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

[TTD31]

I haven’t done it in the last 6 months to be honest. I’ve never applied to Chiltern before but i’ve just completed my VSE. I hope they’re lenient with the pass mark requirement because I did get a small amount incorrect.

How did you find the VSE? Was it similar to the practice question example they gave?

 

[atruetennisfan]

I haven’t done it in the last 6 months to be honest. I’ve never applied to Chiltern before but i’ve just completed my VSE. I hope they’re lenient with the pass mark requirement because I did get a small amount incorrect.

I’ve done the VSE before and it went pretty smoothly. There is a margin of error with these tests as they can be quite daunting esp if it’s the first time. Hope it goes well mate.

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How did you find the VSE? Was it similar to the practice question example they gave?

I found the VSE pretty easy the first time but the thing is I don’t know how well I actually did. They don’t give you a mark unfortunately, just a pass or fail. I’ll take the pass though even if I just scraped through.

 

[Unknockable]

The practice material was completely different to the actual test. I found the VSE pretty simple I feel I done well
(I hope) I can see how the duration of it could cause people to make errors. I wasn’t flawless but I didn’t make an worrying amount of mistakes.

 

[12LDA28C]

Recieved my VSE test to do for Aylesbury. Didn’t get a 2nd questionnaire though like others did

Only applicants who have previously passed some or all OPC tests (at any TOC/FOC) would have been invited to take the VSE test, so I assume you're in that category.

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Interesting. But you may have already done it in the last 6 months. I have done also but it’s difficult to know the exact process sometimes given that everyone will have different passes to tests.

I don't think you can retake any of the tests including VSE within a 6-month period if you have previously failed them.

 

[Unknockable]

Only applicants who have previously passed some or all OPC tests (at any TOC/FOC) would have been invited to take the VSE test, so I assume you're in that category.

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I don't think you can retake any of the tests including VSE within a 6-month period if you have previously failed them.

Right that would made sense because I did get to the first assessment stage for a different TOC just over 4 years ago.

 

[SuperS16v]

Only applicants who have previously passed some or all OPC tests (at any TOC/FOC) would have been invited to take the VSE test, so I assume you're in that category.

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I don't think you can retake any of the tests including VSE within a 6-month period if you have previously failed them.

I’ve passed assessments with another TOC almost 2 months ago and I haven’t been invited for the VSE

 

[Brum_AVFC]

Only applicants who have previously passed some or all OPC tests (at any TOC/FOC) would have been invited to take the VSE test, so I assume you're in that category.

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I don't think you can retake any of the tests including VSE within a 6-month period if you have previously failed them.

I passed all tests except the 2 hand test at enhanced levels 2 years ago and I didn’t get a VSE

 

[12LDA28C]

I’ve passed assessments with another TOC almost 2 months ago and I haven’t been invited for the VSE

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I passed all tests except the 2 hand test at enhanced levels 2 years ago and I didn’t get a VSE

How far have you got with your current application?

 

[Brum_AVFC]

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How far have you got with your current application?

Sent off the second questionnaire Sunday so just waiting now

 

[PK96]

I’ve passed assessments with another TOC almost 2 months ago and I haven’t been invited for the VSE

Literally me. I was actually declined but I've passed all my Physcometic exams.

 

[12LDA28C]

Literally me. I was actually declined but I've passed all my Physcometic exams.

Which suggests there must have been some problem with the answers given in your initial questionnaire

 

[Kauntrilla]

Anyone knows. What standard Chiltern use for psychometric tests? Standard or enhancement?

 

[7819Hinton]

Anyone knows. What standard Chiltern use for psychometric tests? Standard or enhancement?

Enhanced

 

[12LDA28C]

Anyone knows. What standard Chiltern use for psychometric tests? Standard or enhancement?

Enhanced

Chiltern dropped down from Enhanced to National standard a couple of years ago.

However, bear in mind there is no universal 'Enhanced' standard, with each individual TOC / FOC applying their own pass mark or additional tests above the 'National' standard according to which specific skills or attributes they are looking for during their train driver recruitment process.

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[TD2018]

Is this true? It says "enhanced" on the OPC website

 

[MatthewLdn]

Just received a rejection email. A little surprised considering I already work in a safety critical role on the railway, have passed the psychometrics to enhanced level and thought I had a pretty strong application. Oh well, guess it wasn’t to be. Good luck to everyone still in the process.

 

[Aviator88]

Just received a rejection email. A little surprised considering I already work in a safety critical role on the railway, have passed the psychometrics to enhanced level and thought I had a pretty strong application. Oh well, guess it wasn’t to be. Good luck to everyone still in the process.

Didn't I see you on the Avanti thread? If so, and you have a recent CBI pass on record, you'll be ineligible to sit an MMI for 6 months from the date of your CBI, regardless of the result. This is a possible reason your application wasn't progressed...

 

[MatthewLdn]

Didn't I see you on the Avanti thread? If so, and you have a recent CBI pass on record, you'll be ineligible to sit an MMI for 6 months from the date of your CBI, regardless of the result. This is a possible reason your application wasn't progressed...

Yeah that’s right. It could be the case, although another toc I also applied for has allowed me to continue with my application even though they require an MMI, so it may be company specific.

 

[Aviator88]

Yeah that’s right. It could be the case, although another toc I also applied for has allowed me to continue with my application even though they require an MMI, so it may be company specific.

Doh, just gone through my messages and it was actually your post that drew my attention to the issue in the first place! Yeah, perhaps... My name's also in the hat here (and, like yourself, I've also been through the Avanti process recently), so I'll be sure to update as soon as I hear something.

 

[MatthewLdn]

Doh, just gone through my messages and it was actually your post that drew my attention to the issue in the first place! Yeah, perhaps... My name's also in the hat here (and, like yourself, I've also been through the Avanti process recently), so I'll be sure to update as soon as I hear something.

Are you in the Talent Bank for Avanti or are you still waiting for a DMI?

 

[jumboj]

Just received a rejection email. A little surprised considering I already work in a safety critical role on the railway, have passed the psychometrics to enhanced level and thought I had a pretty strong application. Oh well, guess it wasn’t to be. Good luck to everyone still in the process.

I sent cv and cover letter back on Jan 26...not heard anything since from chiltern ...but I just completed my tests for avanti this morning...so see what happens

 

[12LDA28C]

Is this true? It says "enhanced" on the OPC website

On the document that's dated 01/09/2020...

 

[Aviator88]

Are you in the Talent Bank for Avanti or are you still waiting for a DMI?

The latter!

 

[12LDA28C]

Didn't I see you on the Avanti thread? If so, and you have a recent CBI pass on record, you'll be ineligible to sit an MMI for 6 months from the date of your CBI, regardless of the result. This is a possible reason your application wasn't progressed...

Exactly this.

 

[Kauntrilla]

Chiltern dropped down from Enhanced to National standard a couple of years ago.

However, bear in mind there is no universal 'Enhanced' standard, with each individual TOC / FOC applying their own pass mark or additional tests above the 'National' standard according to which specific skills or attributes they are looking for during their train driver recruitment process.

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That is gd news mate

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How much is training salary for the trainee drivers with Chiltern?

 

[12LDA28C]

That is gd news mate

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How much is training salary for the trainee drivers with Chiltern?

I believe it's around £27,500 initially, rising to £30k after around 3 months, until passing out as a qualified driver.

 

[Kauntrilla]

I believe it's around £27,500 initially, rising to £30k after around 3 months, until passing out as a qualified driver.

Thank you mate

 

[atruetennisfan]

Thank you mate

Anyone received a follow up questionnaire for Marylebone?

I’ve received another initial questionnaire from Chiltern (name, address, etc) even though over filled one in a few weeks ago. This one was for Banbury even though I’ve already mentioned this on my initial application. A bit strange!

 

[12LDA28C]

Anyone received a follow up questionnaire for Marylebone?

I’ve received another initial questionnaire from Chiltern (name, address, etc) even though over filled one in a few weeks ago. This one was for Banbury even though I’ve already mentioned this on my initial application. A bit strange!

I assume you have applied for multiple locations?

Each depot is dealing with their own recruitment so it is to be expected that each of your applications would be dealt with separately. If for example you were deemed to be outside the catchment area for one location you would be rejected for that location, but that would not mean you were discounted for another location that you were closer to.

 

[atruetennisfan]

I assume you have applied for multiple locations?

Each depot is dealing with their own recruitment so it is to be expected that each of your applications would be dealt with separately. If for example you were deemed to be outside the catchment area for one location you would be rejected for that location, but that would not mean you were discounted for another location that you were closer to.

Got it. However they did ask in the form if I had applied to other locations and also which ones. They also advise on the email to only submit the form once. A little confused… I might just fill it in anyway and see how it goes. Thanks for the feedback.

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Has anyone received an invite for any assessments for Marylebone yet? Still waiting...