Northern Trainee Conductor Assessment Day Sheffield

[Pabloid]

Thought I'd update everyone as I have some wonderful news. Earlier today on Wednesday 17th January I got that magical call from HR to offer me a place on a course starting March 26th pending a medical! I can't tell you how happy I feel today and in fact I can't go to sleep such is my excitement. I can't wait to get started now, though I do need to pass the medical which I hope will be a formality After what has been a difficult 2017, this is the best possible start to 2018 I could of imagined. Just want to thank everybody who gave me advice and words of wisdom back in October and November. It really encouraged me and kept my chin up. Any further information anyone can give would be most welcome re: what to expect on training and also what I can do to prepare for it in the mean time. Thanks again

Hi there. I have read this thread so it’s great to see your update. Great stuff. NR recruitment is somewhat convoluted, certainly in my experience. I am in training school for Man Pic Conductors and so far so good. Hopefully I’ll navigate the coming weeks and successfully pass out.
Best wishes mate.

 

[darrenjpitman]

Hi there. I have read this thread so it’s great to see your update. Great stuff. NR recruitment is somewhat convoluted, certainly in my experience. I am in training school for Man Pic Conductors and so far so good. Hopefully I’ll navigate the coming weeks and successfully pass out.
Best wishes mate.

Thanks mate and best wishes to you. I also read your comments about starting earlier this month and wish you much success. How are you finding it so far? Is your training also based in Leeds or do they have training local to Manchester? I will be at Leeds doing my training so will most likely commute each day.

 

[Potato185]

How are you finding it so far? Is your training also based in Leeds or do they have training local to Manchester?.

There is a training centre in Manchester (Boulton House) which I was lucky enough train in. But it's merely draw of the hat with regards to where you get sent. If there next course is full of West people, they'll probably do it in Manchester and vice versa. How it's actually chosen is probably more logical, but that's how I see it.

Best of luck to all involved in their assessments/interviews/training.

 

[Pabloid]

I live close to Man & our school is city centre & “office hours” so to speak (generally 6.5 hrs per day). This means I use trains to get to & fro to work so that’s ace, & cost free of course! It has been really professional, v well organised, and our trainer is just brill, brill, brill! There is a lot of content so you have to be really at it, keep switched on, and be prepared to put in a touch of swotting in the evenings as there’s a number of assessments where you’re required to hit min 85%. We’ll kick off next week with the practical elements, first of which is theory, then practical “Personal Trackside Safety” and we will be assessed on that in order to gain our trackside safety accreditation. Following week is signalling learning, then the week after we get unleashed on trains (traction) and all the traction types used at our respective depots needs to be learned, albeit in out-of-service trains so a safe environment. Then... we all go off to our home depots and go out on passenger trains with an experienced conductor (minder”).
Apologies for boring on but it’s a learning journey & thus far I’m really enjoying it. Hope this is useful, & all the best my friend.

 

[darrenjpitman]

Thats brilliant info. Much appreciated and glad everyone seems to enjoy the training albeit that there is a lot of stuff to learn. I must say it is refreshing to hear such positive comments surrounding the role of train conductor and in fact that was one of the reasons I decided to choose this profession to go for! I know there is talk of driver operated only and in fact some companies have started to use Driver only down south I believe (which I honestly think is at the detriment of the travelling public, particularly from a safety point of view). Here's hoping common sense prevails and the role of conductor has many years ahead

 

[Username_taken]

There is a lot of content so you have to be really at it, keep switched on, and be prepared to put in a touch of swotting in the evenings as there’s a number of assessments where you’re required to hit min 85%.

What happens if you don't hit the 85% or can you fail the course and not get to go further?

 

[Spikeylado]

You will be given all the help and support you need to pass the course! A lot of it is down to attitude and how you approach the work! If you put the effort it's a fantastic experience and something to really be excited about.

 

[Username_taken]

I'm already excited about it and I've not started training yet. I should have my medical this week or next tho

 

[Spikeylado]

Hope it all goes ok!

 

[muz379]

What happens if you don't hit the 85% or can you fail the course and not get to go further?

The only way you will be withdrawn from the course is if the trainers feel you are not putting in any effort and so are not taking the job seriously , you'd get several warnings before that . Same with your interim assessment and final pass out .Although if you fail the final pass out you get one more chance with a member of the standards team . When I was in training nearly 4 years ago the trainer we had told us in the 6 years he had been at the training school only 1 person had failed to pass out . It was not common .

The trainers in the school are not there to fail you and will put as much effort in as necessary to provide you with the tools to pass . All I will say is if you are struggling let them know sooner rather than later and they will do all they can to help you.They are not just there because of their job knowledge but also because of their personable nature .

I will also say your class will muddle together to help each other through it . During my course there was a variety in terms of age . Not to come across as ageist but those of us at the younger end of the spectrum did get most things much more quickly I think its just owing to the fact that you are more likely to absorb and learn better at a younger age and it is not as long since you have been in a classroom at school or college . Anyway as a group we all helped each other , meeting up to revise for assessments and testing each other during breaks and on the train into the training centre . At the training school stage you are not in competition for a job and are all there for the same age so it helps to help everyone .

Also worth mentioning when you go out with a minder after your interim assessment and just before your final pass out get them to test you on any rules knowledge you feel is lapsing , that is what they are there for .

Anyway best of luck and if you ever need any help feel free to PM me .

 

[darrenjpitman]

What happens if you don't hit the 85% or can you fail the course and not get to go further?

I'm already excited about it and I've not started training yet. I should have my medical this week or next tho

Hi mate, are you also starting on the same course as me 26th March in Leeds?

 

[darrenjpitman]

The only way you will be withdrawn from the course is if the trainers feel you are not putting in any effort and so are not taking the job seriously , you'd get several warnings before that . Same with your interim assessment and final pass out .Although if you fail the final pass out you get one more chance with a member of the standards team . When I was in training nearly 4 years ago the trainer we had told us in the 6 years he had been at the training school only 1 person had failed to pass out . It was not common .

The trainers in the school are not there to fail you and will put as much effort in as necessary to provide you with the tools to pass . All I will say is if you are struggling let them know sooner rather than later and they will do all they can to help you.They are not just there because of their job knowledge but also because of their personable nature .

I will also say your class will muddle together to help each other through it . During my course there was a variety in terms of age . Not to come across as ageist but those of us at the younger end of the spectrum did get most things much more quickly I think its just owing to the fact that you are more likely to absorb and learn better at a younger age and it is not as long since you have been in a classroom at school or college . Anyway as a group we all helped each other , meeting up to revise for assessments and testing each other during breaks and on the train into the training centre . At the training school stage you are not in competition for a job and are all there for the same age so it helps to help everyone .

Also worth mentioning when you go out with a minder after your interim assessment and just before your final pass out get them to test you on any rules knowledge you feel is lapsing , that is what they are there for .

Anyway best of luck and if you ever need any help feel free to PM me .

Thanks for the heads up mate. Can't wait to get started and for sure I will PM you if there is anything I need to know. I am almost 42 years old and I have not been in a classroom environment too much in the past 20 years or so, so hopefully I won't struggle too much! I have never been the most academic person and usually struggle to take information in, but I am sure with plenty of hard work, I will get through it and pass out (fingers crossed).

 

[Username_taken]

Hi mate, are you also starting on the same course as me 26th March in Leeds?

I'm starting the 26th of Feb in Leeds. Just had my medical today. Everything was fine. Just waiting on the drugs test results but I'm not worried about that

 

[Username_taken]

The only way you will be withdrawn from the course is if the trainers feel you are not putting in any effort and so are not taking the job seriously , you'd get several warnings before that . Same with your interim assessment and final pass out .Although if you fail the final pass out you get one more chance with a member of the standards team . When I was in training nearly 4 years ago the trainer we had told us in the 6 years he had been at the training school only 1 person had failed to pass out . It was not common .

The trainers in the school are not there to fail you and will put as much effort in as necessary to provide you with the tools to pass . All I will say is if you are struggling let them know sooner rather than later and they will do all they can to help you.They are not just there because of their job knowledge but also because of their personable nature .

I will also say your class will muddle together to help each other through it . During my course there was a variety in terms of age . Not to come across as ageist but those of us at the younger end of the spectrum did get most things much more quickly I think its just owing to the fact that you are more likely to absorb and learn better at a younger age and it is not as long since you have been in a classroom at school or college . Anyway as a group we all helped each other , meeting up to revise for assessments and testing each other during breaks and on the train into the training centre . At the training school stage you are not in competition for a job and are all there for the same age so it helps to help everyone .

Also worth mentioning when you go out with a minder after your interim assessment and just before your final pass out get them to test you on any rules knowledge you feel is lapsing , that is what they are there for .

Anyway best of luck and if you ever need any help feel free to PM me .

That's for the great info fella. It's made me feel a bit more relaxed about it. I can't wait to get started!

 

[Grae]

Hi Darren
I’m in the middle of my training at the mo , have my intrim assessment tomorrow , everyone at the training centre have been fantastic , I’ve felt very looked after ( we have been staying in Leeds ) and like already mentioned , the trainers will give you loads of help and support , I’ve done some similar courses for airlines and northern are far more supportive and give you all the help you need ,
Good luck

 

[Username_taken]

Hi Darren
I’m in the middle of my training at the mo , have my intrim assessment tomorrow , everyone at the training centre have been fantastic , I’ve felt very looked after ( we have been staying in Leeds ) and like already mentioned , the trainers will give you loads of help and support , I’ve done some similar courses for airlines and northern are far more supportive and give you all the help you need ,
Good luck

Where about do they put you up? Are you in a hotel?

 

[muz379]

Where about do they put you up? Are you in a hotel?

In certain situations trainees on the training courses will be put up in hotels during the week . The main reason is that the company only has 2 training schools for guards one in Manchester and one in leeds , for certain depots like barrow or newcastle it is not practical to travel everyday to and from the training school .

I have heard of rare cases of guards for Manchester also being put up in a hotel in leeds as they trained there but that is the exception rather than the rule .

 

[darrenjpitman]

Where about do they put you up? Are you in a hotel?

I have my medical in a few weeks and my training starts March 26th in Leeds. Since I live fairly close in Sheffield, I am not sure what I am doing yet with regards to commuting or staying in a hotel. Don't know what would be more practical and financially viable given I would have to park my car each and every day, though it is free train fare obviously Maybe even drive to centre everyday? Haven't planned that far ahead yet! Either way, I can't wait to get started!

 

[darrenjpitman]

Hi Darren
I’m in the middle of my training at the mo , have my intrim assessment tomorrow , everyone at the training centre have been fantastic , I’ve felt very looked after ( we have been staying in Leeds ) and like already mentioned , the trainers will give you loads of help and support , I’ve done some similar courses for airlines and northern are far more supportive and give you all the help you need ,
Good luck

That is great stuff mate and hope it all goes smoothly as I am sure it will. Can't wait to get started!

 

[Username_taken]

In certain situations trainees on the training courses will be put up in hotels during the week . The main reason is that the company only has 2 training schools for guards one in Manchester and one in leeds , for certain depots like barrow or newcastle it is not practical to travel everyday to and from the training school .

I have heard of rare cases of guards for Manchester also being put up in a hotel in leeds as they trained there but that is the exception rather than the rule .

Yeah I live in Sunderland just outside Newcastle so it's quite a commute to Leeds and back everyday so I'm hoping I'll have the option of a hotel

 

[muz379]

Yeah I live in Sunderland just outside Newcastle so it's quite a commute to Leeds and back everyday so I'm hoping I'll have the option of a hotel

what depot will you be working at ?

 

[Username_taken]

what depot will you be working at ?

Middlesbrough

 

[muz379]

Middlesbrough

Ahh ,I am not sure of the arrangements for Middlesbrough . I am sure all will become clear before you start .

 

[JLex1206]

Hi all!

Please help!!

So later today 07/06/18 I have my first assessment day at Man Pic for conductor role. I've done some research online and at stations but the information NR have sent in regards to what will happen on the day seems quite vague to me. I'm bricking it in all honesty!! I' looking forward to it but I'm definitely more nervous than if it were any other job!

I just wanted to know if you guys could give me a heads up on the process? I don't like the unknown to be honest. I've worked in transport on buses and coaches most of my life but rail is definitely where I need to be so that probably explains why I'm so damn nervous.

Also any pointers on what to say or what not to say would be very helpful! I don't want to waffle on.

Thank you so much in advance and I'll update you after the event!

TY

 

[MissP123]

Hi all!

Please help!!

So later today 07/06/18 I have my first assessment day at Man Pic for conductor role. I've done some research online and at stations but the information NR have sent in regards to what will happen on the day seems quite vague to me. I'm bricking it in all honesty!! I' looking forward to it but I'm definitely more nervous than if it were any other job!

I just wanted to know if you guys could give me a heads up on the process? I don't like the unknown to be honest. I've worked in transport on buses and coaches most of my life but rail is definitely where I need to be so that probably explains why I'm so damn nervous.

Also any pointers on what to say or what not to say would be very helpful! I don't want to waffle on.

Thank you so much in advance and I'll update you after the event!

TY

I’ve only recently had my assessment for the same role, conductor at Piccadilly. The assessment day is quite straight forward. You have your 1-2-1 interview with one of the managers, they ask you about yourself and why you want to work for the company, they also ask competency based questions. Some of the questions they asked me where on the line of when have you shown customer service, when have you been in a difficult situation and then they ask you questions about when you’ve seen good customer service. You then have your group assessment, you’re in a room with the other people who are also there for their interview, for me there were 6 of us. Around the room are managers who are assessing your communication. In the group you have to discuss how you think the company can improve. For this part i’d say try and input as much as you can but don’t be over powering. I had my interview/assessment mid may and heard the next day that I had passed, I was sent for a medical exactly a week later and i’m due to start 18th June, so all in all a quick process. GOOD LUCK!