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Avanti West Coast Trainee Train Driver Euston and Wolverhampton

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TB01

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24 Apr 2020
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5
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U,K.
Some people in the hope of guaranteeing a pass mark will put all of the answers based on what they think will pass the test. A lot of people think going safety first with every question will pass them when in fact it won’t. We are all human and have different views and opinions. The test requires total honesty based on your own views and not what you think they want to hear. The test is cleverly designed to decipher answers based on fact and / or fiction by candidates.
Not saying this is what you’ve done to be unsuccessful but worth just noting.
Thanks for the advice! And to 'Octopus 28' too. I have to say - I'm grateful I didn't create a tailored CV and cover letter and then fail the test! For those who said they didn't get a response from OPC, check your junk mail. That's where my email from them went
 

Fancythis

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6 Feb 2020
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40
Location
Stevenage
Yes Mate exactly the same issue. No way round it seems like an issue with the website.
The way I understand it you don't have to be concerned with the 'tell us about you' section. You need to follow the directions on the job advert and apply via the opc website provided mate. Good luck
 

Octopus28

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Joined
12 Sep 2018
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165
They don’t want you to apply via the portal which involves the CV & job/education sections. Bottom of the advert it says how to apply xx
 

Carl98k

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5 Apr 2020
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286
Location
Plymouth
Just applied through the link. Completed the OPC test and was told they will review my answers and get back to me. No confirmation email though.
 

na281093

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Joined
21 Nov 2019
Messages
74
Location
Uk
Just applied through the link. Completed the OPC test and was told they will review my answers and get back to me. No confirmation email though.

Check Spam/Junk folders, I think some have had to end up in there somehow.
 

Jaytrains

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20 Nov 2017
Messages
489
Why’s avanti’s salary so high compared to other tocs? Do they run a special service that no one else does?
 

TTDARL

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23 Mar 2017
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158
It’s not all about the highest salary. The higher the salary, the higher the tax, national insurance etc paid. Quite often, what were good terms and conditions are sold for the sake of a higher salary. Also, work content & a wider movement of hours from spare turns to a running turn etcetc are all consequences of a higher salary. So you have to be fully aware of the ‘terms & conditions’ before being overwhelmed by the higher salary on display.
 

TTDARL

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Joined
23 Mar 2017
Messages
158
Also people moving TOCS doesn't necessarily mean they are leaving a ‘bad’ TOC. Often people leave for a change, to experience high speed, rural, commuter driving, better commute, different routes, different traction, relocating etcetc.
 

Red1980

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Joined
8 Apr 2019
Messages
296
Just seen the starting salary...£40k a year for a trainee ain’t half bad! :)

You wait until you start the training and see what you have to take in!! 40k won't seem a great deal then I assure you lol
 

Stigy

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6 Nov 2009
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4,882
You wait until you start the training and see what you have to take in!! 40k won't seem a great deal then I assure you lol
I’ve been training since last July so know exactly what you need to take in....unless Avanti has some sort of elite driver training program? :)

£40k for a trainee driver is unheard of (Assuming it’s accurate)....most start on the mid-twenties. I thought mine was relatively high (£28.5k ish), although admittedly that’s for the whole of training from start to finish.
 

Jaytrains

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20 Nov 2017
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489
I’ve been training since last July so know exactly what you need to take in....unless Avanti has some sort of elite driver training program? :)

£40k for a trainee driver is unheard of (Assuming it’s accurate)....most start on the mid-twenties. I thought mine was relatively high (£28.5k ish), although admittedly that’s for the whole of training from start to finish.

Exactly what I’m thinking!
 

ILoveLamp

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22 Nov 2019
Messages
215
Location
North Uk
I’ve been training since last July so know exactly what you need to take in....unless Avanti has some sort of elite driver training program? :)

£40k for a trainee driver is unheard of (Assuming it’s accurate)....most start on the mid-twenties. I thought mine was relatively high (£28.5k ish), although admittedly that’s for the whole of training from start to finish.
Wasn’t the recent TPE trainee driver pay up to full pay (£58k) after 2 weeks of starting training? I could be wrong but that’s how it looked..
 

Octopus28

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Joined
12 Sep 2018
Messages
165
Wasn’t the recent TPE trainee driver pay up to full pay (£58k) after 2 weeks of starting training? I could be wrong but that’s how it looked..
No that’s exactly how it is haha! :) But most go on a training wage before going on a PQ rate for 2 years and then the full drivers rate.
 

T-Karmel

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Joined
20 Mar 2010
Messages
395
Location
London
It might seem a stupid question and I assume the answer is "no" but I still feel like I should ask. Failing this application on OPC website doesn't mean you loose one of your 2 chances to pass psychometric tests, does it? It's just so scary since it's on the OPC website :lol:
 

UTV

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Joined
22 Jun 2019
Messages
16
It’s not all about the highest salary. The higher the salary, the higher the tax, national insurance etc paid. Quite often, what were good terms and conditions are sold for the sake of a higher salary. Also, work content & a wider movement of hours from spare turns to a running turn etcetc are all consequences of a higher salary. So you have to be fully aware of the ‘terms & conditions’ before being overwhelmed by the higher salary on display.
Totally agree with this. There movement on Spare turns is something ridiculous like 6 or 8 hours. Means you can’t plan your life so well. Virgin Drivers sold their souls to the company in order to gain the higher wage and thus gave up a lot of the old Ts and Cs. (Source is a Virgin Driver that came over to my old TOC not so long ago because of the above). I doubt nothing has changed now it’s Avanti. But saying all this, what an opportunity, go for it and once you get your key, the world is in your hands. Good luck all.
 

Stigy

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6 Nov 2009
Messages
4,882
Wasn’t the recent TPE trainee driver pay up to full pay (£58k) after 2 weeks of starting training? I could be wrong but that’s how it looked..
You’ve lost me there....are you saying that they start on a trainee salary, then after two weeks go up to £58k?
 

Octopus28

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12 Sep 2018
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165
It might seem a stupid question and I assume the answer is "no" but I still feel like I should ask. Failing this application on OPC website doesn't mean you loose one of your 2 chances to pass psychometric tests, does it? It's just so scary since it's on the OPC website :lol:
Noooo don’t worry this isn’t one of your 2 chances of the OPC. This is just something OPC have obviously agreed to do with Avanti to sift through candidates.
 

Stigy

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6 Nov 2009
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4,882
Noooo don’t worry this isn’t one of your 2 chances of the OPC. This is just something OPC have obviously agreed to do with Avanti to sift through candidates.
Is this the VSE you’re talking a little or another OPC online test? If it’s the former, it’s debatable as to whether it counts. Some say (including sometimes the OPC themselves) that it does count (Only if the TOC uses this as it’s an enhanced only process), some say it doesn’t. I personally don’t see how it does, as it’s done at home and is this not monitored.
 

Octopus28

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Joined
12 Sep 2018
Messages
165
Is this the VSE you’re talking a little or another OPC online test? If it’s the former, it’s debatable as to whether it counts. Some say (including sometimes the OPC themselves) that it does count (Only if the TOC uses this as it’s an enhanced only process), some say it doesn’t. I personally don’t see how it does, as it’s done at home and is this not monitored.
No no definitely doesn’t count, I’ve passed my OPC already and it’s nothing like what I’ve just completed. The actual OPC has to be over seen by a someone from OPC so you can’t get help from a partner etc. So wouldn’t worry.
 

TheGoldfish

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Joined
28 May 2019
Messages
196
Is this the VSE you’re talking a little or another OPC online test? If it’s the former, it’s debatable as to whether it counts. Some say (including sometimes the OPC themselves) that it does count (Only if the TOC uses this as it’s an enhanced only process), some say it doesn’t. I personally don’t see how it does, as it’s done at home and is this not monitored.

I previously took the VSE for freightliner at home and failed it ... it definately does count ..same as if you attend an assessment centre ...

this is just the standard SJE type questions at this stage ... just completed it so yes it is still live if you can find it!!!
 
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