• Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

Northern - Apprentice Driver - Blackburn (14/10/22)

Status
Not open for further replies.

Theoffs

Member
Joined
14 May 2022
Messages
40
Location
Liverpool
Link to Northern website

Location
Blackburn

Grade: Driver
Salary details: £22,634 per annum during training - approx 12 months
Rising to £43,198 in Year 1
Rising to £47,413 in Year 2
Rising to £54,500 in Year 3 onwards

Our 2 year Driver Training Apprenticeship Programme comes with a permanent role and an opportunity to play your part in our brand-new future.

At Northern, we’re creating a brand-new future. Not just for our organisation, but one that will transform the way we all think about rail travel. And if you’re smart, forward thinking, passionate and full of fresh ideas like we are, you could play your part in making it happen.

We recently launched our £500m fleet of new, state-of-the-art trains and we’re investing millions more in our existing fleet of trains and on station improvements. All so we can continue to connect thousands of people across the North to work, leisure, education and more every day. Our vision is all about taking them in an exciting new direction, delivering a different kind of travel experience, and introducing new ways of working.

We’re not just building a brand-new future for rail travel. We’re building a business that’s as diverse and inclusive as the communities we serve.

Here, we put people first. We challenge the way we think, and the way we do things. We encourage everyone to work together. And we strive to create the kind of working environment where you can be you - whoever you are, whatever your background.

This is Northern, and we think you’ll fit right in here.

As part of our team of highly skilled Train Drivers you’ll be the face of Northern. It’s about working on the frontline as part of our onboard team and alongside station dispatch and control colleagues to meet performance targets, stick to timetables, and make sure customers enjoy a true Northern experience as they arrive safely at their destinations.

You don’t need previous driving experience as our Apprenticeship Programme offers full Driver Training. You’ll spend your first 16 weeks taking part in classroom based learning in either Leeds or Manchester, followed by a minimum of 2 years training in our depot with our full support as you develop your skills.

We’ll expect 100% commitment from you on this rewarding yet demanding programme, but our Training Team will be with you all the way when it comes to ongoing assessments and knowledge checks.

What’s really important is an ability to stay calm and to think on your feet in sometimes challenging situations. And because you’ll need to work a range of shifts, from the early hours of the mornings until late at night, plus weekends and Bank Holidays, it’s vital that you’re flexible and that you live within 45 minutes drive of our depot. And don’t forget that our selection process includes safety critical medical assessments that cover general health, vision, hearing, colour vision and drugs and alcohol testing.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

JWS

Member
Joined
11 Oct 2022
Messages
136
Location
Bishops Stortford
As this is an Apprenticeship are you expected to carry out the psychometric tests still, will the application be the same process as other TOCs?
 

SVDW995

Member
Joined
21 Oct 2020
Messages
115
Location
Manchester
As this is an Apprenticeship are you expected to carry out the psychometric tests still, will the application be the same process as other TOCs?
Yes, same process re psychometrics etc, just have to do an exam or three (English, Maths and ICT depending on your GCSE results and exam boards) during the course of training for the Apprenticeship and some apprenticeship catch ups etc.
 

JWS

Member
Joined
11 Oct 2022
Messages
136
Location
Bishops Stortford
Yes, same process re psychometrics etc, just have to do an exam or three (English, Maths and ICT depending on your GCSE results and exam boards) during the course of training for the Apprenticeship and some apprenticeship catch ups etc.
Thanks for the response, I failed one computer psychometric test so I imagine I can’t apply unless the 6months expire between now and them coming back to me!
I already have a C in maths and English but nothing for ICT.
 

SVDW995

Member
Joined
21 Oct 2020
Messages
115
Location
Manchester
Thanks for the response, I failed one computer psychometric test so I imagine I can’t apply unless the 6months expire between now and them coming back to me!
I already have a C in maths and English but nothing for ICT.
I’d apply, might 6 months before you get to actually sit the tests again. That’s fine, you’ll just have to sit a fictional skills exam in ICT during the apprenticeship. Good luck.
 

Welshchick

Member
Joined
21 Oct 2022
Messages
50
Location
UK
Does anyone know if Northern recruits all year around, or is it just around Winter time?
 

joshcoyne1995

Member
Joined
12 May 2022
Messages
8
Location
Heywood, Greater Manchester
Thanks for the response, I failed one computer psychometric test so I imagine I can’t apply unless the 6months expire between now and them coming back to me!
I already have a C in maths and English but nothing for ICT.
Which computer psychometric test did you fail? I also applied for this role, had an e-mail today saying they had a lot of applicants and to continue to check spam folder
 

JWS

Member
Joined
11 Oct 2022
Messages
136
Location
Bishops Stortford
Which computer psychometric test did you fail? I also applied for this role, had an e-mail today saying they had a lot of applicants and to continue to check spam folder
Annoyingly the memory test one where they showed pictures for a split second and I had to state which kind of vehicles i saw. E.g lorry/bike/car etc and also if there were signs and traffic lights.

Yep I also recieved that email saying thanks for being patient.
 

halk1408

Member
Joined
9 Nov 2022
Messages
5
Location
Sheffield
Thanks for the response, I failed one computer psychometric test so I imagine I can’t apply unless the 6months expire between now and them coming back to me!
I already have a C in maths and English but nothing for ICT.
Hi what did they ask you during your interview?
 

joshcoyne1995

Member
Joined
12 May 2022
Messages
8
Location
Heywood, Greater Manchester
Annoyingly the memory test one where they showed pictures for a split second and I had to state which kind of vehicles i saw. E.g lorry/bike/car etc and also if there were signs and traffic lights.

Yep I also recieved that email saying thanks for being patient.
Yeah I can see me needing to practice that kind of stuff it can't be easy. Fingers crossed for us anyway mate see how it goes.
 

karl grindrod

Member
Joined
2 Oct 2022
Messages
71
Location
Bacup
Hi, new to the thread. I applied for the trainee driver job for the Blackburn depot in October, just wondering if anyone here did too, and if you've heard anything? Cheers
 

Clarets

New Member
Joined
2 Jan 2023
Messages
2
Location
Accrington
Hi, new to the thread. I applied for the trainee driver job for the Blackburn depot in October, just wondering if anyone here did too, and if you've heard anything? Cheers
I’m still waiting, I also got the above email thanking me for my patience and they will be in touch.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Does anybody have to hand the shift pattern?

Also, what is the pension contribution?

I am just trying to work out the monthly income as I, like most will be taking a considerable pay cut for the first year.
 
Last edited:

micker001

Member
Joined
25 Nov 2019
Messages
56
Location
Preston
I’m still waiting, I also got the above email thanking me for my patience and they will be in touch.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Does anybody have to hand the shift pattern?

Also, what is the pension contribution?

I am just trying to work out the monthly income as I, like most will be taking a considerable pay cut for the first year.
That is my worry for the first year. It evens out after the second year and then gets better moving forward. It's just study and nothing else I suppose year 1.
 

karl grindrod

Member
Joined
2 Oct 2022
Messages
71
Location
Bacup
I’m still waiting, I also got the above email thanking me for my patience and they will be in touch.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Does anybody have to hand the shift pattern?

Also, what is the pension contribution?

I am just trying to work out the monthly income as I, like most will be taking a considerable pay cut for the first year.
I called their HR department a few days ago to query what's happening, on their website it says my application is under review. When I spoke to the HR person she looked into it and on her end it says that I was successful following shortlisting. Can anyone tell me what that means? TIA
 

CreamNCookies

Member
Joined
10 Aug 2018
Messages
416
That is my worry for the first year. It evens out after the second year and then gets better moving forward. It's just study and nothing else I suppose year 1.
There's a bit more to it than just studying for year one.

After your first 12 weeks in training school you will be out in your depot. You will have several tasks to undertake these include front end turns and even driving.
 

cebz9

Member
Joined
22 Oct 2019
Messages
47
Location
leicester
Anybody else on here starting the 20th February for the above position? Looking forward to get cracking.
I was supposed to be on that course but the recruitment team then took me out of it and put me on the next one because that one is now full (and it’s for the west side).

Good luck in your new job!
 

karl grindrod

Member
Joined
2 Oct 2022
Messages
71
Location
Bacup
Anyone else here recieve an email yesterday saying thank you for your patience but it's taking them longer than usual to get through the applications? Same email I received in November.
 

joshcoyne1995

Member
Joined
12 May 2022
Messages
8
Location
Heywood, Greater Manchester
Anybody else on here starting the 20th February for the above position? Looking forward to get cracking.

Anyone else here recieve an email yesterday saying thank you for your patience but it's taking them longer than usual to get through the applications? Same email I received in November.
Yep. Makes me feel a little encouraged but the guy above said he's starting on the 20th Feb for this position so I don't have a clue.
 

karl grindrod

Member
Joined
2 Oct 2022
Messages
71
Location
Bacup
I
Yep. Makes me feel a little encouraged but the guy above said he's starting on the 20th Feb for this position so I don't have a clue.
I spoke to someone in their HR department last week and they said that there is a course starting every month and that on their end it says on my application that I was successful following shortlisting. So I'm holding out hope too that I've got through!! I know a guy who applied for conductor job, he got through but it took them 3 months to let him know... so it could just be the norm for their recruitment process?
 

Manchester91

Member
Joined
9 Nov 2022
Messages
9
Location
Manchester
I got the same thank you for your patience email on Monday. I’m around the same time frame. Interview was 8th November. Assessment 23rd November. I was planning on leaving it till start of feb so it’s been 3 months then asking if there’s any updates
 

karl grindrod

Member
Joined
2 Oct 2022
Messages
71
Location
Bacup
I got the same thank you for your patience email on Monday. I’m around the same time frame. Interview was 8th November. Assessment 23rd November. I was planning on leaving it till start of feb so it’s been 3 months then asking if there’s any updates
Did you apply for the blackburn depot post in October?
 

karl grindrod

Member
Joined
2 Oct 2022
Messages
71
Location
Bacup
No I applied for Manchester in may
That is a long process isn't!! Congratulations on getting through though!! I've passed the paper tests to enhanced, computer tests and MMI with another TOC, Northern is the TOC I really want to work for so really hoping I get through the application process. Hope you hear something soon!!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top