Is it worth asking ASLEF for help?
They are your partners best option. Sadly, I don't think they can help. Their primary role would be to ensure that everything was done according to procedure and fair working practice. If there was an issue with how he was treated or if something was carried out incorrectly; then maybe.
Simulator exam comes next and he has had his 2 goes. One 3 weeks ago and one today.
If this is the correct process for SWR then as long as that has been followed and done in a fair way, I don't think the appeal will be successful. My TOC also uses the simulator as part of the final assessment.
The simulator, as has been mentioned, is not a driving test. It is a rules test for out of course situations. This is because there will be scenarios that cannot be replicated on the mainline. Such as, and not limited to, Temporary Block Working, emergency and assistance protection, single line working etc. As this is a rules test, driving isn't required. It is difficult to maintain your rules during your hours but it is always a Drivers responsibility to ensure they are competent at all times, irrespective of how long they have been driving. At my TOC its hard to fail but not unknown. The Assessor tends to help out where they can and prevent someone from going down a rabbit hole. Unfortunately there are cases where people fall down on rules (simulator or otherwise). You need to pass all parts, not just driving.
He had one training and feedback session on the simulator a few Saturdays ago, but that's the only practice he has had on the simulator.
Was that the first fail ? My TOC is not required to give a second attempt. When they do it is because someone has been close to passing or they believe that with a bit of time, there is room to improve and would succeed at a second attempt. Allowances are made for nerves and the pressure Trainees are under and if that was a factor, again, a second go is typically given.
At my TOC we also have to sign to say you are ready for an assessment. This is a little bit of a get out clause for the TOC because the Trainee states they are ready. From an appeal perspective, have a very good look at procedure and company policies. ASLEF can only really help if something has gone wrong. Due to the way that assessments are carried out, there is a lot of evidence as to how and why the Trainee hasn't met the current standards. It can often be very specific and that a very hard line is drawn. As has been mentioned, anything safety related would be a hard line in the sand. A simple thing like "when should you not sound the horn" would be treated differently from "are you allowed to pass this signal at danger" The first could potentially be appealed against, but the second I doubt would be successful.
He needs to sit down with ASLEF, the Ops Manager, his assessor, his Instructor and discuss what his best options for the future are.
All a bit horrible really.
On the face of it yes. It is very upsetting to fail and even more so because of the time and effort that goes in to training. Nobody wants you to fail and there should be enough support to get people through.
I think the good part of railway recruitment is that you do often get offered a second chance and you get offered an alternative if you don't make it. My TOC states quite clearly that if you don't pass, there is no job. To get offered another role can often show that they still want you as an employee.
It's gutting but this job doesn't suit everyone. As I said in another thread. You get failures are every stage. The deeper you go, the worse it feels. Personally I'd rather fail at the training stage than have an incident and fail as a Driver. That could involve losing your job. I would also ask ASLEF and the Ops Manager if there was a possibility to reapply for Driver in a couple of years. It is not unheard of to switch to another TOC and pass there. Rare, but possible.
At this moment in time, ASLEF are your best option. Get as much evidence as possible as to how his training has been going, check procedures and policies, check if there is any precedent that has been set before and also thing about the best option for the future.
Good luck with it all.