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Trainee Depot Driver East Midlands Trains
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Dynamonic
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I’m not too sure about this year in particular, but previous years have seen courses run in January, March, July and October/November, so there’s normally about three or four a year, with up to around 10 trainees on each. Obviously, they would vary in dates and intake sizes subject to recruitment needs.
SEASBIGBURY19
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I thought that the MMI’s made up the stage 2 drivers testing?
I’ve already passed both with another TOC so would I need to do it again?
SEASBIGBURY19
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HeyHi there Bagnall, and welcome to the forum.
Have a read through the earlier posts of this thread, and the ‘Becoming a Train Driver’ thread at the top of the page for a great insight into the recruitment process for train driver positions, as they’re largely standardised.
In terms of this process, Stage 1 is comprised of the OPC Train Driver Stage 1 paper tests, which are the Group Bourdon, Trainability for Rules & Procedures (TRP) and the Test of Everyday Attention for Occupational Assessment (TEA-Occ).
Stage 2 is an EMR run assessment day, normally composed of some group exercises and ‘speed’ interviews.
Stage 3 is a competency-based interview with Driver Managers. (Often abbreviated to ‘DMI’)
Stage 4 is the second stage of the OPC assessments, made up of some computerised vigilance and concentration tests, and the Multi-Modal Interview (MMI).
In terms of progression to mainline, EMR recruit internally for ‘Trainee Mainline Drivers’ from their pool of Depot and Service Drivers a few times a year.
Progression to mainline is based on seniority in the Depot Driver role, and whether or not you have been placed on any development plans as a result of any incidents.
On average, it takes about 18 months from passing out as a qualified Depot Driver, to progression onto the mainline, but obviously recruitment needs will vary your own length of wait.
However, the Depot Driver role is extremely valuable in terms of learning the rules, units, faults and failures, and will provide you with some great experiences to take with you when you eventually progress.
I was Just wondering... may be a stupid question! But if you were to be successful at Depot Driver, go through the training, do the job.... Are you then a qualified driver and eligible to apply for Qualified driver roles with other TOCS?
SEASBIGBURY19
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Hey there
I have an assessment day coming up ...
do you recall what kind of things they ask? Or what they’re looking for?
SEASBIGBURY19
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Ah okay, Do you recall what sort of questions they ask in this speed interview?
The normal train driving ones mate, why do you wAnna be a train driver? What can you tell us about the role? Describe a time you’ve worked under pressure? Explain a situation that you....? We got three each and a minute to answer each one. It was quiet enjoyable to be fair. Good luck as well!
SEASBIGBURY19
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Thankyou!!
Just remembered mate, they asked us all what would we change in our current day to day life to fit a safety critical role working unsociable shifts. Can’t remember the exact wording but was along them lines.
Busyboy89 has got it spot on...
Make sure you know how you will deal with shift working, a bit about the company and why you want to be a driver. That sort of thing, but bear in mind that you don't have long to answer, so there's no thinking time.
Good luck!
Make sure you know how you will deal with shift working, a bit about the company and why you want to be a driver. That sort of thing, but bear in mind that you don't have long to answer, so there's no thinking time.
Good luck!
Spankthemonkey
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As EMR monitor this forum i'd be 99% sure the questions will be changed now. Nicely done.
It doesn't matter, at least he has an idea what he is going to face. But if you read my post correctly I said we were all asked three questions, so each person was different and I only gave him my experience to help him out. This forum is for help and advice and pass on information and to help each other out. The questions for interviews (DMIs and MMIs) are scattered all across this website.
Good luck to the chap that going to the assessment day anyway.
severussnape
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Well I would definitely say I'm not on the March course due to not hearing anything. Potentially 2 courses being run later this year. My stage one assessment pass is 2 years old November, not looking good.☹
The fact they are recruiting again for the talent pool hopefully is an indication that they expect a need for trainees in the near future.
2011dandd
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Has anybody in the talent pool watching this thread heard anything about the March course from EMR recruitment?
severussnape
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Which depot have you requested?
I've heard nothing since I got the 'congratulations you're in the talent pool' email back in November, I was only looking at it the other day and at the bottom it says that HR would keep in touch every 4-6 weeks. I am considering sending them a short email reminding them that I'm still here and keen to get going - but on the other hand I don't want appear pushy and start annoying folk...
I requested Derby.
I requested Derby.
Dynamonic
Member
Well, EMR are now looking internally for a Depot Driver Instructor for Derby on an 11-month secondment. No doubt they'll be needing some Depot Drivers to 'instruct'. 
severussnape
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Already tried that heard nothing back!
severussnape
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That does sound promising.Well, EMR are now looking internally for a Depot Driver Instructor for Derby on an 11-month secondment. No doubt they'll be needing some Depot Drivers to 'instruct'.
Dynamonic
Member
Hi Bagnall,
Your Medical and References come after you have been offered a start date. You’ll also have a Pre-employment meeting with HR, which is where you’ll go through all the official bits and bobs, contracts and have the opportunity to ask questions.
You may also have the opportunity to pop into the training academy prior to starting to meet the trainers and your fellow new starters.
ScumBagCollege
Member
Still waiting for my dates too Sapra, but after reading through this thread they'll probably let us know the day before!!!
Wasn't really getting too nervous for the stage 1, that was until I started reading through the thread again yesterday and seeing people fail at different stages and then thinking how disappointed I'd be if that happens!! So now I kind of nervously excited with a smidge of bricking it thrown in for good measure!
I won't bother then!!
severussnape
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Still worth a try.
Just had an email now to say that as I have passed stage 1 in the last 2 years, straight through to the assessment centre in early March. I sat stage 1 with Freightliner in August 2018 and passed all to enhanced apart from Group Bourdon which i passed to national. Good luck everyone.
ScumBagCollege
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Just had an email too saying that all the courses are now fully booked and that they'll send an invitation for either 9th, 10th or 11th of June when a venue is sorted. Which is very annoying, especially as I have a holiday booked for 10th June.
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