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

[JJ4]

Just thought I’d update on my process so far, as I understand how frustrating it is waiting around for any sort of response. I applied for both Banbury and Moor Street, I haven’t heard anything for Moor Street but was told I’d been progressed for Banbury last week. I completed the VSE test Monday and was informed today I had passed and have now booked a DMI slot in the next couple of weeks.

 

[SuperS16v]

Just thought I’d update on my process so far, as I understand how frustrating it is waiting around for any sort of response. I applied for both Banbury and Moor Street, I haven’t heard anything for Moor Street but was told I’d been progressed for Banbury last week. I completed the VSE test Monday and was informed today I had passed and have now booked a DMI slot in the next couple of weeks.

It’s moving quite quickly for you then.

Moor street sent a questionnaire to fill out on the 10th and we won’t hear anything now off then until at least the 28th Feb.

Does the VSE count towards the two strikes?

Strange you’re doing DMI before the assessment centre, unless you already passed this with another TOC.

 

[JJ4]

It’s moving quite quickly for you then.

Moor street sent a questionnaire to fill out on the 10th and we won’t hear anything now off then until at least the 28th Feb.

Does the VSE count towards the two strikes?

Strange you’re doing DMI before the assessment centre, unless you already passed this with another TOC.

I asked the OPC about it counting towards the two strikes. They said that it only counted against the two for companies that use the VSE as part of their process. If you failed the VSE for Chiltern and Avanti, for example, you wouldn’t be able to apply again to any that use that particular test. You would still be able to apply for WMT etc. though.
From what I understand, Chiltern/XC carry out the DMI first so that only people they deem suitable for the role carry out the psychometrics and I assume save money by doing so. I have passed at enhanced standard, but whether or not Chiltern have a higher threshold than WMT remains to be seen. Would preferably like to avoid the mental side of geeing myself up for the psychometrics again though, if at all possible.

 

[Aviator88]

Just thought I’d update on my process so far, as I understand how frustrating it is waiting around for any sort of response. I applied for both Banbury and Moor Street, I haven’t heard anything for Moor Street but was told I’d been progressed for Banbury last week. I completed the VSE test Monday and was informed today I had passed and have now booked a DMI slot in the next couple of weeks.

Thanks for the update - that's great news for you! I was sent the 2nd sift questionnaire recently (Banbury), although my complement of psychometric passes includes the CBI, not MMI, and the 6 month timer only started last month. Because of this, I anticipate that my application will be binned or (preferably) put on the back-burner until I'm eligible to sit the MMI!

 

[JJ4]

Thanks for the update - that's great news for you! I was sent the 2nd sift questionnaire recently (Banbury), although my complement of psychometric passes includes the CBI, not MMI, and the 6 month timer only started last month. Because of this, I anticipate that my application will be binned or (preferably) put on the back-burner until I'm eligible to sit the MMI!

Fingers crossed for you! The application process to become a trainee across all TOCs is unlike anything I’ve come across, it’s mad.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

I asked the OPC about it counting towards the two strikes. They said that it only counted against the two for companies that use the VSE as part of their process. If you failed the VSE for Chiltern and Avanti, for example, you wouldn’t be able to apply again to any that use that particular test. You would still be able to apply for WMT etc. though.
From what I understand, Chiltern/XC carry out the DMI first so that only people they deem suitable for the role carry out the psychometrics and I assume save money by doing so. I have passed at enhanced standard, but whether or not Chiltern have a higher threshold than WMT remains to be seen. Would preferably like to avoid the mental side of geeing myself up for the psychometrics again though, if at all possible.

The OPC really need to get their answer consistent regarding this as when I asked the question they said it wasn't part of the 2 lives as it's not completed in a test environment

 

[ratbag]

Just thought I’d update on my process so far, as I understand how frustrating it is waiting around for any sort of response. I applied for both Banbury and Moor Street, I haven’t heard anything for Moor Street but was told I’d been progressed for Banbury last week. I completed the VSE test Monday and was informed today I had passed and have now booked a DMI slot in the next couple of weeks.

Was the VSE taken at home, or at the OPC?

 

[Aviator88]

Fingers crossed for you! The application process to become a trainee across all TOCs is unlike anything I’ve come across, it’s mad.

Thanks! And oh yes, I doubt there are many people in the hot seat these days who could answer the question, "How did you become a train driver?" with "Meh, I just sort of fell into it!"

 

[JJ4]

Was the VSE taken at home, or at the OPC?

At home, the OPC send a link via email.

 

[atruetennisfan]

Thanks! And oh yes, I doubt there are many people in the hot seat these days who could answer the question, "How did you become a train driver?" with "Meh, I just sort of fell into it!"

lol. Correct. And if you’re a new applicant then you’re also up against a few thousand people who have already passed their assessments previously - and seats get filled up pretty quickly (pardon the pun).

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Feb 2023 ==

Just thought I’d update on my process so far, as I understand how frustrating it is waiting around for any sort of response. I applied for both Banbury and Moor Street, I haven’t heard anything for Moor Street but was told I’d been progressed for Banbury last week. I completed the VSE test Monday and was informed today I had passed and have now booked a DMI slot in the next couple of weeks.

Is that the first time you completed the VSE? I’ve done a few months ago and not sure if I’d need to do it again. It’s pretty easy but I don’t see the point in being asked to do it again.

 

[JJ4]

lol. Correct. And if you’re a new applicant then you’re also up against a few thousand people who have already passed their assessments previously - and seats get filled up pretty quickly (pardon the pun).

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Feb 2023 ==


Is that the first time you completed the VSE? I’ve done a few months ago and not sure if I’d need to do it again. It’s pretty easy but I don’t see the point in being asked to do it again.

First time mate, they said it's valid for 6 months.

 

[atruetennisfan]

First time mate, they said it's valid for 6 months.

Got it. Thank you.

 

[12LDA28C]

is it interviews and testing after filling in the initial form?

I don't think you can really expect to be invited to interview after telling them where you live... Up to 500 people have applied for each individual Depot, I would expect another couple of levels of sifting including an online VSE test before you may, if you're lucky, get sent to the OPC testing centre and then a Driver Manager interview would be the final stage before being offered a position, subject to passing the medical. I believe the whole process may be a little trickier and more involved than you seem to think.

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

From what I understand, Chiltern/XC carry out the DMI first so that only people they deem suitable for the role carry out the psychometrics and I assume save money by doing so. I have passed at enhanced standard, but whether or not Chiltern have a higher threshold than WMT remains to be seen. Would preferably like to avoid the mental side of geeing myself up for the psychometrics again though, if at all possible.

This is not the case. Clearly you have previously passed the OPC testing, applicants who haven't already got that 'in the bag' would need to attend OPC before being invited for interview (if successful at OPC).

 

[JJ4]

This is not the case. Clearly you have previously passed the OPC testing, applicants who haven't already got that 'in the bag' would need to attend OPC before being invited for interview (if successful at OPC).

Apologies, just repeating what I saw in the XC thread. Assumed it was similar for all under the Arriva umbrella but guess not. Good luck to those who do the psychometrics then

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

Trainee/Apprentice Drivers - Various Locations - Chiltern (19/07/22)

I imagine the September date will be pulled out of a pool potentially. Unless it's a typo in the advert...

www.railforums.co.uk

Your man on here said he did the DMI first but not sure if they’ve switched back.

 

[atruetennisfan]

I don't think you can really expect to be invited to interview after telling them where you live... Up to 500 people have applied for each individual Depot, I would expect another couple of levels of sifting including an online VSE test before you may, if you're lucky, get sent to the OPC testing centre and then a Driver Manager interview would be the final stage before being offered a position, subject to passing the medical. I believe the whole process may be a little trickier and more involved than you seem to think.

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



This is not the case. Clearly you have previously passed the OPC testing, applicants who haven't already got that 'in the bag' would need to attend OPC before being invited for interview (if successful at OPC).

That’s correct. XCountry do the RAAT test first, then the OPC centre tests, then the DMI.

 

[SJN]

That’s correct. XCountry do the RAAT test first, then the OPC centre tests, then the DMI.

When I did the process with XC it was RAAT, then DMI, then OPC.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

When I did the process with XC it was RAAT, then DMI, then OPC.

As did many people I know who now work for them

 

[SJN]

As did many people I know who now work for them

Yes. I was successful and I know people who’ve got through recently and the process doesn’t seem to have changed.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Yes. I was successful and I know people who’ve got through recently and the process doesn’t seem to have changed.

And yet some on here think otherwise.....

 

[atruetennisfan]

When I did the process with XC it was RAAT, then DMI, then OPC.

Maybe it's different now. Either way, they all have to be done no matter what order. Although I can understand why the DMI would come after the RAAT. The cost saving at OPC must be huge.

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

Anyone have any updates or follow up emails from Chiltern?

 

[SuperS16v]

Maybe it's different now. Either way, they all have to be done no matter what order. Although I can understand why the DMI would come after the RAAT. The cost saving at OPC must be huge.

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

Anyone have any updates or follow up emails from Chiltern?

Nothing yet, but they did say they will start looking at questionnaires from the 28th Feb and would only hear back if successful

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

 

[atruetennisfan]

Nothing yet, but they did say they will start looking at questionnaires from the 28th Feb and would only hear back if successful

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

Thank you. It was mostly just to understand whether or not responses had started going out.

 

[SuperS16v]

Thank you. It was mostly just to understand whether or not responses had started going out.

I’m sure once they do it will start appearing in here. I reckon a couple of weeks.

 

[12LDA28C]

I’m sure once they do it will start appearing in here. I reckon a couple of weeks.

It should be a little sooner than that but will vary between depots.

 

[Unknockable]

Applied to Aylesbury and Banbury. Been rejected for Banbury but Aylesbury is still in process when I log in.

Banbury says end of process.

 

[vadim10226@hot]

Same for me. Received an email as unsuccessful .

 

[PK96]

Same for me. Received an email as unsuccessful .

Keep your head up! I was declined many times so just keep on going.

I'm still waiting to hear back

 

[EchoMike]

Rejected for Birmingham, good luck to all still in the running.

 

[SuperS16v]

Just received another questionnaire for Birmingham?? Can’t tell if it’s a mistake or something different.

Does anyone have their email or phone as I think they have sent me exactly the same thing.



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

Rejected for Birmingham, good luck to all still in the running.

Sorry to hear this, keep applying!

 

[adamheath]

Just received a questionnaire for Birmingham too, haven't opened the link yet to see if it is actually something different!