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CrossCountry - Apprentice Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion

Jordan1991

Member
Joined
25 Sep 2022
Messages
216
Location
Poynton
Hi yes I applied in May and completed assessments in June and the first I heard was last week
Thanks mate that’s reassuring then. I’m hoping because I’ve got psychometrics passed that they get in touch when other people have had chance to complete theirs
 
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sktt25

Member
Joined
29 Jan 2023
Messages
106
Location
Edinburgh
For anyone still in the talent pools.

I heard from recruitment, the next cohort is in March and the spots will be decided in the next 4-6 weeks.
 

Trainlady71

Member
Joined
20 Sep 2025
Messages
11
Location
Bournemouth
anybody herd an anything for Bournemouth?
I’ve applied for Bmth and just passed the testing in Manchester

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For anyone still in the talent pools.

I heard from recruitment, the next cohort is in March and the spots will be decided in the next 4-6 weeks.
Is this for applications still ongoing ? I’ve done my OPC and MMI, now waiting for medical and DMI
 
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Reactor Scram

Member
Joined
3 Feb 2024
Messages
120
Location
Bristol
I’ve applied for Bmth and just passed the testing in Manchester

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Is this for applications still ongoing ? I’ve done my OPC and MMI, now waiting for medical and DMI
This refers to people waiting in the talent pool who have done and passed psychometrics and and the DMI. We're generally people that applied in September 2023. However, when you get a DMI and pass it you'll be in the same place awaiting medical and a course date.
 

Trainlady71

Member
Joined
20 Sep 2025
Messages
11
Location
Bournemouth
This refers to people waiting in the talent pool who have done and passed psychometrics and and the DMI. We're generally people that applied in September 2023. However, when you get a DMI and pass it you'll be in the same place awaiting medical and a course date.
Thank you ! I’m still learning how this all works. :D
 

chalkijr

Member
Joined
13 Apr 2023
Messages
188
Location
Crewe
June 25 ish
Just out of interest, what is the status of your application when you log in to the portal? Alot of us are sat on "pending" so I'm curious if yours States the same with you having been contacted and now completed psychometrics.
 

Reactor Scram

Member
Joined
3 Feb 2024
Messages
120
Location
Bristol
For me, as a Sept 23 applicant, there was a status change to "assessment". This happened a few weeks before I was called to be invited to attend a DMI.

It does look like those who applied in June 25 are doing psychometrics first, this time, so slightly different.

In my experience of playing this fun game, if you haven't had any contact written or phone call, then you're still in contention. If you scroll back through this thread you'll see that Sept 23 people were notified if they were unsuccessful. For obvious reasons, many people won't necessarily write on here if they've been turned down but there are some examples of people being notified that they were unsuccessful after initial application and SJT phase.

Stick with it, I promise you that this is not carried out as one big glut of advancement for people. Different depots have different requirements and they'll dip into applications as they need to top up the talent pools. Those from Sept 23 will tell you that they were contacted to advance ranging from Oct 23 through until April 24 roughly.
 

Trainlady71

Member
Joined
20 Sep 2025
Messages
11
Location
Bournemouth
Just out of interest, what is the status of your application when you log in to the portal? Alot of us are sat on "pending" so I'm curious if yours States the same with you having been contacted and now completed psychometrics.
Is this the Arriva application portal ? If so my status is still showing pending too
 

chalkijr

Member
Joined
13 Apr 2023
Messages
188
Location
Crewe
For me, as a Sept 23 applicant, there was a status change to "assessment". This happened a few weeks before I was called to be invited to attend a DMI.

It does look like those who applied in June 25 are doing psychometrics first, this time, so slightly different.

In my experience of playing this fun game, if you haven't had any contact written or phone call, then you're still in contention. If you scroll back through this thread you'll see that Sept 23 people were notified if they were unsuccessful. For obvious reasons, many people won't necessarily write on here if they've been turned down but there are some examples of people being notified that they were unsuccessful after initial application and SJT phase.

Stick with it, I promise you that this is not carried out as one big glut of advancement for people. Different depots have different requirements and they'll dip into applications as they need to top up the talent pools. Those from Sept 23 will tell you that they were contacted to advance ranging from Oct 23 through until April 24 roughly.
Thanks for the reassurance!

Are you still waiting, or have you started for them now?

Is this the Arriva application portal ? If so my status is still showing pending too
Yes the arriva portal :)
 

Reactor Scram

Member
Joined
3 Feb 2024
Messages
120
Location
Bristol
Thanks for the reassurance!

Are you still waiting, or have you started for them now?


Yes the arriva portal :)
Still waiting. Needed a couple of bites at psychometrics to get through it all under the old two life system. Been ready to go with everything done in the talent pool since Jan 25. I know of others who have been waiting since April 24.

I understand that there is due to be more courses in 2026 than there was in 2025 so that's good news for everyone.

Hopefully you hear back one way or another soon.
 

rozza1234

Member
Joined
30 Sep 2025
Messages
26
Location
bristol
Hi, i applied for Bristol in early 25, got the spatial awareness tests sent in March some time. Got a call from XC at later end of July to book Psychometric testing in Manchester. I passed all tests and now wait for the next step. Does anyone know how long the next part is? Is it now a long waiting game? I haven't had a DMI yet. Also, ive seen so many different starting wages, does anyone know an up to date wage scale so I can see what i'd be on please and when it goes up? I dont mind what it is but I need to know for budgeting reasons. Many thanks.
 

sktt25

Member
Joined
29 Jan 2023
Messages
106
Location
Edinburgh
Post number 1328 for the financial info on this thread. I think it's about to go up 3.4% as well.

As far as wait times goes there is no definitive answer. There are still people in the pools that applied and were successful for the 2023 advert so you could be waiting until they have started before you get a start date.
 

rozza1234

Member
Joined
30 Sep 2025
Messages
26
Location
bristol
June 25 ish
Hi, I applied June 25 too but for the Bristol role. Have you heard anything since passing the psychometric testing? I only passed on Monday so I know I'll be waiting a bit. I wonder how many more are awaiting psychometric testing from that June 25 advert.
 

chalkijr

Member
Joined
13 Apr 2023
Messages
188
Location
Crewe
Hi, I applied June 25 too but for the Bristol role. Have you heard anything since passing the psychometric testing? I only passed on Monday so I know I'll be waiting a bit. I wonder how many more are awaiting psychometric testing from that June 25 advert.
Some of us who applied have already previously passed psychometrics, and are still waiting to know if we have passed initial online testing for the same advert. It can be such a crazy process
 

danchil

Member
Joined
29 Sep 2020
Messages
59
Location
Nowhere
Some of us who applied have already previously passed psychometrics, and are still waiting to know if we have passed initial online testing for the same advert. It can be such a crazy process
Mad isn’t it, in the same boat here. Good to know they give everyone a fair shot though
 

BongCups34

Member
Joined
4 Oct 2023
Messages
47
Location
Bristol
Hi
I’m in the talent pool for Bristol.
I was wondering if anyone can share some info.
What is the initial training course like ?
Possible locations?
Course duration?

Thanks in advance
 

Amnesiac

Member
Joined
7 Feb 2022
Messages
129
Location
..
Hi
I’m in the talent pool for Bristol.
I was wondering if anyone can share some info.
What is the initial training course like ?
Possible locations?
Course duration?

Thanks in advance

It's intense but very enjoyable if you commit to it fully! Doing the extra work outside of the classroom will pay off in the long run for your end of classroom assessments. You will be lodging in Derby no matter what, but depending on how far away you live you'll travel in on either Sunday or Monday. Course duration is initially 12 weeks, with an additional 3 weeks on top depending on how you do in Part A. It's a very good learning experience in the academy and you are very well looked after there, just put the effort in is all I'll say
 

BongCups34

Member
Joined
4 Oct 2023
Messages
47
Location
Bristol
Thank you for that. After the 12+3 weeks class room is that when you then generally would go to depot?

Do you come back home on weekends?

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Does anyone know what the shift pattern is like from Bristol depot?
 
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Amnesiac

Member
Joined
7 Feb 2022
Messages
129
Location
..
Yes, you go back home on the weekends whilst in the academy. After you've finished all of the classroom work and passed all of the required assessments you are released to depot
 

BongCups34

Member
Joined
4 Oct 2023
Messages
47
Location
Bristol
Yes, you go back home on the weekends whilst in the academy. After you've finished all of the classroom work and passed all of the required assessments you are released to depot
Thanks for the info

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Hi
Does anyone have any idea when people could start to hear about the placement on the possible march course ?
 
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Reactor Scram

Member
Joined
3 Feb 2024
Messages
120
Location
Bristol
Thanks for the info

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Hi
Does anyone have any idea when people could start to hear about the placement on the possible march course ?
I heard that it'll be most likely be in November.

Obviously that's not solid info, but in the second half of September Andy told another in the talent pool that March would be decided in 4-6 weeks.
 

RailEnt

On Moderation
Joined
24 May 2022
Messages
15
Location
Oxford
I am waiting for a start date since last December. They dont reply to emails anymore. Does anyone has any insight?
 

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