you fail it twice you’re done for life? Obviously I failed one test before, so if I was to pass that test and then fail the MMI would that mean I’m done?