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

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SCDR_WMR

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I've just had a response saying due to an error in the questionnaire I need to resubmit. Anyone who didn't put in NI number that hasn't had a new questionnaire sent, drop HR an email to get a new one just in case
 

mattymat

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They say classroom training is 5 months. And after that how much is practical training and what’s the full length of the course they didn’t say.
 
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They resent an email admitting there’s an error and to re do the test with the third field a* corrected to “National Insurance Number”

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They will definitely be checking using the NI number so I wouldn’t worry. I guess the questions give them a feel.



I think you will be ok, if your main commute is via a car and under 45
Mins you will be ok!

I was slightly annoyed there was no 35 mins and under option, I’m a 28 minute commute and had to put the 45 min option which makes me seem right on the edge.
Nice one thanks
 
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It is literally a quick multiple choice thing regarding whether you've sat tests before, whether you have safety crit experience and your location. Shouldn't take anyone more than 10 minutes unless you're working out exact timings for the relevant questions, even then, call it 20!

Regarding the other queries on here, only tests done at an OPC centre (or TOC centre) count towards lives, anything sat at home does not.

You can apply for other roles within 6monhs of sitting OPC tests, but cannot sit any other tests within the 6 month period. This is so you are not able to remember the tests exactly as they were (though I would add they were very familiar even 2 years late for me). So if you sat a CBI within the last 6 months and Chiltern use MMI or vice versa you may not proceed at the point. Depending on how long the Chiltern process is of course
Took about 7 mins to complete. ;)
 
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Reckon it took about 3 mins on the 2nd form. Fingers crossed we hear back within the next few weeks
You did two forms? Was that because of a mistake on the first one or did you receive two different forms to complete? I applied to three depots and received three forms but only completed one.
 

Brum_AVFC

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One thing I realised after filling it out, I’m sure it’s no biggie, it asked what my closest national rail station was, I put my local
One down and realised afterwards it meant a station that goes all over the country, it’s only a 5 minute walk from my depot station to the national one anyway and I can commute within 20 minutes to my depot.
 
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One thing I realised after filling it out, I’m sure it’s no biggie, it asked what my closest national rail station was, I put my local
One down and realised afterwards it meant a station that goes all over the country, it’s only a 5 minute walk from my depot station to the national one anyway and I can commute within 20 minutes to my depot.
What’s the time restriction? 45 mins or an hour? I’ve applied for two, Marylebone and Aylesbury. Marylebone is under 45m and Aylesbury is under 1hr. I was under the assumption that the safety guidelines stipulated a max of 1hr.
 

SCDR_WMR

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You did two forms? Was that because of a mistake on the first one or did you receive two different forms to complete? I applied to three depots and received three forms but only completed one.
Yeah the first one had an error in it as it didn't have a question for number 3, just "a"
 

Raptor42

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Did anyone else get invited for the second stage sift yet? It's kinda weird - I got the rejection email yesterday, only for them to send me a link to the next stage today. Just a very short SJT and MMI.
No idea if I'm still in or not :lol:
 

Brum_AVFC

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Did anyone else get invited for the second stage sift yet? It's kinda weird - I got the rejection email yesterday, only for them to send me a link to the next stage today. Just a very short SJT and MMI.
No idea if I'm still in or not :lol:
Wow talk about playing with your emotions lol, this your first time applying? SJT and MMI are usually after completing paper/computer tests at the OPC
 

SCDR_WMR

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Did anyone else get invited for the second stage sift yet? It's kinda weird - I got the rejection email yesterday, only for them to send me a link to the next stage today. Just a very short SJT and MMI.
No idea if I'm still in or not :lol:
Definitely not the MMI you've been sent!
 

Aviator88

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Did anyone else get invited for the second stage sift yet? It's kinda weird - I got the rejection email yesterday, only for them to send me a link to the next stage today. Just a very short SJT and MMI.
No idea if I'm still in or not :lol:

I experienced the same thing, so you're not alone! Did you apply for two locations and not fill out the initial sift form for one of them, perchance? That's my best working theory.
 

12LDA28C

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What’s the time restriction? 45 mins or an hour? I’ve applied for two, Marylebone and Aylesbury. Marylebone is under 45m and Aylesbury is under 1hr. I was under the assumption that the safety guidelines stipulated a max of 1hr.

It clearly stated on the original job advert that applicants must live within a 45 minute commute from their chosen depot.

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They say classroom training is 5 months. And after that how much is practical training and what’s the full length of the course they didn’t say.

Full length of training can be anything from 12 to 18 months depending on availability of instructors / assessors / worldwide pandemics etc. All trainees have to complete 275 hours of driving under instruction before becoming eligible for final assessments.

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Hey hope all is well do you know if there Will there be more tests to do at home after completing the questionnaire? Or would be be asked to go to the office to do OPC tests there after?

Most likely a more in-depth questionnaire to complete and if you pass that then the next stage of the process would be an online VSE test to be completed at home. If you pass that then you may be invited to take the full OPC tests, normally at Watford.
 
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d44nny

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At what point in the process would you know you definitely had a job and would need to hand notice in at current employment? And how many days off would you need to complete all assessments and interviews?
 

12LDA28C

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At what point in the process would you know you definitely had a job and would need to hand notice in at current employment? And how many days off would you need to complete all assessments and interviews?

When you have passed all the tests, had a successful interview and got an offer of employment, subject to passing a railway medical.

One day to attend the OPC tests and one day (or half day) for interview. (plus a day or half day to attend the medical)
 

redpin

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When you have passed all the tests, had a successful interview and got an offer of employment, subject to passing a railway medical.

One day to attend the OPC tests and one day (or half day) for interview. (plus a day or half day to attend the medical)
An employment contract as opposed to a conditional offer.
 

12LDA28C

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An employment contract as opposed to a conditional offer.

I don't believe you'd get that until you'd passed the railway medical. You might have to hand in your notice at your current employer, based on a conditional offer depending on your notice period and the start date of the training course. It's not unheard of for someone to accept an offer and have a start date and then pull out.
 
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When you have passed all the tests, had a successful interview and got an offer of employment, subject to passing a railway medical.

One day to attend the OPC tests and one day (or half day) for interview. (plus a day or half day to attend the medical)
I visited OPC twice for two sets of tests. The first was the initial SJE, Group Bourdon, etc and the second were the visual exercises, Grey Box, etc with the MMI as the final stage. I passed them all but at the time couldn't sit the DMI but if you're in a situation like me you'll be able to carry those pass marks forward to this application assuming they meet the criteria and are within the time frame.

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Yeah. I’ve been in a few interviews and that one was quite ruthless. You can only be tripped up if you’re not honest. Top tip be as genuine as possible.

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I had the intense one at Watford too
Yeah. I’ve been in a few interviews and that one was quite ruthless. You can only be tripped up if you’re not honest. Top tip be as genuine as possible.

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I had the intense one at Watford too
I didn't find them intense. They are extremely professional and know what they're looking for. This is actually a good thing. For example, if your answer isn't quite clear enough but you're just having trouble articulating the response rather than not having a suitable answer, they'll keep digging and probing to try and get the response you're trying to get across. If that makes sense. They're not there to trip you up, it's to accurately assess your capabilities and suitability for the job.
 
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