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

[Archvile]

Yes, you would have 'lost a life' as a result of failing the VSE.

That's incorrect... It's a life lost for Chiltern (probably, every TOC's different), but only tests sat in a controlled environment count towards official lives lost.

 

[12LDA28C]

That's incorrect... It's a life lost for Chiltern (probably, every TOC's different), but only tests sat in a controlled environment count towards official lives lost.

Indeed, I was referring to Chiltern only, but if another TOC / FOC that someone applies to also uses the VSE as part of their selection process then I believe it also counts as a life lost with them also.

 

[atruetennisfan]

The 2 lives in general is the official opc tests conducted in a test environment.
However for companies that use extra tests to sift people at the start you may only have limited chances to apply for them if you fail these tests more then twice. If you fail the vse you'd probably get another chance at Chiltern but fail it again and they might not let you apply again, it won't atop you applying for other companies especially if they don't use these extra sifting tests.
The main 2 lives rule is the official tests that would bar you from all companies, so the group bourdon and other similar tests, any enhanced tests would be operator specific and even if you fail them won't necessarily stop you applying to other companies that don't use enhanced testing.

That appears to be correct. The assessments taken at the OPC centers have a lasting effect and you can only fail twice before being excluded permanently. The ‘at home’ tests still have restrictions and most TOC’s will allow you two attempts however you can apply to other TOC’s and retake the VSE if it’s part of their initial sifting process even if you have failed it a couple of times previously with other TOC’s.

Hope I explained that clearly.

 

[12LDA28C]

That appears to be correct. The assessments taken at the OPC centers have a lasting effect and you can only fail twice before being excluded permanently. The ‘at home’ tests still have restrictions and most TOC’s will allow you two attempts however you can apply to other TOC’s and retake the VSE if it’s part of their initial sifting process even if you have failed it a couple of times previously with other TOC’s.

Hope I explained that clearly.

Just to confirm, Chiltern do not invite candidates to take VSE as 'part of their initial sifting process'. Only people who have previously undertaken some or all tests at OPC have been invited to take VSE already, the vast majority of applicants are new to the process and will only be invited to take the VSE if they get through the initial two stages of sifting.

And if you have failed VSE 'a couple of times' previously with other TOCs, you would only be able to apply again to a TOC / FOC that doesn't include VSE as part of their suite of tests. Hope that helps.

 

[TD2018]

Just to confirm, Chiltern do not invite candidates to take VSE as 'part of their initial sifting process'. Only people who have previously undertaken some or all tests at OPC have been invited to take VSE already, the vast majority of applicants are new to the process and will only be invited to take the VSE if they get through the initial two stages of sifting.















And if you have failed VSE 'a couple of times' previously with other TOCs, you would only be able to apply again to a TOC / FOC that doesn't include VSE as part of their suite of tests. Hope that helps.







I have previously completed all stages apart from MMI and did not receive an VSE invite

 

[Brum_AVFC]

Just to confirm, Chiltern do not invite candidates to take VSE as 'part of their initial sifting process'. Only people who have previously undertaken some or all tests at OPC have been invited to take VSE already, the vast majority of applicants are new to the process and will only be invited to take the VSE if they get through the initial two stages of sifting.

And if you have failed VSE 'a couple of times' previously with other TOCs, you would only be able to apply again to a TOC / FOC that doesn't include VSE as part of their suite of tests. Hope that helps.

Not to say you’re incorrect but I passed all tests at enhanced level except the 2 hand test with WMT and I was sent a second questionnaire, no VSE…yet anyway.

 

[12LDA28C]

Not to say you’re incorrect but I passed all tests at enhanced level except the 2 hand test with WMT and I was sent a second questionnaire, no VSE…yet anyway.

I believe the process may be slightly different for those applying to Moor Street. As each Depot are dealing with their own recruitment process, there may be slight variations in the process depending on resources, timescales and so on. If you get through the second questionnaire then the VSE should be next, as far as I know.

 

[atruetennisfan]

Just to confirm, Chiltern do not invite candidates to take VSE as 'part of their initial sifting process'. Only people who have previously undertaken some or all tests at OPC have been invited to take VSE already, the vast majority of applicants are new to the process and will only be invited to take the VSE if they get through the initial two stages of sifting.

And if you have failed VSE 'a couple of times' previously with other TOCs, you would only be able to apply again to a TOC / FOC that doesn't include VSE as part of their suite of tests. Hope that helps.

You live and learn... . Thank you for clarifying.

 

[Kauntrilla]

Any news regarding banbury?

 

[atruetennisfan]

Not to say you’re incorrect but I passed all tests at enhanced level except the 2 hand test with WMT and I was sent a second questionnaire, no VSE…yet anyway.

I've passed all at enhanced but still not heard back for Marylebone yet after the initial questionnaire.

I passed the VSE about 6 months ago as well. From what I remember that was an interesting experience.

 

[TFL_Rocks]

Which location?

Marlybone , I believe the training will be at alysbury..

 

[atruetennisfan]

Marlybone , I believe the training will be at alysbury..

Same here. Still in the process I guess...

 

[TFL_Rocks]

Same here. Still in the process I guess...

Good luck to you!

Any idea where we can find practise papers for the VSE test?

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You live and learn... . Thank you for clarifying.

What are those 2 stages of sifting?

 

[atruetennisfan]

Good luck to you!

Any idea where we can find practise papers for the VSE test?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Mar 2023 ==


What are those 2 stages of sifting?

There are no papers as such. It's a Visual Search Exercise. Re; practicing, not sure if it's even possible to or how you would do it. Just make sure you read the instructions carefully before starting any of the tests.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Mar 2023 ==

Good luck to you!

Any idea where we can find practise papers for the VSE test?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Mar 2023 ==


What are those 2 stages of sifting?

Initially just questionnaires but it depends on the TOC. They've all got they're own processes which are slightly different but generally it's usually questionnaires.

 

[TFL_Rocks]

There are no papers as such. It's a Visual Search Exercise. Re; practicing, not sure if it's even possible to or how you would do it. Just make sure you read the instructions carefully before starting any of the tests.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Mar 2023 ==


Initially just questionnaires but it depends on the TOC. They've all got they're own processes which are slightly different but generally it's usually questionnaires.

Will these be done online or in person?

Thanks for the quick response

 

[atruetennisfan]

Will these be done online or in person?

Thanks for the quick response

Online. Don’t stress. Get a good nights sleep before taking any of the tests and that’ll give you the best chance. But don’t over think it and asking too many questions about the tests won’t help you much. A good nights sleep and no distractions is the best advice anyone could give you when taking the tests. Then rest is then up to the gods… Good luck bud.

 

[TFL_Rocks]

Online. Don’t stress. Get a good nights sleep before taking any of the tests and that’ll give you the best chance. But don’t over think it and asking too many questions about the tests won’t help you much. A good nights sleep and no distractions is the best advice anyone could give you when taking the tests. Then rest is then up to the gods… Good luck bud.

Up to god not gods haha but ya thank you for your help maybe we see eachother during training!

 

[JohnL93]

Not being negative but it’d be unlikely to pass a sift. They’ll have plenty of applications to chose from so unlikely to have somebody willing to relocate.
I’ve seen many people down the years take trainee jobs miles from home on the promise they’ll relocate and once they get their key they either….. ask for a hardship move to a depot near to where they live or they commute and become incredibly inflexible which isn’t what the railways want

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Jan 2023 ==


What a fabulous roster if you want Saturdays off

 

[atruetennisfan]

Up to god not gods haha but ya thank you for your help maybe we see eachother during training!

 

[SuperS16v]

I believe the process may be slightly different for those applying to Moor Street. As each Depot are dealing with their own recruitment process, there may be slight variations in the process depending on resources, timescales and so on. If you get through the second questionnaire then the VSE should be next, as far as I know.

Seems to be the case with Moor Street, I to have very recently passed all driver assessments and didn’t go straight to VSE.

 

[ak46]

Hello everyone,

Does anybody know anything about what is going on in regards to Aylesbury. I applied back on the 30th January and had their general email of 'we'll reply back within 2-4 weeks etc'. Here we are on the 16th March and i've not heard a thing since.

I've not received any additional questionnaires of any kind, I haven't had a rejection email and when i check on the portal my application still just says 'Application in Process'.

I have tried emailing the HR department and they have ignored me as well.

Does anybody have any knowledge of what is going on with Aylesbury.

Thank You

 

[jumboj]

Hello everyone,

Does anybody know anything about what is going on in regards to Aylesbury. I applied back on the 30th January and had their general email of 'we'll reply back within 2-4 weeks etc'. Here we are on the 16th March and i've not heard a thing since.

I've not received any additional questionnaires of any kind, I haven't had a rejection email and when i check on the portal my application still just says 'Application in Process'.

I have tried emailing the HR department and they have ignored me as well.

Does anybody have any knowledge of what is going on with Aylesbury.

Thank You

Morning...
Glad someone else is in the dark .
I am exactly the same ...I have e mailed HR 3 times ...not even a reply .
I guess application is still in process ..but who knows
Keep the faith and hopefully get some correspondence this year !

 

[atruetennisfan]

Morning...
Glad someone else is in the dark .
I am exactly the same ...I have e mailed HR 3 times ...not even a reply .
I guess application is still in process ..but who knows
Keep the faith and hopefully get some correspondence this year !

Unfortunately the process can be quite lengthy. There are thousands of applicants and it can take some time to get through it all.

 

[Brum_AVFC]

Morning...
Glad someone else is in the dark .
I am exactly the same ...I have e mailed HR 3 times ...not even a reply .
I guess application is still in process ..but who knows
Keep the faith and hopefully get some correspondence this year !

Applying with another TOC before, it took from July application to December of the same year to get to the assessment day. It can take months and months to get to the end stages

 

[SuperS16v]

Morning...
Glad someone else is in the dark .
I am exactly the same ...I have e mailed HR 3 times ...not even a reply .
I guess application is still in process ..but who knows
Keep the faith and hopefully get some correspondence this year !

No news is sometimes good news.

Another TOC took 7 months from application to inviting me to the assessment centre. I hadn’t heard anything prior, even with me chasing them. I’m now going through the same thing with the DMI.

 

[atruetennisfan]

No news is sometimes good news.

Another TOC took 7 months from application to inviting me to the assessment centre. I hadn’t heard anything prior, even with me chasing them. I’m now going through the same thing with the DMI.

And most applicants will be told that they may not hear anything at all.

No news is sometimes good news.

Another TOC took 7 months from application to inviting me to the assessment centre. I hadn’t heard anything prior, even with me chasing them. I’m now going through the same thing with the DMI.

That's surprisingly long, even for a TOC. And sometimes people don't hear back at all. All I can say is be patient and you'll get there eventually. Good luck.

 

[michbridie]

I’ve also applied to Aylesbury. I had another form to complete to say where I live etc - that was in February.
I haven’t heard anything since and just says ‘application in progress’.
Not giving up hope just yet!

 

[atruetennisfan]

I’ve also applied to Aylesbury. I had another form to complete to say where I live etc - that was in February.
I haven’t heard anything since and just says ‘application in progress’.
Not giving up hope just yet!

Looks like everyone is in the same boat so unless you have received a rejection letter (some have) then I'd take that as a good sign.

But don't shout at me if I'm wrong.

 

[d44nny]

Is there any Moor Street applicants here that have also applied for avanti? At what point would you give your focus to 1 toc?

 

[SuperS16v]

Is there any Moor Street applicants here that have also applied for avanti? At what point would you give your focus to 1 toc?

Yeah I have mate.

I have already passed assessments to National standard with another TOC.

A chap on here said Chiltern have dropped down to nationals standard whilst Avanti is enhanced.

I may go straight through to interview with Chiltern in which case I would drop out of Avanti. I’m not sure I would risk my current pass / life.