Unsuccessful Driver Application

[Kiefer]

Hello all,

This is my first post so I do apologise if this not on par with the rest but please bare with me.

I have recently submitted an application to a Railway Operator as a Trainee Train Driver which for the time being I will leave unnamed. I had completed an online assessment and got a second email which referred to a second test which was the alphanumeric test. In this email it mentioned whether there are any needs to make reasonable adjustments. I have been assessed with borderline Dyslexia and have had support through previous employers in the past. I called the Recruitment line and explained what assistance I felt I needed, I was told that as there is no facility to make an reasonable adjustments in the online assessment and I would be guaranteed an interview. I have heard some employers offering similar as they are part of the Interview Guarantee Scheme. I was lead to believe this was the case with this Operator. As advised I went on to complete my online application which I actually thought I did surprising well in (my perception of this may differ from other of course).

I have since received an email explaining purely the following:

Unfortunately, on this occasion you have been unsuccessful and we will not be taking you forward. We appreciate the time you took to apply and wish you every success in your career.

Any suggestion as to whether I should contact recruitment about the matter or accept the unknown reason behind why I was unsuccessful?

Thank you in advance.

 

[Juliet Barvo]

If you want to be a Trainee Train Driver... you'd probably get used to receiving that email. It will happen a lot.

 

[Juliet Barvo]

I queried being Dyslexic, got the reply "With regards to dyslexia, we may be able to offer support but only if we have evidence of your disability."

Note that there's n guarrente of an interview.

The online assesments are to see if you've got the concentration and reactions to do the job.

There's lots of competition fo rthose jobs. From dyslexics as well.

 

[Juliet Barvo]

pls excuse th edifferent treplies: different points to make.

I lost my dyslexia paperwork years ago. WHo did your assesment, and how much did it cost pls? ....do I really want to spend £450 on something that may or may not b used just acouple of times in my life??

 

[ZNB12]

Always phone and ask for feed back as it can improve your chances in the future, say about the conversation you had, especially if you got the person name. However sorry about the knock back, keep head up and try again.

 

[Static65]

The RSSB advise that the only tests for which reasonable adjustments for dyslexia should be made are the TRP1, TRP2 and the (optional) written communication test.

This is suggested as these tests are designed to measure your ability to complete driver training and not the safety critical driving role itself. As such, this mirrors the trainee driver role, whereby organisations would be able to offer adjustments to individuals in training, but would not be required or able to make adjustments for the safety critical action of physically driving a train alone.

As far as I am aware, all recruiters and testing organisations follow this guidance.

In order to facilitate this adjustment, the testing organisation will require written proof of a formal diagnosis of a specific learning difficulty.

Under the old two ticks disability scheme, some organisations used to offer a guaranteed interview to all disabled candidates that met the essential criteria and the majority have continued this. However, given that for most companies, passing the stage 1 and stage 2 tests is an essential criteria for securing an interview, this is now largely irrelevant as all candidates that pass stage 2 would expect an interview, disabled or not.

 

[Juliet Barvo]

So I don't know how my condition compares to yours, I struggle with Left and Right, not sure of the Alphabet, read by looking at the shapes words, take three times longer than anyother bloke in the office to read, can't paragraphs, get numbers in the wrong order or just plain wrong.... but I just passed day 1 to enhanced standard................that's over a year of practicing the tests.....

And when it comes to questionnaires: safety & procedure first, second and third!