CrossCountry - Apprentice Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[Neatro]

Hi all,

I passed the OPC in Manchester in October for Cambridge depot but have not heard anything from XC since. I chased them before Christmas just to get an acknowledgement of being in a Talent Pool or potential medical date etc but have not heard anything back, other than from Matthew in recruitment saying he has moved on lol. I am ex-military and currently in the Police so am fully au fait with large organisations lack of communication skills but just wanted to check that complete radio silence post-assessment centre has been others experience?

Cheers all and good luck.

It's pretty much the way they communicate once you're in the pool until you get a conditional offer.

I've been in the pool since June/July last year and heard absolutely nothing from them since.

 

[sktt25]

It's pretty much the way they communicate once you're in the pool until you get a conditional offer.

I've been in the pool since June/July last year and heard absolutely nothing from them since.

Ahh that's to be expected I suppose but was hopeful of an acknowledgement email or phone call and if there's any potential dates coming up. Will just have to wait and see!

I believe there's at least three more courses this year with a group in the day time and a group in the evening at Derby. Hopefully some good news soon

 

[ku_ku_ka_cho]

It's pretty much the way they communicate once you're in the pool until you get a conditional offer.

I've been in the pool since June/July last year and heard absolutely nothing from them since.

Thanks mate. I thought there might be a brief 'well done for passing the assessment centre, we will be in touch in due course' but nope, literally nothing . I'll play the waiting game and keep my eyes and ears pealed!

 

[Tysoe]

I've been told there's courses in March, June and July but they didn't know for which depot.
I'm in for Cambridge too

 

[Amnesiac]

I've been told there's courses in March, June and July but they didn't know for which depot.
I'm in for Cambridge too

This is what I got told last time I checked in with them too. Depot allocation needs signing off before they can let people know

 

[PaulRay]

I’m in for B’ham depot and been told recently that there’s potential for a course in June with a few vacancies for B’ham

 

[ku_ku_ka_cho]

I've been told there's courses in March, June and July but they didn't know for which depot.
I'm in for Cambridge too

Nice one mate, I'll let you know if I hear anything re Cambridge depot.

Out of curiosity, I'm not in the rail industry so am conscious of wanting to make the most of what I hope is available time before getting an offer (fingers crossed).

I am using the usual books and videos on YouTube but if there are any tips for preparation for the role it would be appreciated.

I know people tend to say 'wait for the training to start' etc, but I feel like I am really wasting time that could be put to better use as I feel my knowledge of the industry and role is nigh on zero at the moment!

Cheers.

 

[James101185]

Hi all,

I passed the OPC in Manchester in October for Cambridge depot but have not heard anything from XC since. I chased them before Christmas just to get an acknowledgement of being in a Talent Pool or potential medical date etc but have not heard anything back, other than from Matthew in recruitment saying he has moved on lol. I am ex-military and currently in the Police so am fully au fait with large organisations lack of communication skills but just wanted to check that complete radio silence post-assessment centre has been others experience?

Cheers all and good luck.

Have you had a DMI yet? After assessment centre I had to have one of those. Then chased up next steps. Andy Cross and Kirsty Hughes were the names I was given who took over from Matthew Howell. It might be worth checking in with them to see whether you are in the talent pool or not. Then about next steps.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Jan 2025 ==

Nice one mate, I'll let you know if I hear anything re Cambridge depot.

Out of curiosity, I'm not in the rail industry so am conscious of wanting to make the most of what I hope is available time before getting an offer (fingers crossed).

I am using the usual books and videos on YouTube but if there are any tips for preparation for the role it would be appreciated.

I know people tend to say 'wait for the training to start' etc, but I feel like I am really wasting time that could be put to better use as I feel my knowledge of the industry and role is nigh on zero at the moment!

Cheers.

My father in law is a current DM and said to me not to bother trying to learn anything. They do street to seat and you could do more harm than good.

 

[sktt25]

Is anyone aware if there are more test days next week or was it just this week gone? XC could potentially start phoning people for the March course in the next week or so if nobody has heard about it yet. (If the March course is going ahead)

 

[FoxtrotOscar]

I’m starting a course in April, Leicester depot. Got a call last week

 

[JH-OB]

I’m starting a course in April, Leicester depot. Got a call last week

Congratulations. Amazing news.

Hopefully some of us in the Talent Pool might hear something soon then.

 

[TrainsJames]

If anyone hears anything regarding a course starting for CAMBS depot please let me know!

 

[JH-OB]

Has anyone heard anything about being allocated to a course yet?

Did they just call or email?

 

[James101185]

Has anyone heard anything about being allocated to a course yet?

Did they just call or email?

Mine was a call then an offer letter sent via email.

 

[JH-OB]

Mine was a call then an offer letter sent via email.

Thanks, Which depot did you apply to? Which course are you on?

 

[Boxie6404]

Has anyone heard anything about being allocated to a course yet?

Did they just call or email?

Hi mate. I'm on the April course. Got told the start of January via email. Had my medical booked the week after and completed it last week. HR sent the contract offer and other paperwork bits the day after by email.
Hope this helps. Cheers

 

[ku_ku_ka_cho]

Have you had a DMI yet? After assessment centre I had to have one of those. Then chased up next steps. Andy Cross and Kirsty Hughes were the names I was given who took over from Matthew Howell. It might be worth checking in with them to see whether you are in the talent pool or not. Then about next steps.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Jan 2025 ==


My father in law is a current DM and said to me not to bother trying to learn anything. They do street to seat and you could do more harm than good.

No, I had the brief online interview with two driver managers in the early stages but nothing since the assessment centre.

Thanks for those names mate, I will enquire as to my status as it would be nice to know.

 

[sktt25]

I spoke to XC recruitment last week. He said that there is a course at the end of June and one in September. The June course allocation is being decided the week beginning the 9th of Feb, so hopefully some of us will hear something in the next few weeks. He didn't have any idea which depots would be on it.

 

[Buffer stop]

Has anyone applied for other TOC's now you have passed all the assessments?
I have and now have another interview. I'm now in 2 minds what to do if I get an offer as I would rather wait for XC but it could be years so I've been told.

Hate this uncertainty and waiting without any clue when it could happen.

I did ask where i was in the talent pool but never got a response.

 

[JH-OB]

Yes, I’ve applied to others. There’s no guarantees the XC will offer a space. It’s a numbers game.

 

[SuperS16v]

Has anyone applied for other TOC's now you have passed all the assessments?
I have and now have another interview. I'm now in 2 minds what to do if I get an offer as I would rather wait for XC but it could be years so I've been told.

Hate this uncertainty and waiting without any clue when it could happen.

I did ask where i was in the talent pool but never got a response.

Your best bet is apply for everything you can and take the first offer you get. Once you’re qualified and got the drivers key you can move anywhere.

I was in a talent pool for a year and a half with a FOC. In that time I managed to apply for a TOC and become qualified before I even got the offer from the FOC.

 

[sktt25]

All I know from what he said about the talent pool is that the Edinburgh depot pool is running thin and there's only 3/4 in it. I imagine the talent pool is a bit scarce at all depots though considering the amount they have had starting

 

[GPR]

Does anybody have a direct email address for someone in recruitment at cross country please?

 

[Neatro]

Has anyone applied for other TOC's now you have passed all the assessments?
I have and now have another interview. I'm now in 2 minds what to do if I get an offer as I would rather wait for XC but it could be years so I've been told.

Hate this uncertainty and waiting without any clue when it could happen.

I did ask where i was in the talent pool but never got a response.

I wouldn't wait around for a singular TOC, I'd apply for whoever you can as you could be waiting years if it happens at all.

I passed with XC last May and now I start with another TOC soon

 

[JH-OB]

Has anyone heard anything from XC over the last 2 weeks about courses in June or September?

 

[softquaser]

Has anyone heard anything from XC over the last 2 weeks about courses in June or September?

Radio silence I'm afraid

 

[JH-OB]

Radio silence I'm afraid

Thanks, same here.

They did say decisions were being made last week, and updates would follow soon after

 

[sktt25]

I noticed they are advertising for the driver trainer role(maybe multiple) out of Derby. The closing date for that isn't until the start of March so maybe they'll wait to sort that before they can finalise numbers.

 

[holmes3755]

I asked for an update last year and got a reply.
Asked again recently to both contacts I have with xc and I’ve got no responses or acknowledgments from either.
Seems like radio silence to everyone at the moment.
There’s been a lack of comms and updates all the way through but it seems especially slow at the moment.

 

[TrainsJames]

Anyone heard anything?