Freightliner - Trainee Train Driver - London Gateway (22/04/25)

[unbutton]

Had the DMI and got an offer which is a relief. Apparently I'm lucky to have got through so fast, just circumstance around squeezing all the assessments into a day and being able to do the DMI on a day others couldn't. I got the impression they're doing the bulk of assessments and DMIs in the next few weeks, with a planned start for late September.

 

[Carrot12345]

Had the DMI and got an offer which is a relief. Apparently I'm lucky to have got through so fast, just circumstance around squeezing all the assessments into a day and being able to do the DMI on a day others couldn't. I got the impression they're doing the bulk of assessments and DMIs in the next few weeks, with a planned start for late September.

Nice, congrats!! I only just done the first load of stuff. Believe opc sent me 4 things to complete. Questionnaire and then 1 SJT. Hopefully go on to the next stage. Submitted last Monday so just over a week now.

 

[unbutton]

Nice, congrats!! I only just done the first load of stuff. Believe opc sent me 4 things to complete. Questionnaire and then 1 SJT. Hopefully go on to the next stage. Submitted last Monday so just over a week now.

Best of luck! If you fall short of the mark it seems you hear back quickly. If you haven't heard for a week, I'd tentatively take it as a good sign. I only learned I passed each assessment in the same email that they'd invite me to the next for.

 

[Carrot12345]

Best of luck! If you fall short of the mark it seems you hear back quickly. If you haven't heard for a week, I'd tentatively take it as a good sign. I only learned I passed each assessment in the same email that they'd invite me to the next for.

Thank you mate. Guessing if I am it’s the M7SJT & VSE next. Any tips? Thanks

 

[unbutton]

Not anything new that you won't have found already. If you passed the online SJT, its more of the same. Can't remember which the VSE was as I did all the OPC stuff in a day, but if you're invited you'll get practice material in the email. Do it all. It may not be 100% close to how the test is done, but understanding what's being asked and getting accustomed to the time the test takes gives you a level of comfort before even sitting down which is a huge leg over.

 

[Carrot12345]

Thank you mate!!! Just had the email to complete the next stage. VSE & M7SJT.

Gonna do the practice material they’re sent. Hopefully will do good

 

[mad1976cam]

I plan on taking my driving test within the next few months. I guess the rules about getting to the depot only apply once you've passed the trainee stage which takes over a year, I believe. So I should have enough time to get my licence.

If your required to train away from depot (likely), you will get a hire car to travel to the training centre, you’ll lodge away sun-Fri, you will also need to drive to Crewe for the induction!
Driving licence is a requirement for HH, but while no stipulations for IM drivers to have licence, the reality is you’ll need it

 

[Miky_G]

If your required to train away from depot (likely), you will get a hire car to travel to the training centre, you’ll lodge away sun-Fri, you will also need to drive to Crewe for the induction!
Driving licence is a requirement for HH, but while no stipulations for IM drivers to have licence, the reality is you’ll need it

Is it only hire cars they'll provide during training or would they pay for your train fare?

 

[MR Grunter]

Is it only hire cars they'll provide during training or would they pay for your train fare?

When I did mine back in 2020 I trained in Carlisle although I am based at Tilbury. They paid for all the tickets in advance. However, things have changed drastically over the last 2 years and they seem to have really tightend their finances everywhere they can.
I believe you will be doing all your training at Tilbury Depot. How you get there or where you stay i would not know.
I would presume that due to the recruitment being for London Gateway, you will all live within a certian distance of the depot therefore no accommodation would be provided and travel would be at your own expense and your own arrangements.
Thats just my take on it.
I have heard for reliable source at our depot that there will be no lodging as there is no need. This is the whole reason the training is being held at Tilbury depot and not elsewhere.

 

[unbutton]

When I did mine back in 2020 I trained in Carlisle although I am based at Tilbury. They paid for all the tickets in advance. However, things have changed drastically over the last 2 years and they seem to have really tightend their finances everywhere they can.
I believe you will be doing all your training at Tilbury Depot. How you get there or where you stay i would not know.
I would presume that due to the recruitment being for London Gateway, you will all live within a certian distance of the depot therefore no accommodation would be provided and travel would be at your own expense and your own arrangements.
Thats just my take on it.
I have heard for reliable source at our depot that there will be no lodging as there is no need. This is the whole reason the training is being held at Tilbury depot and not elsewhere.

I wouldn't mind if this was the case, but at my interview for this round of recruitment I was told explicitly that training is at Ipswich. Now whether they were going off "how its always been" information or if this is already set, I'm not sure.

 

[Numbskull100]

I wouldn't mind if this was the case, but at my interview for this round of recruitment I was told explicitly that training is at Ipswich. Now whether they were going off "how its always been" information or if this is already set, I'm not sure.

The grad course is 100% at the academy at Ipswich.

 

[Carrot12345]

Just done the VSE…. Wow stage 3 was nuts. Please tell me you can have a few errors. Don’t think I missed an error on the track at least. Just the symbols/shapes

 

[unbutton]

Just done the VSE…. Wow stage 3 was nuts. Please tell me you can have a few errors. Don’t think I missed an error on the track at least. Just the symbols/shapes

I definitely had some errors, stage 3 was a significant uptick in difficulty but I reckon staying composed and recovering after a mistake counts for a lot here.

 

[Carrot12345]

Yeah feel like stage 1 was all good, not any. Maybe 3 or so on stage 2 then stage 3 feel like stayed on top of the track just symbols the other side. That and M7SJT submitted now.

How long did you take to hear if passed?

 

[MR Grunter]

The grad course is 100% at the academy at Ipswich.

It would make sense given the training facilities are like brand new. However I can only go by what we heard from our PMs.
Whether they got ot wrong or it's changed I do not know.

 

[unbutton]

Yeah feel like stage 1 was all good, not any. Maybe 3 or so on stage 2 then stage 3 feel like stayed on top of the track just symbols the other side. That and M7SJT submitted now.

How long did you take to hear if passed?

Took me about 2 weeks after each stage to hear if I'd passed (it was always in the email inviting me to the next stage). But my intake group seemed weirdly handled and I think it will vary for you guys going through it now. Chances are if you've not succeeded, you'll hear back much quicker.

 

[Carrot12345]

From what I’ve been told, won’t hear till the deadline for them to be completed which was the 10th. Earliest Friday, otherwise Monday Tuesday. Squeaky bum time till then

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Jul 2025 ==

Is anyone else waiting to hear back for the M7SJT & VSE. Deadline was yesterday

 

[Carrot12345]

Just got the email….. PASSED. Now invited in for stage 1 on the 25th.

• Group Bourdon
• Tea-occ (Test of Everyday Attention)
• TRP1b (Trainability for Rules and Procedures, Part 1b)
• TRP2 (Trainability for Rules and Procedures, Part 2)
• DFFT (Driver Fault Finding Test)

 

[BigPondFish]

Contract received today. Start date 29th September.

 

[Carrot12345]

Contract received today. Start date 29th September.

Congrats, where is the training based?

 

[BigPondFish]

Congrats, where is the training based?

Doesn't say but I think it will be in Ipswich.

 

[Carrot12345]

Stage 1 done today, now the waiting game starts for results.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Jul 2025 ==

Stage 1 passed!! Onto stage 2 next week. Any tips for the 3 computer tests and the MMI? Thank you

 

[20atthemagnet]

Towards the end of the trainee campaign Freightliner put out for a qualified position/positions in June for the same location (Tilbury/Gateway)

Has anybody heard anything about that?

 

[PNutt]

Towards the end of the trainee campaign Freightliner put out for a qualified position/positions in June for the same location (Tilbury/Gateway)

Has anybody heard anything about that?

Any qualified driver who wants to go there would have their hand bitten off. The fact they were offering £1000+ to current members of staff who managed to get a qualified driver to join there further proves the point.

 

[NSEWonderer]

Any qualified driver who wants to go there would have their hand bitten off. The fact they were offering £1000+ to current members of staff who managed to get a qualified driver to join there further proves the point.

What?? Surely not that desperate!

 

[AD15]

Does anyone know the salary and if they do final salary pension?

Just over 67k once on full money.

 

[Indistinct]

That’s HH, IM is £62k. Freightliner are in the RPS but not sure if new drivers have to wait 2 years.

 

[Unobrow]

That’s HH, IM is £62k. Freightliner are in the RPS but not sure if new drivers have to wait 2 years.

I think it’s 3yrs before new starters can join the DB RPS. They’ll start on the IWDC scheme initially.

 

[Dave Tasty]

I think it’s 3yrs before new starters can join the DB RPS. They’ll start on the IWDC scheme initially.

I can confirm it is definitely 3 years.

 

[peas]

Results of my medical just came back all good. Unfortunately they have put me in the 'talent pool' disappointed is an understatement. Any idea how long it takes to be called up from them?