CrossCountry - Apprentice Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[Amnesiac]

Just had a phone call I’m on the June course for Birmingham

Had the call too! See you there, same depot!

 

[JH-OB]

Congratulations

 

[FlyinScotsman.]

Just had a phone call I’m on the June course for Birmingham

Congratulations

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Apr 2025 ==

Anyone else lucky enough to get a phone call?

 

[softquaser]

Anyone heard a about September?

 

[sktt25]

Congratulations!

Did they say what depots are on the course?

 

[Amnesiac]

Congratulations!

Did they say what depots are on the course?

Not on my call, just mentioned how many from the depot I will be at are on the June course

 

[sktt25]

Not on my call, just mentioned how many from the depot I will be at are on the June course

How many Birmingham are on it?

 

[staffrail123]

How many Birmingham are on it?

He said 3 from Birmingham to me not sure how many the course holds

 

[ku_ku_ka_cho]

Well done! Has anyone had a call for the Cambridge depot?

 

[Tysoe]

Well done! Has anyone had a call for the Cambridge depot?

No I'm still waiting too!

 

[sktt25]

Has anyone else had a call about being on the June or September courses?

 

[Wyrleybart]

I’ve applied.
Are there only two routes that Manchester drivers sign?

Manchester to Birmingham
Via Stockport and Macc
Via Stockport and Crewe
Via Styal and Crewe then via Madeley or Alsager
Via Trent Valley to Nuneaton then either to Coventry or Birmingham via Coleshill

Birmingham to Reading via Coventry and via Solihull
Then there are the local routes between Bushbury and New St via Portobello, Soho, Aston etc.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Apr 2025 ==

GL to all potential recruits. I'm qualified though (drive for Northern).
Really want in at XC. Anyone know what's going on here?
XC only used to take qualified, never trainees. Change of policy?

I believe XC are still taking a few direct job applications from drivers, but the majority of XC drivers are trained at the Derby training school and they are now on cohort twentysomething. Several cohorts a year.

I did hear a rumour the previous head of drivers had a bit of a talking to about what you do with eggs and boiling water !!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Apr 2025 ==

He said 3 from Birmingham to me not sure how many the course holds

Cohorts are around a dozen normally

 

[softquaser]

Has anyone else had a call about being on the June or September courses?

I believe Junes' course is now full

 

[FlyinScotsman.]

Has anyone else had a call about being on the June or September courses?

I’m not holding out much hope at this rate to be honest. As far as I’m aware, Edinburgh won’t have any new trainees this year. I’ve just accepted that it’s not happening for me this year. Hope I’m wrong though..

 

[dbabs]

I've been in the XC talent pool for Birmingham for about 2 years now so very much given up, luckily recently been offered a place with West Midlands starting soon. XC recruitment practices are ... interesting.

 

[Buffer stop]

I’m not holding out much hope at this rate to be honest. As far as I’m aware, Edinburgh won’t have any new trainees this year. I’ve just accepted that it’s not happening for me this year. Hope I’m wrong though..

Edinburgh has 1 trainee on the June course.

 

[SuperS16v]

I've been in the XC talent pool for Birmingham for about 2 years now so very much given up, luckily recently been offered a place with West Midlands starting soon. XC recruitment practices are ... interesting.

Having been in a couple of talent pools they are quite cut throat. It’s not the length of time you are in there but the quality in there too. If people enter the pool with better assessment and interview scores than you then they will be given the course first. Unfortunately a talent pool position does not guarantee a job.

 

[FlyinScotsman.]

Edinburgh has 1 trainee on the June course.

Well that’s good news. They did mention at the interview they had 1 person left in the previous talent pool. So I guess that’ll be them moving onto this talent pool now. Unless of course the September course has already been filled

 

[softquaser]

Has anyone heard anything about the September course. April feels too early, would have thought they would begin calling around late May/ June?

 

[JH-OB]

I had an email from Andy last week, they know nothing about the September course yet.

 

[softquaser]

I had an email from Andy last week, they know nothing about the September course yet.

Thank you

 

[ku_ku_ka_cho]

I had an email from Andy last week, they know nothing about the September course yet.

The last contact I had was from Matthew Howell who has since left and directed me to the general recruitment email however they never reply. Do you have an email or phone number for Andy please?

 

[Reetzaboi]

Hey guys does anyone know how much annual leave there is with cross country and when it needs to be taken cheers

 

[softquaser]

Hey guys does anyone know how much annual leave there is with cross country and when it needs to be taken cheers

Can't remember, but I'm sure the original job description indicated that holiday would be allocated to you around training, would have thought it was the typical 28 days, but don't quote me on that.

 

[softquaser]

Has anyone heard anything yet? I've had issues with my phone of late and am currently out of the country. Even though I sent an email explaining this, I haven't had any communication.

 

[sktt25]

I've not heard anything yet. However, you'd think with all of the cancellations due to driver shortages recently we might hear something soon.

 

[sktt25]

XC are advertising for apprentice drivers out of Manchester, Bournemouth, Bristol and Plymouth.

By the looks of the application there will be more courses throughout 2026 and 2027 which is a good sign!

 

[NSEWonderer]

Starting salary £32,717 per annum, rising to £43,347 on completion of basic training.

Train Drivers are at the very heart of our business, and we look to recruit the very best people to join the team to ensure a safe, reliable and punctual service to our customers.

As an Apprentice, you can expect to receive a comprehensive training programme and support to enable you to progress into a fully qualified driver.

As you would imagine the criterion to become a trainee driver are tough and all applicants will have to follow several stages of a process following initial application stage.

To be eligible to apply you must:

• Committed to a safe working environment.

• Strong customer focus.

• Be able to comply with the relevant Rail Industry Standard for the role.

• Be prepared to live away from home from Monday to Friday for up to 21 weeks (subject to amendments) of the training course.

• Have previously demonstrated a positive, can-do attitude at work.

• Be able to commit to the full 35/39-week training programme starting in 2026/7

• Live within 1 hour of the depot for which you are applying

The recruitment process will involve several factors, including a review of online application, SHL testing, interviews and a safety critical medical.

Anyone applying for the trainee driver positions must be able to attend the course dates and must take annual leave only where it is programmed into the course.

Once applications have been received, our assessment partner, SHL will be in touch with the next steps.

Closing date for applications: 13th June 2025.

We acknowledge the importance of our people's diverse experiences, talents and cultures. Embracing diversity and creating inclusion is a key component of our talent strategy. The creation of a diverse, inclusive workforce is central to our ability to unlock potential and enhance our success.

Did you know you can set up alerts for new job opportunities?

Simply navigate to 'My Job Alerts' in the Jobs Hub to get started.

Bournemouth

Bristol

Plymouth

Manchester

 

[43066]

By “basic training” do they just mean rules and traction?

Surely qualified/productive year one XC drivers are on a fair whack more than £43k, even if they don’t get the full salary for a year or more after passing out?

 

[NSEWonderer]

By “basic training” do they just mean rules and traction?

Surely qualified/productive year one XC drivers are on a fair whack more than £43k, even if they don’t get the full salary for a year or more after passing out?

Replace the £28,464 with £32,717 and the £37,713 with £43,347. Only after signing a route and a core traction do you move to the first year qualified driver Salary.