Newbie looking to take the drivers course

[eglwysman]

Hi All,

Stumbled across this forum and really hope someone can help me. I'm from South Wales and looking to get in the Rail industry, My father and Uncle are both long term Train Drivers and have always stated about getting on. The problem I have as apply for various roles I am not making it past the sifting process, I have thought if I am able to take the drivers course and pass that I market myself a lot better to potential rail employers plus I am also willing to relocate for opportunity.

I have purchased DVD's on the drivers assessment and have a lot of material to practice but what I can find is a contact for the centre to arrange a test and wondered if someone can point me in the right direction. I have read a few of the stories on here and look forward to reading more and adding my own progress at the same time.

Many Thanks All

 

[Danastle1992]

You can't take the drivers course off your own back as far as I'm aware, you have to do it through a TOC, as for the assessment centre I have heard someone on here say somewhere along the line that you can take the actual psychometric tests but unfortunately I wouldn't know where to tell you to start to be honest, all I know is that the tests are done by the opc, I'm sure a quick Google search on them will bring up some info.

Hope this helps,
Dan

 

[scott118]

haven't your relatives explained the recruitment process prior?

 

[455driver]

If you fill in the application form with the same sort of grammar mistakes as the opening post, I can see why you are not getting through the initial sift.

Spelling and punctuation are also really important when filling in application forms.

 

[Fred Dinenage]

DB Schenker offer the assessments privately, the email contact is
[email protected].

Alternatively by post :

Lisa Heyes
Assessment Officer (part time Tues, Weds & Thurs)
DB Schenker Rail (UK)
Assessment Centre
Carr Hill
Balby
Doncaster
DN4 8DE

 

[Nic nic]

If you can't get though the initial hr application sift having phsyc test passes will not help. What you are missing is relevant work/life experience either that or you are not demonstrating it clear enough on your CV/application. Phsyc tests are around £200 with DBS however they are free if you are sent to them by a potential employer. Another thing to note would be that some TOC's/FOC's may demand more tests than what DBS will provide. My advice would be think about what the role of a train driver really is and demonstrate that you can do it, or go and get the experience necessary in order for you to be able to demonstrate it. Without that you will not get anywhere. (Sorry if it sounded harsh but that is the reality)

 

[plastictaffy]

DB Schenker in Doncaster do the tests, including the MMI, for the princely sum of 450 squiddies.

 

[eglwysman]

Hi All thanks for the reply I will contact that email address and see what they come back with. I have applied many times to for potential roles within different rail companies with no joy as yet, I have a strong work history of customer service, Sales and working with children. I was informed by my father and uncle that maybe trying to take the drivers assessment privately might stand me better as I have then passed the requirements they would be looking for, I'm mid 30's now and just want to settle into a career for life.

 

[387star]

Hi All thanks for the reply I will contact that email address and see what they come back with. I have applied many times to for potential roles within different rail companies with no joy as yet, I have a strong work history of customer service, Sales and working with children. I was informed by my father and uncle that maybe trying to take the drivers assessment privately might stand me better as I have then passed the requirements they would be looking for, I'm mid 30's now and just want to settle into a career for life.

You won't pass the sift if you don't address your written communication skills

 

[eglwysman]

You won't pass the sift if you don't address your written communication skills

I understand what you saying, The way I have written on a forum here is different to how my application is filled out, Every application I fill out is always reviewed by someone else before I submit it.

 

[scott118]

I understand what you saying, The way I have written on a forum here is different to how my application is filled out, Every application I fill out is always reviewed by someone else before I submit it.

clearly, still not working, if you are not getting beyond, the paper sift...

 

[eglwysman]

I have been in contact and managed to get myself on the Drivers Assessment in September so plenty of time now to revise and get myself ready for that. The problem I then face is hopefully should I pass is getting my foot in the door with a rail company that will consider the pass I have obtained.

 

[irish_rail]

If you can't get though the initial hr application sift having phsyc test passes will not help. What you are missing is relevant work/life experience either that or you are not demonstrating it clear enough on your CV/application. Phsyc tests are around £200 with DBS however they are free if you are sent to them by a potential employer. Another thing to note would be that some TOC's/FOC's may demand more tests than what DBS will provide. My advice would be think about what the role of a train driver really is and demonstrate that you can do it, or go and get the experience necessary in order for you to be able to demonstrate it. Without that you will not get anywhere. (Sorry if it sounded harsh but that is the reality)

Trust me with ATW for example, having already passed the tests will most definitely help get you through the sift. Or it certainly has done in the past anyway, so don't rule it out

 

[455driver]

Trust me with ATW for example, having already passed the tests will most definitely help get you through the sift. Or it certainly has done in the past anyway, so don't rule it out

And others will say it doesn't make any difference.

 

[eglwysman]

ay be spinning my wheels but feel I have to take the assessment and give myself the best possible chance of getting on.

 

[Juniper Driver]

Best of luck mate but why did you want to become a driver?

 

[eglwysman]

Best of luck mate but why did you want to become a driver?

Thanks mate, My father is train driver. I have been involved I.T for many years and have seen my salary go down over the course of the last ten years, I was earning more 10 years ago as a 25 year old than today. I see my father and what he has earned over the years with the benefits of pension etc it is a solid career I feel and I have an opportunity to into that environment and build a career for myself that is my main drive for wanting to do it.

 

[red2005]

Thanks mate, My father is train driver. I have been involved I.T for many years and have seen my salary go down over the course of the last ten years, I was earning more 10 years ago as a 25 year old than today. I see my father and what he has earned over the years with the benefits of pension etc it is a solid career I feel and I have an opportunity to into that environment and build a career for myself that is my main drive for wanting to do it.

bit of advice matey......if you get to an interview stage and they ask you why you wan't to be a driver don't mention about your salary going down and you want more money as that generally works against you. If you were to just use the word security it generally covers the financial side to the job and doesn't make you look like you just want the money.(something they hate)

If you are having trouble getting through a sift etc there are various things you could do to help!.......the libraries have people on board who can assist in writing/reviewing CV's........or you could just nip down to the local college and ask if there is an english lecturer free who you can pull to one side and ask him/her to look over your CV to see if it is grammar perfect?.

i am like you, i write very differently on here to that of an application form.

to be honest i would steer clear of paying for the assessments yourself!.....i can only go on my own experiences but i paid 130 to do it with db back in 2008 and it didn't make any difference whatsoever!...you still have to make it through paper sifts and most of the companies i had spoken to told me that i would have to take extra tests or RESIT the whole process with them as they didn't honour anyone else's assessments. I know a lil bit about ATW myself and i know someone was talking about them earlier, trust me mate it doesn't matter how good your external pass would be, if your application was not up to scratch they'd still bin it instantly!.

yes there are bound to be people that have paid themselves and got through etc but it's still a gamble and i'd still say that the rest of their application had to be on the ball!......and the last few people i'd spoke to who had took this approach told me that once they were through it was still far from a formality as a test pass guarantees you nothing these days. there are plenty of people who passed tests who then sat in talent pools for donkeys only then for there passes to run out or the company to halt the recruitment. And a lot of companies now don't accept borderline passes either.....so if you were to get a borderline pass (which can happen to anybody) you've paid 450 quid but the amount of companies you could arguably use your pass with has halved!.

Also yes you may not have to sit the tests again with a toc if you have already gained a pass with db.....but what if the other applicants THAT DO! have to sit the tests get higher pass marks than you??.......the application and your interview techniques are far more important than an assessment pass that you may have gained. Even if you passed these tests with DB and then applied for a trainee job with DB they'd still expect your application to be top notch pal.

save your 450 buddy, get the application nailed and you'll get through!