Trainee Train Driver - Virgin Trains East Coast

[5thrail]

This waiting is killing me ! im feeling slightly worries that I have had nothing done saying I was successful at the assessment stage. Maybe I'm not the priority with already having completed full physcometrics but I haven't even had confirmation that they have checked my scores.
I've emailed twice and left a voicemail. I dont want to pester them anymore so it's just a case of waiting patiently I think. Anyone else in a similar circumstance to me ?

I attended edinburgh assessment day on 12th Jan. Received congrats email 3 weeks ago and to await psychometric date 'next week'. I've emailed twice with no reply. Would be much easier if we got a simple 'please don't worry, we will get to you' message!

 

[Sirgerbil]

From what I can see and a few people I've spoken too, those of us that are currently at the medical stage (i.e booked in and attending soon) seem to be looking at start dates of April/May.

Those that are still waiting to hear about medicals or checking previous test results may be in the pipeline for a later start date hence the lack of communication.

They did state there would be a class every month for the next 12 months, guess its just a waiting game till your name is called!

 

[Davidson4301]

From what I can see and a few people I've spoken too, those of us that are currently at the medical stage (i.e booked in and attending soon) seem to be looking at start dates of April/May.

Those that are still waiting to hear about medicals or checking previous test results may be in the pipeline for a later start date hence the lack of communication.

They did state there would be a class every month for the next 12 months, guess its just a waiting game till your name is called!

Yeah that makes sense. I need to relax and stop checking emails 1000 times a day !

 

[Thechosen1]

From what I can see and a few people I've spoken too, those of us that are currently at the medical stage (i.e booked in and attending soon) seem to be looking at start dates of April/May.

Those that are still waiting to hear about medicals or checking previous test results may be in the pipeline for a later start date hence the lack of communication.

They did state there would be a class every month for the next 12 months, guess its just a waiting game till your name is called!

You could be right, has anyone actually been given a start date yet qualified or not???

Have any qualified heard anything AT ALL since their medical?

 

[Tyrion]

Does anyone know the Salary Scale for VTEC Drivers if you join as a Qualified? Is it on to Full whack straight away or is it staged like XC and VTWC?

Thanks in advance

 

[Thechosen1]

Does anyone know the Salary Scale for VTEC Drivers if you join as a Qualified? Is it on to Full whack straight away or is it staged like XC and VTWC?

Thanks in advance

I know them mate (roughly), if you send me a private message I'll tell ya

 

[Tyrion]

I know them mate (roughly), if you send me a private message I'll tell ya

 

[Thechosen1]

Thank you, it is not letting me send a message to you though or is it because I have just registered?

It will let ya after 5 posts, I had the same issue yesterday ha ??????

 

[Tyrion]

Okey doke, hopefully after this one then

 

[Tyrion]

I can leave a visitor message but not a Private one yet, I will wait until later on tonight

 

[Thechosen1]

I can leave a visitor message but not a Private one yet, I will wait until later on tonight

Yeah mate I see that, must need approval or something. I don't want to splash figures all over the forum that's all

 

[Tyrion]

Yeah mate I see that, must need approval or something. I don't want to splash figures all over the forum that's all

 

[csf92]

Still waiting to hear back from the assessment at Kings x on the 17th, I guess no news is good news!

I'm in the same position, attended on the 17th in the afternoon and still heard nothing, very frustrating.

 

[singo]

Long time watcher and first time poster here.

Is it just me or does anyone else agree that the group assessments were nonsense? Having worked on the railway in a number of jobs, I can honestly say that the group exercises were quite pathetic.

I won't say who I work for, but what I will say is I am glad my employer doesn't do silly group things

I couldn't for the life of me fathom out how they were related to the role on offer at all. I understand that they want to see how people work with others, I get that but to do three of the things, albeit three different "scenarios"?

I wrongly assumed there would be some individual exercises (as mentioned in an earlier email) which may have been test papers to see who had any knowledge of VTEC, how trains and the railway network function, that sort of thing.

I hate being critical of the process because not only does it come across as sour grapes, but may also come across as disrespectful to those who did progress which is not how I feel.

If I was judged by how I performed in an assessment that was so one dimensional, I find it hard to believe that with the role on offer and the responsibility that comes with it, they didnt do a broader assessment.

I don't work on the railways, but my background is transport based with many years working as a driving instructor. I also worked for the local authority in various capacities including assessing the driving of candidates who wished to become taxi drivers. The last few years I've worked in the emergency services, blue light driving, pressure situations, working unsocial hours etc.

But I'm not that good in group discussions even though I can cope with real life or death situations.

Anyway, they don't want me so that's that lol.

All the best to those still in the hunt.

 

[Davidson4301]

Yeah mate I see that, must need approval or something. I don't want to splash figures all over the forum that's all

 

[156484]

Does anyone know the Salary Scale for VTEC Drivers if you join as a Qualified? Is it on to Full whack straight away or is it staged like XC and VTWC?

Thanks in advance

It's staggered but only until you sign all routes and traction.

 

[Tyrion]

It's staggered but only until you sign all routes and traction.

Many Thanks

 

[156484]

Many Thanks

Who do you currently work for?

 

[dugster70]

I couldn't for the life of me fathom out how they were related to the role on offer at all. I understand that they want to see how people work with others, I get that but to do three of the things, albeit three different "scenarios"?

I wrongly assumed there would be some individual exercises (as mentioned in an earlier email) which may have been test papers to see who had any knowledge of VTEC, how trains and the railway network function, that sort of thing.

I hate being critical of the process because not only does it come across as sour grapes, but may also come across as disrespectful to those who did progress which is not how I feel.

If I was judged by how I performed in an assessment that was so one dimensional, I find it hard to believe that with the role on offer and the responsibility that comes with it, they didnt do a broader assessment.

I don't work on the railways, but my background is transport based with many years working as a driving instructor. I also worked for the local authority in various capacities including assessing the driving of candidates who wished to become taxi drivers. The last few years I've worked in the emergency services, blue light driving, pressure situations, working unsocial hours etc.

But I'm not that good in group discussions even though I can cope with real life or death situations.

Anyway, they don't want me so that's that lol.

All the best to those still in the hunt.

Excellent post, only time will tell as to whether these 'tree hugging' sessions will actually work or not. I don't know of any other TOC that uses these methods. Normally it's a driver manager interview where you have to give examples of dealing with emergencies, times you have done shift work and attended long courses, customer service skills etc etc. Everything that is relevant to the grade. No disrespect to anybody who starts the courses but being able to talk in a group about being sat in a pot of boiling water with carrots for company on a desert island and how you're going to get out of it (or whatever the subjects were) is not going to get you through the next 8-9 months of training. Saying that I suppose there isn't any other way of getting the huge number of applicants down. I hate to say this but some will fail and it will be interesting to see what Virgin will do when the numbers don't add up, will they have people in reserve, who knows. The number of trainees who've failed at my TOC over the past 18 months is into double figures.

 

[156484]

Excellent post, only time will tell as to whether these 'tree hugging' sessions will actually work or not. I don't know of any other TOC that uses these methods. Normally it's a driver manager interview where you have to give examples of dealing with emergencies, times you have done shift work and attended long courses, customer service skills etc etc. Everything that is relevant to the grade. No disrespect to anybody who starts the courses but being able to talk in a group about being sat in a pot of boiling water with carrots for company on a desert island and how you're going to get out of it (or whatever the subjects were) is not going to get you through the next 8-9 months of training. Saying that I suppose there isn't any other way of getting the huge number of applicants down. I hate to say this but some will fail and it will be interesting to see what Virgin will do when the numbers don't add up, will they have people in reserve, who knows. The number of trainees who've failed at my TOC over the past 18 months is into double figures.

Because of this "new" way of doing things, I know a couple that have slipped through the net that I wouldn't employ on a paper round.

 

[xtradj]

Because of this "new" way of doing things, I know a couple that have slipped through the net that I wouldn't employ on a paper round.

It doesn't matter if you'd employ them or not it's about who VTEC would employ.

Quite simply if they choose to structure the assessment day as they do, then you have to learn to become adaptable. Just because they do it differently doesn't mean it is a bad way of doing things it just means that is how they've decided to select people.

 

[Davidson4301]

It doesn't matter if you'd employ them or not it's about who VTEC would employ.

Quite simply if they choose to structure the assessment day as they do, then you have to learn to become adaptable. Just because they do it differently doesn't mean it is a bad way of doing things it just means that is how they've decided to select people.

Agreed. That just sounds quite bitter and disrespectful.

People that have got this far are either -

A- qualified drivers
B- newbies that have passed the cv stage , online tests and assessment days.
Add to that physcometrics and the interview and I would say that is rigorous enough.

 

[FManc]

It shouldn't really come as a shock to people that Virgin are wanting to try things differently. The MMI and pyschometric tests cover a lot of driver skills they're looking for. It was made quite clear on my assessment day that they want people that fit in with Virgin brand and that was a key part of the group assessment day.

 

[156484]

It doesn't matter if you'd employ them or not it's about who VTEC would employ.

Quite simply if they choose to structure the assessment day as they do, then you have to learn to become adaptable. Just because they do it differently doesn't mean it is a bad way of doing things it just means that is how they've decided to select people.

So you think someone from HR is more qualified to choose a driver over a DM? Do me a favour!

 

[Thechosen1]

So you think someone from HR is more qualified to choose a driver over a DM? Do me a favour!

Lol I know what you are trying to say and I agree with you.....but if my depot is anything to go by I wish HR had picked them!

The term "not fit for purpose" springs to mind ha

 

[156484]

lol i know what you are trying to say and i agree with you.....but if my depot is anything to go by i wish hr had picked them!

The term "not fit for purpose" springs to mind ha

 

[jeffround]

So you think someone from HR is more qualified to choose a driver over a DM? Do me a favour!

I agree with you, 'Virgin' (really stagecoach of course) really are not that great. I used to work for them as a guard. They like to think they are better. Trust me.. they ain't. There all hype. The assessments with the group exercise were in my opinion a load of old crap. They mean nothing to the role, i do think they have probably made a mistake with regards to their choice of recuitment style. Time will tell of course.

I am very used to Virgins unique style due to working for them previously, I said it back then.. and will say it again... it's bloody stupid LOL!

Personally I passed the group stage and have already completed the train driver assessments previously so am lucky I don't have to do them again.

I just want the driving role, I really don't care who employs me. At the end of the day it's all franchises... and it may not be Virgin in the future. (Hopefully)

 

[156484]

I agree with you, 'Virgin' (really stagecoach of course) really are not that great. I used to work for them as a guard. They like to think they are better. Trust me.. they ain't. There all hype. The assessments with the group exercise were in my opinion a load of old crap. They mean nothing to the role, i do think they have probably made a mistake with regards to their choice of recuitment style. Time will tell of course.

I am very used to Virgins unique style due to working for them previously, I said it back then.. and will say it again... it's bloody stupid LOL!

Personally I passed the group stage and have already completed the train driver assessments previously so am lucky I don't have to do them again.

I just want the driving role, I really don't care who employs me. At the end of the day it's all franchises... and it may not be Virgin in the future. (Hopefully)

I also work for them and have done for several years. That's how I know some of the 'candidates' are questionable.

 

[jeffround]

I also work for them and have done for several years. That's how I know some of the 'candidates' are questionable.

Then you will appreciate what I was trying to say

I now work for another TOC. I would be sad to leave them to be honest if I was successful.

 

[Tom9748]

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