XC - Driver Recruitment

[Davy17]

Afternoon,

Apologies in advance i am new to the forum.

I am wondering if there are any XC qualified drivers on this forum who may have any answers to a couple of questions regarding XC driver recruitment please.

I can further post my queries if required.

cheers guys/girls

 

[Horizon22]

Welcome to the forum. Could you post your specific queries?

 

[Davy17]

Sure no problem and cheers lol - I have always found XC come across a quiet TOC bit of a closed shop but maybe that is down to not knowing anyone who works for them. Unsure if thats a common thought.

I was really wondering a few things in general.

1. For a qualified moving over, what may the general selection stage be ie a standard interview and/or assessments?
2. I generally gauge from most TOCs questions during the interview stage are very similar, any ideas on XC approach?
3. Advert states excellent safety record, have they a specific time frame on incident history in mind where candidates will not even be considered?
4. Core routes/Traction - route home depot I assume but traction in Derby - do qualifieds ever attend training school or all in house at home depot?

I was surprised to see Edinburgh depot advertising again and then Newcastle which how small the depot is, very unusual especially for both where ive heard some routes north of Newcastle are being axed.

Apologies for the amounts of points, any info would be appreciated.

 

[Economist]

I don't work for XC but I have some idea of the answers to the questions the OP has asked.

Selection is based on an online application form and if you are shortlisted a rules exam and interview. The interview stage is thorough but know your stuff and you shouldn't have too many difficulties.

I haven't a clue about what SOL incidents they'll consider and the associated timeframes I'm afraid.

I believe qualified drivers attend a residential traction course in Derby, the company arranges accomodation.

They have EJRA and quite a few drivers at or approaching retirement age, hence there's been more recruitment than at other TOCs.

 

[Efini92]

What depot are you thinking of applying for?

 

[dctraindriver]

Sure no problem and cheers lol - I have always found XC come across a quiet TOC bit of a closed shop but maybe that is down to not knowing anyone who works for them. Unsure if thats a common thought.

I was really wondering a few things in general.

1. For a qualified moving over, what may the general selection stage be ie a standard interview and/or assessments?
2. I generally gauge from most TOCs questions during the interview stage are very similar, any ideas on XC approach?
3. Advert states excellent safety record, have they a specific time frame on incident history in mind where candidates will not even be considered?
4. Core routes/Traction - route home depot I assume but traction in Derby - do qualifieds ever attend training school or all in house at home depot?

I was surprised to see Edinburgh depot advertising again and then Newcastle which how small the depot is, very unusual especially for both where ive heard some routes north of Newcastle are being axed.

Apologies for the amounts of points, any info would be appreciated.

3. It used to be clean SOL, I don’t know if that’s still the case. Sorry can’t help anymore.

 

[Davy17]

Selection is based on an online application form and if you are shortlisted a rules exam and interview. The interview stage is thorough but know your stuff and you shouldn't have too many difficulties.

Exam as in test conditions like a normal rules day or normally a 2 part interview?

I believe qualified drivers attend a residential traction course in Derby, the company arranges accomodation.

How long normally do they last?

They have EJRA and quite a few drivers at or approaching retirement age, hence there's been more recruitment than at other TOCs.

EJRA - apologies i am not familiar with that terminology lol

What depot are you thinking of applying for?

Looking at Newcastle depot

3. It used to be clean SOL, I don’t know if that’s still the case. Sorry can’t help anymore.

Cheers - ill assume that will be all dependant on the individual then

 

[Efini92]

Exam as in test conditions like a normal rules day or normally a 2 part interview?


How long normally do they last?


EJRA - apologies i am not familiar with that terminology lol



Looking at Newcastle depot

Cheers - ill assume that will be all dependant on the individual then

They’ll ask you some rules questions out of a batch. I think it’s 10.
SOL is dependant, they do a risk assessment on each individual.
You’ll be in derby for the classroom part of the voyager training, the practical side will be done at your Home Depot.
EJRA is employee justified retirement age. XC have an agreement that once you reach state retirement age you have to retire.

 

[Yfg132]

Davy17, just out of curiosity where is it you work now? Company and location (if you don't mind me asking) and also what's on your SOL form would concern you into thinking you may not making the sift? Again not being nosey just inquisitive!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jul 2022 ==

I find it strange how once you are both traction and route competent you then wait 12 months for the full salary... Also as mentioned previous that they are not going to Glasgow from December.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jul 2022 ==

Say if 30 apply, how many will be sifted and make it to interview? Anyone know for sure or roughly.

 

[martin2345uk]

Davy17, just out of curiosity where is it you work now? Company and location (if you don't mind me asking) and also what's on your SOL form would concern you into thinking you may not making the sift? Again not being nosey just inquisitive!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jul 2022 ==

I find it strange how once you are both traction and route competent you then wait 12 hours for the full salary... Also as mentioned previous that they are not going to Glasgow from December.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jul 2022 ==

Say if 30 apply, how many will be sifted and make it to interview? Anyone know for sure or roughly.

To be fair 12 hours isn’t that long

 

[Yfg132]

To be fair 12 hours isn’t that long

Haha

 

[Davy17]

They’ll ask you some rules questions out of a batch. I think it’s 10.

No problem - cheers

SOL is dependant, they do a risk assessment on each individual.

Ahh ok good to know

You’ll be in derby for the classroom part of the voyager training, the practical side will be done at your Home Depot.

Duration in Derby dependent on anything specific or is it a standard week?
Would i be correct in assuming Voyager training would include 220/21 as well as HSTs

EJRA is employee justified retirement age. XC have an agreement that once you reach state retirement age you have to retire.

Is this a new concept or been in a while with XC - never known this in any other TOC?

Davy17, just out of curiosity where is it you work now? Company and location (if you don't mind me asking) and also what's on your SOL form would concern you into thinking you may not making the sift? Again not being nosey just inquisitive!

Ill DM you lol

I find it strange how once you are both traction and route competent you then wait 12 months for the full salary.

Cant imaging Traction/routes taking a long period of time then

Also as mentioned previous that they are not going to Glasgow from December.

Any ideas on which TOC maybe taking over that route - didnt LNER originally run to Glasgow when it was GNER
/National Express - Will they also loose that work or replaced with another route or more Ncls ect?

Say if 30 apply, how many will be sifted and make it to interview? Anyone know for sure or roughly.

I suppose that depends on numbers required for both Edinburgh/Newcastle - would also be interesting to know your point?

 

[Efini92]

Duration in Derby dependent on anything specific or is it a standard week?
Would i be correct in assuming Voyager training would include 220/21 as well as HSTs

You should do your initial company training there, but since covid it’s been done at the Home Depot. HST course is also done at derby, I’m not sure if you’d do it at the same time. I heard of one recently learning HST’s before voyagers.

Is this a new concept or been in a while with XC - never known this in any other TOC?

It’s been in a couple of years now. XC and Avanti have it, I’m not sure which other tocs (if any) have it.

 

[Davy17]

You should do your initial company training there, but since covid it’s been done at the Home Depot. HST course is also done at derby, I’m not sure if you’d do it at the same time. I heard of one recently learning HST’s before voyagers.

No problem - So XC do all there main training in Derby then?

It’s been in a couple of years now. XC and Avanti have it, I’m not sure which other tocs (if any) have it.

Cheers

 

[Driver068]

I've recently applied for a Qualified Train Driver position. Wonder if anyone has applied and heard anything in return. Vacancy closed beginning of Aug so maybe a little soon for correspondence. Also how quick or slow is recruitment within XC at the moment.

Cheers in advance.

 

[Yfg132]

For which depot, Newcastle or Edinburgh? I believe interviews have been done for Newcastle.