Chiltern - Apprentice Train Driver - Marylebone, Stourbridge and Birmingham - Talent Pool (18/02/25)

[applejack]

Just been invited to opc stage 1 today for 22nd. Take it or go back to talent pool offer. Very short notice. Anyone else get this

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 May 2025 ==

In the email it says,
We have attached practice test materials for you to review before the assessment day. It is recommended that you focus on the following tests as it is just these tests that will be used on the day:

• Group Bourdon
• Tea-Occ (Test of Everyday Attention)
• TRP1b (Trainability for Rules and Procedures, Part 1b)
• TRP2 (Trainability for Rules and Procedures, Part 2)

would this be all they assess on or will there be MMI and other test
TIA

 

[baz962]

Just been invited to opc stage 1 today for 22nd. Take it or go back to talent pool offer. Very short notice. Anyone else get this

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 May 2025 ==

In the email it says,
We have attached practice test materials for you to review before the assessment day. It is recommended that you focus on the following tests as it is just these tests that will be used on the day:

• Group Bourdon
• Tea-Occ (Test of Everyday Attention)
• TRP1b (Trainability for Rules and Procedures, Part 1b)
• TRP2 (Trainability for Rules and Procedures, Part 2)

would this be all they assess on or will there be MMI and other test
TIA

It literally says focus on these tests as it is just these , so that's the advice right there. MMI usually on second day .

 

[OneTrackMind]

I would be interested to know why there is all of a sudden a huge rush to try and recruit and deploy drivers at Chiltern - does anybody know what’s gone so wrong? Lots of leavers, lack of recruitment or just an urgent need?

 

[walsh1990]

Just been invited to opc stage 1 today for 22nd. Take it or go back to talent pool offer. Very short notice. Anyone else get this

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 May 2025 ==

In the email it says,
We have attached practice test materials for you to review before the assessment day. It is recommended that you focus on the following tests as it is just these tests that will be used on the day:

• Group Bourdon
• Tea-Occ (Test of Everyday Attention)
• TRP1b (Trainability for Rules and Procedures, Part 1b)
• TRP2 (Trainability for Rules and Procedures, Part 2)

would this be all they assess on or will there be MMI and other test
TIA

I suppose you have to ask yourself is it feasible right now (does it fit in with your timetable etc) How much do you want it? What’s your current job/life situation?

I was offered a date for potential testing and all going well a start on the June course. I declined as I have holidays and festivals booked but I am absolutely kicking myself now as my current job situation has become a lot more stressful and unmanageable. But I know deep down that I couldn’t have committed to those dates. So have a long, hard think. I’m praying daily that I get sent another invitation. Having heard all the stories, I worry that my time has passed and that the talent pool will be pulled or I’ll be waiting months and months etc. Regrets, regrets, regrets. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Good luck in whatever you decide to do. X

P.S. Personally, I would take it. Stage 1 OPC is wonderful to have under your belt and may open the doors to other opportunities with other TOCs if the other dates etc don’t pan out

 

[HeelBurton]

I would be interested to know why there is all of a sudden a huge rush to try and recruit and deploy drivers at Chiltern - does anybody know what’s gone so wrong? Lots of leavers, lack of recruitment or just an urgent need?

Just training needs really. Wouldn’t read into it too much

 

[Domo]

Congratulations and good luck! Which depot?

Birmingham depot!

Rereading the email I quickly realised that they were not about to put me through every single test in the 100 page booklet they sent, so I'm a lot more confident now,

Thanks for all the wishes of luck, all that's left to do is study up and try my best

 

[applejack]

I suppose you have to ask yourself is it feasible right now (does it fit in with your timetable etc) How much do you want it? What’s your current job/life situation?

I was offered a date for potential testing and all going well a start on the June course. I declined as I have holidays and festivals booked but I am absolutely kicking myself now as my current job situation has become a lot more stressful and unmanageable. But I know deep down that I couldn’t have committed to those dates. So have a long, hard think. I’m praying daily that I get sent another invitation. Having heard all the stories, I worry that my time has passed and that the talent pool will be pulled or I’ll be waiting months and months etc. Regrets, regrets, regrets. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Good luck in whatever you decide to do. X

P.S. Personally, I would take it. Stage 1 OPC is wonderful to have under your belt and may open the doors to other opportunities with other TOCs if the other dates etc don’t pan oNot goner be

I suppose you have to ask yourself is it feasible right now (does it fit in with your timetable etc) How much do you want it? What’s your current job/life situation?

I was offered a date for potential testing and all going well a start on the June course. I declined as I have holidays and festivals booked but I am absolutely kicking myself now as my current job situation has become a lot more stressful and unmanageable. But I know deep down that I couldn’t have committed to those dates. So have a long, hard think. I’m praying daily that I get sent another invitation. Having heard all the stories, I worry that my time has passed and that the talent pool will be pulled or I’ll be waiting months and months etc. Regrets, regrets, regrets. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Good luck in whatever you decide to do. X

P.S. Personally, I would take it. Stage 1 OPC is wonderful to have under your belt and may open the doors to other opportunities with other TOCs if the other dates etc don’t pan out

Thanks, I will commit but wont be easy. Hopefully your prayers get answered.

 

[New York Giant]

I know train driver salaries are paid four-weekly but does anybody know the actual date of June's pay day for Chiltern please?

 

[d44nny]

Received my invite to stage 2 opc tests today looking forward to it but a bit nervous for the MMI as not really had any real interviews before as only worked for small companies in the past. Any advice welcomed.

 

[gatters]

I know train driver salaries are paid four-weekly but does anybody know the actual date of June's pay day for Chiltern please?

6th

 

[Unobrow]

Received my invite to stage 2 opc tests today looking forward to it but a bit nervous for the MMI as not really had any real interviews before as only worked for small companies in the past. Any advice welcomed.

Talk about experiences that have happened to you, and are relevant to what they ask from you. You’ll have time to think of a subject for each section. You will be quizzed on each one, which is why I say that have happened to you. Just be honest when you answer their questions, don’t try and embellish it or tell little lies because you think it’s what they’re after, it’ll unravel very quickly. It might get/feel a bit intense at times, but be honest and methodical with your experience. Nothing to worry about, you’re just telling a story.

 

[topfisher]

Received my invite to stage 2 opc tests today looking forward to it but a bit nervous for the MMI as not really had any real interviews before as only worked for small companies in the past. Any advice welcomed.

Hello,
I'm New to the forum....
I had my op stage 1 on 22 May, I thought I wouldn't pass, but thankfully, I passed...
I have my stage 2 assessment in June.
The email says that I have to do the VSE again, supervised...is it the same for you?

Thank you

 

[d44nny]

Talk about experiences that have happened to you, and are relevant to what they ask from you. You’ll have time to think of a subject for each section. You will be quizzed on each one, which is why I say that have happened to you. Just be honest when you answer their questions, don’t try and embellish it or tell little lies because you think it’s what they’re after, it’ll unravel very quickly. It might get/feel a bit intense at times, but be honest and methodical with your experience. Nothing to worry about, you’re just telling a story.

Thank you for your reply. Is it 1 on 1?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 May 2025 ==

Hello,
I'm New to the forum....
I had my op stage 1 on 22 May, I thought I wouldn't pass, but thankfully, I passed...
I have my stage 2 assessment in June.
The email says that I have to do the VSE again, supervised...is it the same for you?

Thank you

Yes same for me with the vse

 

[topfisher]

Thank you for your reply. Is it 1 on 1?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 May 2025 ==


Yes same for me with the vse

Thank you for confirming....I thought it was just me having to repeat the VSE supervised.

 

[walsh1990]

Hello,
I'm New to the forum....
I had my op stage 1 on 22 May, I thought I wouldn't pass, but thankfully, I passed...
I have my stage 2 assessment in June.
The email says that I have to do the VSE again, supervised...is it the same for you?

Thank you

If you don’t mind me asking, how long is it before stage 2? What sort of timescale have you been given?
I’ve got stage one coming up and in the unlikely chance that I pass I’m worried about how quickly stage 2 will come around as I’m away for a lot of July/August

 

[New York Giant]

6th

Brilliant, thank you.

 

[topfisher]

If you don’t mind me asking, how long is it before stage 2? What sort of timescale have you been given?
I’ve got stage one coming up and in the unlikely chance that I pass I’m worried about how quickly stage 2 will come around as I’m away for a lot of July/August

Hi,
I had the stage 1 assessment last week, and stage 2 is due end of June...
I hope this helps

 

[Unobrow]

Thank you for your reply. Is it 1 on 1?

Yes. At least it was when I did it. You’re taken to a separate room to do it.

 

[walsh1990]

Hi,
I had the stage 1 assessment last week, and stage 2 is due end of June...
I hope this helps

Thank you. Seems like a decent amount of time.