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CrossCountry - Apprentice Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion

Mancho

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6 Dec 2023
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2
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Derby
Hi all I applied for train driver apprenticeship for cross country back in October 2023. I only got one email to do the stvt test an appitude test. After completing this, I have nothing back! My application still states on going? I guess my question is.. is it really on going? Or just forgotten? Has anyone else had similar? Or know how it really works. It's now December.
 
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Neatro

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30 May 2018
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536
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Birmingham
I'm in the same position, I've done the test just waiting to hear back they're being really slow and I think are doing applications by depot by the looks of it.

Keep checking to see and hopefully you'll hear back, but XC are well known for not getting back to you at all, Ive known a few people apply do the tests and hear nothing back.
 
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Kieranmcd

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4 Oct 2023
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Anyone else for Edinburgh see arriva/XC are hiring qualified drivers? I wonder and hope this doesn't affect our applications
 

Sorcerer

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Anyone else for Edinburgh see arriva/XC are hiring qualified drivers? I wonder and hope this doesn't affect our applications
I don't think it will. This recruitment is for a 2024/2025 talent pool and will take up to two years to complete, so if CrossCountry need any new drivers before then they are likely to either already be in training, or in this case they will be already qualified from another TOC. I'd just take it to mean that they need drivers sooner than they can get them here.
 

dereksingh291

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I don't think it will. This recruitment is for a 2024/2025 talent pool and will take up to two years to complete, so if CrossCountry need any new drivers before then they are likely to either already be in training, or in this case they will be already qualified from another TOC. I'd just take it to mean that they need drivers sooner than they can get them here.
Will CrossCountry be recruiting for trainee train drivers again after the 2024/2025 talent pool has finished?
 

Sorcerer

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Will CrossCountry be recruiting for trainee train drivers again after the 2024/2025 talent pool has finished?
I only know about as much as you do. I'm just guessing based on what I know of the industry, and I know recruiting and training train drivers is a long, slow process.
 

Kieranmcd

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4 Oct 2023
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I don't think it will. This recruitment is for a 2024/2025 talent pool and will take up to two years to complete, so if CrossCountry need any new drivers before then they are likely to either already be in training, or in this case they will be already qualified from another TOC. I'd just take it to mean that they need drivers sooner than they can get them here.
Apprentice the reply. Hoping the talent pool and qualified positions are separate, but just like you said, it takes a while and no one really knows
 
Joined
4 Jan 2023
Messages
126
Location
Edinburgh
Anyone else for Edinburgh see arriva/XC are hiring qualified drivers? I wonder and hope this doesn't affect our applications
Hadn’t noticed that but in for Edinburgh too. Lets hope it means we will be more likely to get an earlier start date (24 rather than 25) if successful as they clearly need Edinburgh drivers sooner rather than later.
 

Mancho

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6 Dec 2023
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Derby
Apprentice the reply. Hoping the talent pool and qualified positions are separate, but just like you said, it takes a while and no one really knows
Apprentice is 6 months and talent pool is up to a year or so but youl do depo shunt work in the mean time. I think. That's based off a driver I know but on a different company.
 

SCDR_WMR

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17 Dec 2017
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Crewe
Apprentice is 6 months and talent pool is up to a year or so but youl do depo shunt work in the mean time. I think. That's based off a driver I know but on a different company.
You won't do any work. Once hired you'll do your rules, traction, handling hours and route knowledge. There won't be shunt work unless you're a shunter, I've not seen that anywhere before.

Talent pool is people who have passed testing and interviews and are ready to be offered contracts.
 

Edinburgh1987

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31 Mar 2021
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41
Location
Edinburgh
Anyone else for Edinburgh see arriva/XC are hiring qualified drivers? I wonder and hope this doesn't affect our applications
It won't affect your application. I think experienced drivers aren't much quicker to get out driving anyway but they are less paperwork. They normally have to give 6 months notice before switching etc.

Only thing it might do is a job going that could've went to someone in the talent pool.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Apprentice is 6 months and talent pool is up to a year or so but youl do depo shunt work in the mean time. I think. That's based off a driver I know but on a different company.
That doesn't make sense tbh, it's a different job to be a shunter and I'm not sure any company does it that way.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean with the timescales either.
 

mattymat

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23 Dec 2022
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94
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Birmingham
I'm in the same position, I've done the test just waiting to hear back they're being really slow and I think are doing applications by depot by the looks of it.

Keep checking to see and hopefully you'll hear back, but XC are well known for not getting back to you at all, Ive known a few people apply do the tests and hear nothing back.
How do you know they’re going by depot? Have any specific depots got back?
 

Shunter Bones

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16 Feb 2022
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Somewhere.
Hi all, has anyone got an interview at Meade House, Cambridge next week? I got the phone call Monday and have my DMI next Wednesday.
 

Kieranmcd

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4 Oct 2023
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Scotland
Probably as far away from me as you could get haha! Just had a glance at the route down there, looks lovely. Hope all goes well on Wednesday mate!
 

Shunter Bones

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Probably as far away from me as you could get haha! Just had a glance at the route down there, looks lovely. Hope all goes well on Wednesday mate!
Yes a bit of a travel!! Thanks again for the luck, i'll post any feedback or outcome when I can. I'm working on my interview stuff as we speak, I'd guess if successful, my first two routes would be the Stansted shuttle and Birmingham New Street?
 

mattymat

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23 Dec 2022
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94
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Birmingham
Yes a bit of a travel!! Thanks again for the luck, i'll post any feedback or outcome when I can. I'm working on my interview stuff as we speak, I'd guess if successful, my first two routes would be the Stansted shuttle and Birmingham New Street?
 
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Shunter Bones

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Somewhere.
Congrats! Has your status changed on the db website? And are they going depot by depot do you know
Thanks @mattymat My status changed from "Application in process" to "Assessment". Which I find odd as I already have A psychometric pass from last year with my current employer, I thought it would have changed to "Interview". As for the depot by depot, I have know idea.

Does anybody know where their training schools are?
 

dereksingh291

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Thanks @mattymat My status changed from "Application in process" to "Assessment". Which I find odd as I already have A psychometric pass from last year with my current employer, I thought it would have changed to "Interview". As for the depot by depot, I have know idea.

Does anybody know where their training schools are?
Their training schools are in Derby with hotel accommodation provided
 

Marsh47

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9 Jun 2023
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Birmingham
My application has changed to self-withdrawn even though I haven’t changed it so I think it’s a no for me. Best of luck to everyone else!
 

BlueMike26

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25 Sep 2021
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117
Location
Glossop
Hi all, has anyone got an interview at Meade House, Cambridge next week? I got the phone call Monday and have my DMI next Wednesday.
Best of luck! Still in for Manchester, application still in progress, but I don't expect to hear anything now so close to Christmas.
 

Jungie1799

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11 Nov 2021
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62
Location
United Kingdom
Hi all, has anyone got an interview at Meade House, Cambridge next week? I got the phone call Monday and have my DMI next Wednesday.
Congrats and best of luck! Since you received a phone call, does their number show up when they ring you or is it a “No Called ID” type of phone call?
I am worried that IF I am successful, I reject the call thinking it might be spam.
 

Neatro

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30 May 2018
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536
Location
Birmingham
How do you know they’re going by depot? Have any specific depots got back?
I don't know for definite but being as only certain depot applications are hearing back I'd assume it's being worked by depot, being applicants from certain depots haven't heard a thing but some at other depots have progressed/withdrawn or has a "no" response.
 

Shunter Bones

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16 Feb 2022
Messages
115
Location
Somewhere.
Congrats and best of luck! Since you received a phone call, does their number show up when they ring you or is it a “No Called ID” type of phone call?
I am worried that IF I am successful, I reject the call thinking it might be spam.
Thank you and good luck to you, the number which rang me was 07970 ******, so just a work mobile I guess. Tbf I wouldn't normally answer .
 
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