Mikey3789
Member
Rejection email from Newcastle yesterday. Good luck everyone
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TransPennine Trains - Trainee Driver Recruitment Discussion
- Thread starter iwasyoungonce
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RailUK Forums
Crap money, crap shifts
I’m so sorry to hear about those who have received rejection emails! Never forget how competitive roles like these are (basically less than 1% chance of success with regards to applicant numbers and available positions) so don’t feel too disheartened.
Just remember the systematic approach TOCs use for sifting applications doesn’t necessarily accurately reflect your personality or suitability for the role. Keep steaming ahead, home in that dedication and I’m sure everyone will fulfil their dream one day
Just remember the systematic approach TOCs use for sifting applications doesn’t necessarily accurately reflect your personality or suitability for the role. Keep steaming ahead, home in that dedication and I’m sure everyone will fulfil their dream one day
zoomzoom123
Member
Unsuccessful email for Newcastle for me too.
Irish Rail
Member
With a less than 1% chance, I wouldn’t be as positive that everyone will live the dream, but that’s my opinion.
Indeed, but you have to believe you will get it
Just trying to be positive for those who have been unlucky this time round.
Though I do have to disagree, being a big advocate for self development myself I disagree with you that it is unattainable… I believe with the right mindset and effort it is more than achievable, and this doesn’t have to include driver apprenticeships. There are routes through the industry and internal recruitment so if somebody wanted to become a driver that much, they would sacrifice a few years of their career to achieve this.
Never underestimate the power of the mind
I agree with you, I also wonder if internal applicants have a better chance than external.? It was my first attempt and the AI interview was new to me. I feel this is where ive been unsuccessful. But like you say just got to keep applying.
Northrail127
Member
Just out of curiosity barring the one person who said they did the error checking and then got a rejection email fairly quickly. How long ago did people do the questions/test before receiving the rejection email? In particular Newcastle. TIA
Bandit_David
Member
I contacted the recruiting email the Saturday prior (5/07) to the deadline as I hadn't had a link and they sent me one on that day and completed it on the same day but haven't heard anything yet. Preston.
It's becoming increasingly rare for internal candidates to be given any sort of priority. Most TOCs have done away with the old style vertical progression planning.
There are still some that like to progress station/platform staff to guard roles, but they don't do guard to driver, they seem them as very separate roles now.
Still see some internal only listings but rarely.
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There's been quite a few. Loads has responses to the error test within an hour or so. There's been a wait after the hiring manager stage though.
Done application/questions 20th June
Error checking 27th June
Not heard anything since
iwasyoungonce
Member
January this year... Trainee Drivers at Scarborough, Newcastle and Hull Internal only
starshine81
Member
Another rejection for Newcastle today. 
Took about a week and a half to hear back after doing the error checking test.
Not sure if it makes anyone with rejections feel any better, but I’ve heard from a few people (including a close friend who works for them) that they only had one spot to fill at Newcastle. I guess you never know if they already have an internal or someone in mind/earmarked for it already.
Gutted but hey ho. For those that haven’t heard back yet, wishing you the best of luck!
Took about a week and a half to hear back after doing the error checking test.Not sure if it makes anyone with rejections feel any better, but I’ve heard from a few people (including a close friend who works for them) that they only had one spot to fill at Newcastle. I guess you never know if they already have an internal or someone in mind/earmarked for it already.
Gutted but hey ho. For those that haven’t heard back yet, wishing you the best of luck!
Scarborough didn’t have a suitable candidate and didn’t hire.
Irish Rail
Member
Usually what happens is that they advertise internally first. If they don’t hire internally as no one suitable/passes tests or an interview, they then advertise externally.
iwasyoungonce
Member
But TPE do offer internal progression.
That’s not the case in this instance. Only Glasgow was advertised internally, every other depot was advertised to both internal & external candidates at the same time.
I did say 'increasingly rare' not that it doesn't happen. We had an internal only 3 years ago, won't be another one now though as talent pool is full
Fishplate22
Member
In my experience internals took priority over externals when it came to start dates and maybe interview dates but iv never known a toc hire internal only as that would mess up other parts of the company for example if they hired loads of guards they would then need to replace them
My experience is very different internal only does happen at my TOC occasionally, and often internal applicants struggle to get a date off work to attend testing as simply can't have 10 staff off for testing so some simply can't attend which is abysmal.
Definitely preference for external applicants at my TOC now
NorthernTech
Member
Merseyrail have a direct promotion up from the guard grade. Very rarely do they need to hire externally.
Fishplate22
Member
That’s what I’m saying but when there’s both internal and external internal take priority through the process
They don't though. Certainly not from my experience. Merseyrail works differently as they almost exclusively hire low and promote. I've never seen a driver advert even working for the same wider company. Can't even move as a PQ driver from within Abellio to Merseyrail