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CrossCountry - Apprentice Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion

BW301

Member
Joined
30 Sep 2025
Messages
11
Location
UK
Can anyone who's previously gone through the process tell me how much notice XC normally give you before the psychometric assessment?
I'm away backpacking for a few months so it'd be handy to have an idea! Thanks
 
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Trains101

Member
Joined
27 Nov 2025
Messages
86
Location
Wolverhampton
Anyone here actually been through the whole process with xc? I hear wmt are quite long with there process as they mainly just keep people in talent pools. Is this the same for XC?
 

Mihigo26

Member
Joined
10 Feb 2025
Messages
66
Location
Edinburgh
For Edinburgh folk - I have just had the rejection email. Pretty gutted but not unexpected. SHL tests are completely bizarre way to sift.
 

MrBurnz

Member
Joined
9 Oct 2017
Messages
48
For Edinburgh folk - I have just had the rejection email. Pretty gutted but not unexpected. SHL tests are completely bizarre way to sift.

Same here, but also got the email to say that they will keep my details incase thy are able to invite additional candidates to the next stage.

Oh well, it is what it is.
 

Mihigo26

Member
Joined
10 Feb 2025
Messages
66
Location
Edinburgh
Was yours in pending or under review?
Under Review.

Which suggests to me that pending could be good news for those who haven’t heard anything but obviously I’m just speculating.

Great way to end the year this..

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Same here, but also got the email to say that they will keep my details incase thy are able to invite additional candidates to the next stage.

Oh well, it is what it is.
I got the other email also. Dunno why they send two.
 

Trains101

Member
Joined
27 Nov 2025
Messages
86
Location
Wolverhampton
Yh I’m guessing pending sounds good then touch wood

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Anyone here who applied Birmingham is still under review?
 
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Joined
4 Nov 2025
Messages
17
Location
glasgow
Same here, but also got the email to say that they will keep my details incase thy are able to invite additional candidates to the next stage.

Oh well, it is what it is.
No email as yet, just checked, and my status is still 'under review'

Hopefully hear one way or the other soon
 

Arussoco

Member
Joined
6 Apr 2024
Messages
73
Location
Edinburgh
Just had a 2nd rejection email for Edinburgh however this one has my name on it this time XC recruitment are very bizarre

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Just had a 2nd rejection email for Edinburgh however this one has my name on it this time XC recruitment are very bizarre
And the XC portal has now just changed too no longer under consideration
 

Garry

New Member
Joined
6 Nov 2025
Messages
3
Location
Scotland
For Edinburgh folk - I have just had the rejection email. Pretty gutted but not unexpected. SHL tests are completely bizarre way to sift.
Also had the rejection email for Edinburgh just after 8pm. Disappointed, but also glad that I don’t need to keep checking my junk folder anymore for updates ha.
 

chris89

Established Member
Joined
21 Dec 2009
Messages
1,371
Location
Somewhere
Just had a 2nd rejection email for Edinburgh however this one has my name on it this time XC recruitment are very bizarre

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And the XC portal has now just changed too no longer under consideration
I had two. The one from XC did mention be kept incase of extra roles come up.
 

MrBurnz

Member
Joined
9 Oct 2017
Messages
48
I had two. The one from XC did mention be kept incase of extra roles come up.

I got that one also, but it makes me wonder how I actually did on the SHL tests? As in, I appreciate that there were people who done better at them (therefore it makes sense that XC take them to the next stage)
Or are they perhaps just saying that to make us feel better?

But overall, I am not disappointed at not getting to go to the next stage, it is what it is, I still have a job that I enjoy.
 

BW301

Member
Joined
30 Sep 2025
Messages
11
Location
UK
Mine has been pending for around 3 weeks, just received a rejection email for Leeds with another email saying they're only taking the highest scores and they'll retain my details.
Pretty gutted.
Good luck to those who passed.
 

jaybon92

Member
Joined
28 Sep 2025
Messages
134
Location
Corby
As hard as it can be depending on person's location i would personally have a few different tocs in mind/on the go. Its very thickle and so disappointing especially if this is the only one youve applied for. Good luck to everyone who received bad news and please just keep going. You will one day become the train driver you want to be
 

KaneLeb

Member
Joined
9 Jul 2025
Messages
58
Location
ECML
As hard as it can be depending on person's location i would personally have a few different tocs in mind/on the go. Its very thickle and so disappointing especially if this is the only one youve applied for. Good luck to everyone who received bad news and please just keep going. You will one day become the train driver you want to be
I agree with this. Don't let a set back stop you from pursuing. It can take years to achieve a driver's role and be successful. Just keep steaming on and putting the work in. Also the positive is that getting rejected before psychometric assessments doesn't count as a life lost, so gives you time to keep learning and researching.
 

BHMGuard

Member
Joined
3 Nov 2025
Messages
36
Location
Birmingham
Rejected from BHM internal, however invited to OPC with another midlands TOC. Echo what was said above, apply for multiple, have your fingers in multiple pies.
 
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Mihigo26

Member
Joined
10 Feb 2025
Messages
66
Location
Edinburgh
As hard as it can be depending on person's location i would personally have a few different tocs in mind/on the go. Its very thickle and so disappointing especially if this is the only one youve applied for. Good luck to everyone who received bad news and please just keep going. You will one day become the train driver you want to be

For me this was an escape route out of my current role longer term and my career for the rest of my life so it is disappointing.

Being in Scotland and Edinburgh in particular I'm not sure what other companies operate here ScotRail, CrossCountry are the only two I am aware of. With ScotRail in particular..well I won't pollute this thread with them.
 

Unobrow

Member
Joined
19 Nov 2024
Messages
225
Location
Manchester
For me this was an escape route out of my current role longer term and my career for the rest of my life so it is disappointing.

Being in Scotland and Edinburgh in particular I'm not sure what other companies operate here ScotRail, CrossCountry are the only two I am aware of. With ScotRail in particular..well I won't pollute this thread with them.
LNER?
 

jaybon92

Member
Joined
28 Sep 2025
Messages
134
Location
Corby
Got my rejection email yesterday. Pretty gutted as the closest TOC/training center to me are not advertising for a few months so it may be a long long wait to try again.

My status never changed from under review to pending so have no idea what that means

Good luck to everyone still waiting to hear
 

Trains101

Member
Joined
27 Nov 2025
Messages
86
Location
Wolverhampton
Anyone know for the roles we applied for if it’s talent pool or straight for the job. When I read it there was nothing about a talent pool. Also anyone know how many people get taken on, like will it only be 1 or is there multiple per depot.
 

softquaser

Member
Joined
26 Nov 2024
Messages
48
Location
Long Eaton
Anyone know for the roles we applied for if it’s talent pool or straight for the job. When I read it there was nothing about a talent pool. Also anyone know how many people get taken on, like will it only be 1 or is there multiple per depot.
This has been mentioned in several posts.

Yes it is a talent pool.
Around 6 people are taken on for each training cohort.
The company will balance out driver requirement. Some of us have been waiting for our depot for two years, others have been taken straight through due to demands in those areas.
Only XC know where they need drivers and how many.

So if you are successful and pass all requirements you must wait until there is a need at your depot. Then you will receive the call for the next steps (medical) and it may only be you for your depot in training at that time.
 

tadhg1999

Member
Joined
18 Nov 2025
Messages
31
Location
Birmingham
Mine has just changed to Pending - I applied to Birmingham
Just checked, mine has also changed to pending from under review for Birmingham. This generally seems to be a good sign from what I’ve heard? I bombed that spatial test though We shall see!!

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Update - just got the rejection email for Birmingham though it isn’t a surprise. I bombed the spatial test, good luck to anyone who got through!
 
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Daveb1664

Member
Joined
6 Nov 2018
Messages
74
Just had the rejection email for Birmingham. Thats 3 tocs, I have been ditched at the first sift. 6 year ago I was in the talent pool waiting for a job offer after going through all the stages first time.
 

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