Can a driver fast track an applicant for a trainee role...

Answer I think not.... But i have a friend who applied and did not hear back from appication stage.

He is now paying to take the tests privately, i know there is a company that does this but dont really know anyhing about it all...

So basically he knows a driver (I'll leave out specifics) that's has allegedly spoken to his manager who has in turn said if he passes the tests and gets his certificate then he will fast track his application when vacancies arise...

Now I don't believe this scenario but the more he bangs on about it and it winds me up the more doubt sets it...

Anybody have a view?

Ps I am not the friend before anybody asks, I have gone though the recruitment process as most people do and am on the waiting list having passed driver managers interview.

Cheers

I have to say I think it's entirely plausible.

It definitely happens between Qualified drivers joining new companies so I cant see it being beyond the realms of possibility

But this person will still have to sit the structured as well as manager interview. So they are technically jumping the paper sift at the beginning ie shortlisting?

Ok, so not a guaranteed job just a push to the front of the papershift...

So if you pay to do the test do you still not have to do the TOC's enhanced version of the some of the test's? I remember during my process having to do the standard Group Bourdon Test as well as an enhanced version after lunch..

Having passed the tests (a year ago today in fact) I can safely say it has no bearing on the initial application whether internal or external.

Remembering that thousands of people take these tests with TOC's yearly, and on average there is a 40% pass rate, only 5% (if that) of those who passed will be offered a role with X/Y/Z TOC. This means there are a good few thousand people applying for other train driving roles who have passed those tests.

For someone to say to someone else that they'll "fast track" their application sounds rubbish to me. Unless they are the "hiring manager" for that position in the TOC, and even then it's a moral/legal minefield, I'd very much doubt they'd be able to do it.

As already said, it does happen with qualified drivers from time to time so I see no reason why it can't happen.

Note we are not talking about actually getting the job but rather putting ones application at the top of the pile.