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Couple Trainee Driver Questions.

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bcfc171081

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27 Apr 2021
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Taunton
I see most answers to individual thread are read the sticky thread. But just a quick one. Looking to change career from HGV driver to train driver.

I notice on some they require GCSEs A-C and others they don’t mention it. I only have Ds but I do have NVQ level 3 from my collage days. Is it worth me even applying? Or do the test you = C level.

also I’m from Taunton (5 mins from the station) is it worth applying to others. Is the must live within 1 hour mean to drive or public transport.

thanks in advance

ps, I know Theses are irrelevant until a trainee position actually comes up.
 
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DJP78

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I looked into this recently as only got a D at GCSE maths. Got good grades in all other subjects but just missing my maths.

I’ve retaken my Maths and got an equivalent B in a functional skills course which is recognised by nearly all employers these days.

It’s one of the reasons they’ve changed the marking system to a numerical scale 9-1.

Regarding your NVQ3, it will need to be relevant to the qualification stipulated by the TOC. I.e., you’d need an NVQ3 in maths say, for it to be applicable to your application. They won’t accept just any old NVQ3 as an equivalent qualification.

If you haven’t got an equivalent qualification in Maths / English, which is what most TOCs are looking for, then you’ll need to consider retakes in GCSE or a functional skills course via Learn Direct or similar

Good luck
 

L401CJF

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16 Oct 2019
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1,442
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Wirral
I think a lot of TOCs are switching from "Trainee" jobs to "Apprentice" driver jobs. Which as far as i know is basically the same only I believe they receive funding from the government (??), and have an option to do the functional skills - English maths IT etc as part of the course for those who don't hold suitable qualifications already.

Sure someone else could clarify!
 

bcfc171081

Member
Joined
27 Apr 2021
Messages
170
Location
Taunton
I looked into this recently as only got a D at GCSE maths. Got good grades in all other subjects but just missing my maths.

I’ve retaken my Maths and got an equivalent B in a functional skills course which is recognised by nearly all employers these days.

It’s one of the reasons they’ve changed the marking system to a numerical scale 9-1.

Regarding your NVQ3, it will need to be relevant to the qualification stipulated by the TOC. I.e., you’d need an NVQ3 in maths say, for it to be applicable to your application. They won’t accept just any old NVQ3 as an equivalent qualification.

If you haven’t got an equivalent qualification in Maths / English, which is what most TOCs are looking for, then you’ll need to consider retakes in GCSE or a functional skills course via Learn Direct or similar

Good luck

Thanks for quick reply, I will certainly look into that.
 

DriverEight

Member
Joined
18 Feb 2021
Messages
191
Location
Sunderland
I see most answers to individual thread are read the sticky thread. But just a quick one. Looking to change career from HGV driver to train driver.

I notice on some they require GCSEs A-C and others they don’t mention it. I only have Ds but I do have NVQ level 3 from my collage days. Is it worth me even applying? Or do the test you = C level.

also I’m from Taunton (5 mins from the station) is it worth applying to others. Is the must live within 1 hour mean to drive or public transport.

thanks in advance

ps, I know Theses are irrelevant until a trainee position actually comes up.
The travel time to the depot are for cars usually. Due to the start and finish times, they often ask you how you would get to work without using public transport, so if you don't drive put 'taxi'
 

bcfc171081

Member
Joined
27 Apr 2021
Messages
170
Location
Taunton
Hi, thanks for reply. Yes I do drive. Ok that opens up where I can apply a little. Think Bristol would be pushing it a bit but certainly Exeter the other would be ok.
 

TheGoldfish

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Joined
28 May 2019
Messages
196
I think a lot of TOCs are switching from "Trainee" jobs to "Apprentice" driver jobs. Which as far as i know is basically the same only I believe they receive funding from the government (??), and have an option to do the functional skills - English maths IT etc as part of the course for those who don't hold suitable qualifications already.

Sure someone else could clarify!
This is correct from my understanding although I don’t think it’s an option as such ... if you cannot produce the evidence they require of your qualifications .then you’ll have to do the functional skills stuff
 

L401CJF

Established Member
Joined
16 Oct 2019
Messages
1,442
Location
Wirral
This is correct from my understanding although I don’t think it’s an option as such ... if you cannot produce the evidence they require of your qualifications .then you’ll have to do the functional skills stuff
That's what I meant, thanks for clarifying
 

S-Car-Go

Member
Joined
19 Mar 2019
Messages
222
For some TOCs, and taken from experience in my training, the functional skills (maths, English, ICT) are compulsory as part of the apprenticeship programme. If you have the equivalent GCSEs A-C certificates in those subjects, you are exempt from that part of the course.
 
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