I'm a little shocked at that. Surely you like your job in the sense that you're a train driver. Most people would love the chance to be one. Most jobs are boring and monotonous
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A career as a train driver
- Thread starter Thornaby
- Start date
I'm a little shocked at that. Surely you like your job in the sense that you're a train driver. Most people would love the chance to be one. Most jobs are boring and monotonous
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Johncleesefan
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- 4 Sep 2013
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Another satisfied soul in his job.
Go for something else and give someone the chance of a job they will enjoy
Hello all...I have my assessments on Wednesday 27th May 2015 for a Depot Driver position....can anyone help with how the day develops and any further info on the tests...please reply if you have done them recently...I just want to know that my four/five hours revision/testing..are the actual correct tests to be doing for the big day...thanks.
Johncleesefan
Member
- Joined
- 4 Sep 2013
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- 729
Stage 1 you got group bourdon, Trp 1 and 2 and tea occ.
Stage 2 is written comms, computer based tests (cant remember all names) and mmi interview. That sound about right to what your revising?
Stage 2 is written comms, computer based tests (cant remember all names) and mmi interview. That sound about right to what your revising?
Johncleesefan.
Thanks for the reply. I have been revising/taking tests in:
1) Group Bourdon Tests (one sheet every minute, for 5 mins).
2) Finding the TEA-Occ hard to prep for.
3) Been doing some Mechanical Comprehension tests.
4) Have been doing some TRP tests.
4) Gathering TOC info and answers to potential questions.
5) Doing observation Tests: such as, looking at a picture for a second and then chossing from a multiple choice what I have just seen.
Hi...I have been practising the Group Bourdon Tests via paper (five tests at a time but I only give myself a minute for each paper) and online...I seem to be getting at least halfway down a sheet when doing the paper based test, however, when I do the Bourdon tests via the laptop I only seem to be completing five or six rows in a minute at maximum.
I am also doing the Bourdon test whilst listening to a Audio recording of someone speaking. I try and count how many times they say a specific word whilst also trying to find the dots....its more difficult than what it sounds!!...I believe this test is resembles the TEA-Occ.
I have been doing a few mechanical comprehension tests, not sure if I need to though.
I have also done a TRP test, the booklet I was sent has one example in it. Need to find sme more I reckon. I have been doing some memory tests by studying a picture for a second and then answering multiple choice. For example, looking at a picture of some cyclist on a road, the question might be 'how many cyclists?'...'how many red cars?'....or..'what colour is the lead cyclist top?'....
It's a way of sifting out the very high amount of applicants, by far the most difficult part to pass bar the sift is the interviews. See a post above here where someone is requesting practice material and there is your answer and the answer to why so many fail the interviews these days.
I could pass all the tests with ease as I have tried them and passed easily I have been driving for 15 years.
I couldn't vouch for other drivers though.
The interviews are not difficult but most now fail on interview where they never used to.
A lot harder than it used to be
life is harsh unfortunately!......but as harsh as these tests are etc it is so worth it when you get through!
they are designed to be passed by anyone whether you work for the railway already or are joining off the street so if you prepare properly like someone has already mentioned you've nothing to worry about, you've just gotta hope then that you shine more than the other applicants as let's face it it's a competition at the end of the day.
it is harder to get in these days.....(even since i joined 8 years ago) but that's simply down to the numbers applying in my opinion........i am new to the role of driver but was applying since i got into the industry years ago so have taken every type of assessment you can imagine but i'd definitely say the ones in place at the moment are by far the most straight forward and i'd actually say more relevant to the role........i think most old hand drivers would pass these in comparison to the old ones.
like i said earlier it is a harsh process but you could have more passengers on your trains in a day than the average A380!......you can't just have anyone sitting up front......and there are times when the job is VERY harsh but still very rewarding so the process has to be harsh.
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I start my driver training soon.
My primary concern before and at the very initial stages of application , was that I was at an extreme disadvantage when competing against those whom may already be employed within the industry. Rest assured that each stage of application grants enough scope to draw on the attributes the TOC seek, regardless of the applicants background .
In my written application ( accepting my initial concerns), I made double sure I was grammatically correct etc and paid particular attention to the format of my personal statement .
I knew the volume of applications to the TOC would be huge and much of them better than mine. To make mine stand out, It had to be less generic; everybody would explain how they're good team players etc, so I practically listed the attributes they listed in their job description and complemented each one with an example of how I matched that requirement with my experience or outlook.
The practice material they sent prior to my assessment day was more than adequate , it was obvious at each stage that having years of experience in the industry made no difference., you can draw a circle around clusters of four dots or you can't.
I made sure my application was sent within a day of the vacancy being advertised. The thinking behind this was it would show efficiency and also demonstrate I could submit administration ( see the drivers remit) accurately and ahead of schedule.
In summary, don't be too general with application / interview answers, look what the role requirements are and match your answers to that. Don't digress or be superfluous.
My primary concern before and at the very initial stages of application , was that I was at an extreme disadvantage when competing against those whom may already be employed within the industry. Rest assured that each stage of application grants enough scope to draw on the attributes the TOC seek, regardless of the applicants background .
In my written application ( accepting my initial concerns), I made double sure I was grammatically correct etc and paid particular attention to the format of my personal statement .
I knew the volume of applications to the TOC would be huge and much of them better than mine. To make mine stand out, It had to be less generic; everybody would explain how they're good team players etc, so I practically listed the attributes they listed in their job description and complemented each one with an example of how I matched that requirement with my experience or outlook.
The practice material they sent prior to my assessment day was more than adequate , it was obvious at each stage that having years of experience in the industry made no difference., you can draw a circle around clusters of four dots or you can't.
I made sure my application was sent within a day of the vacancy being advertised. The thinking behind this was it would show efficiency and also demonstrate I could submit administration ( see the drivers remit) accurately and ahead of schedule.
In summary, don't be too general with application / interview answers, look what the role requirements are and match your answers to that. Don't digress or be superfluous.
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Sonicstud85
New Member
- Joined
- 3 Jun 2015
- Messages
- 4
I have also just been offered a role as driver and found the process quite easy. I am coming from a banking background so it's a complete career change that I am looking forward to. I have asked my rail company to shed some light on what the training schedule is like but haven't had a response. Do drivers get trained in unsociable hours? How long til I step foot into the cab of a train?
When doing your handling with an instructor you will follow their shift.
There is a wealth of info on this forum regarding training schedules.
Your first week will most likely be induction where they will introduce you to the company, be prepared to stay away from home in a hotel for some of the training depending on where the training school is located in relation to your depot.
This ^^^^^
Superb post.
Enjoy your new career!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
You've misunderstood the purpose of the testing. They are there to ascertain your aptitude for training.
The "old boys" had five years to pick things up. The "new" (post late 1980s) way, requires you to learn intensively, in less than one year. Unsurprisingly, you have to select for aptitude, in order to achieve this.
hillstation
New Member
- Joined
- 30 Jun 2015
- Messages
- 4
Apologies if this has already been answered but is there an upper age limit for becoming a train driver?
Generally speaking a company would want at least 5 productive years from a driver to break even so over 60 would be difficult task to get the role.
hi
the reason the tests are hard are because they are not going to give a £55k job to anyone and the tests are designed to test your train-ability and suitability. the training is 9 months and costs in excess of £100k each person to complete so the only people they want to put on the course are people that are going to pass hence why the tests are done by the OPC as they are testing your mentality etc. like the group bourdon, tests your ability to pick out a specific pattern quickly and effectively which translates into being able to read signs at high speed. ive just gone through all the tests and been offered a job but one of the tests was looking at a screen for 30 mins with a grey square flashing and every time it changed darkness you had to click. now in reality a 5 year old could do this but the point is they are testing your concentration. its hard looking at a white screen for 30 mins
the reason the tests are hard are because they are not going to give a £55k job to anyone and the tests are designed to test your train-ability and suitability. the training is 9 months and costs in excess of £100k each person to complete so the only people they want to put on the course are people that are going to pass hence why the tests are done by the OPC as they are testing your mentality etc. like the group bourdon, tests your ability to pick out a specific pattern quickly and effectively which translates into being able to read signs at high speed. ive just gone through all the tests and been offered a job but one of the tests was looking at a screen for 30 mins with a grey square flashing and every time it changed darkness you had to click. now in reality a 5 year old could do this but the point is they are testing your concentration. its hard looking at a white screen for 30 mins
Driver068
Member
- Joined
- 20 Feb 2014
- Messages
- 632
It is to my understanding that there are a number of companies that offer a Trainee train Driver assessment one day course, most notably How2become. This to help candidates prepare and get a understanding on how assessment days are conducted and what to expect when successful for a number of TOCs/FOCs.
My question is has anyone experienced from these one day assessment courses and if they have any relevant feedback that may benefit any potential candidates wishing to apply for any potential future Trainee Train Driver vacancies. Are these courses worth while attending forgetting about the fees that would have to be paid before attending.
Many thanks in advance for any advice/feedback given.
My question is has anyone experienced from these one day assessment courses and if they have any relevant feedback that may benefit any potential candidates wishing to apply for any potential future Trainee Train Driver vacancies. Are these courses worth while attending forgetting about the fees that would have to be paid before attending.
Many thanks in advance for any advice/feedback given.
Fred Dinenage
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- Joined
- 23 Jul 2013
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- 347
I've not attended one but i've passed the assessments, everything you need to help is on this forum. Save your money would be my advice....even having passed i still didn't get the job. With the downturn in the FOC world, competition will be even higher for any TOC jobs which arise, or i'd expect so. I've pretty much given up on joining the rail industry, it can become an obsession of sorts and disappointment is all too commonplace. Not that my words will have any effect on your quest
Good luck, spend the money on a good night on the peeve, it'll be as useful
Good luck, spend the money on a good night on the peeve, it'll be as useful