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Network Rail Apprenticeships

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desirokma

desirokma

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17 Mar 2011
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Location
Great Barr, Birmingham
erolosman said:
jus got an email from network rail bout my interview part of it says:
"This is just a quick update to let you know that we are currently in the process of obtaining a date for your interview. It will take place sometime between May and July and you will be notified via email regarding all the information you will need to prepare for the interview. We will give you at least a weeks notice but we aim to give you more if possible. Can we ask that you are as flexible as possible to try to accommodate your interview, as logistically, we have a very big job on our hands trying to arrange circa 650 interviews at present!". so 650 people got through to the interviews not bad numbers near enough 1 in 3 people will get accepted after the interview, good luck :)
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Good Luck Erolosman, :) shouldnt have to wait too long now :D
 
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desirokma

desirokma

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Noseymike2010 said:
What happens at the assessment centre? Is there anyway to prepare for them?
Click to expand...


Just prepare for the tests mentioned earlier in the thread
Mechanical comprehension
Mechanical reasoning
Numeracy
Fault finding
Also you will be asked to choose which area you want to specialize in so if still undecided listen closly to what they say
Make sure you got all relevant paper if not you will need to obtain it before the interview if you succeed
:D hope that helps
 
Q

quak_C

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Joined
28 Mar 2011
Messages
60
erolosman said:
jus got an email from network rail bout my interview part of it says:
"This is just a quick update to let you know that we are currently in the process of obtaining a date for your interview. It will take place sometime between May and July and you will be notified via email regarding all the information you will need to prepare for the interview. We will give you at least a weeks notice but we aim to give you more if possible. Can we ask that you are as flexible as possible to try to accommodate your interview, as logistically, we have a very big job on our hands trying to arrange circa 650 interviews at present!". so 650 people got through to the interviews not bad numbers near enough 1 in 3 people will get accepted after the interview, good luck :)
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got that email too
im quite pleased that we all have a 1 in 3 chance of getting in
although if i only get 1 weeks notice it might be hard for me to get the time off of my current job
 
T

TheSlash

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Marwell Zoo
miikey said:
That wont happen. In our contract it states that if there isn't a job at the 'assessed' compentency level, then one will be created for us. So long as we are looking for a job in the mean time.
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I know plenty of ex apprentices who are now Track Operatives {Trackmen} {Plate Layers}
 
Hydro

Hydro

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2,204
miikey said:
That wont happen. In our contract it states that if there isn't a job at the 'assessed' compentency level, then one will be created for us. So long as we are looking for a job in the mean time.
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Expect that part of the contract to be expertly danced around.
 
N

Noseymike2010

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desirokma said:
Just prepare for the tests mentioned earlier in the thread
Mechanical comprehension
Mechanical reasoning
Numeracy
Fault finding
Also you will be asked to choose which area you want to specialize in so if still undecided listen closly to what they say
Make sure you got all relevant paper if not you will need to obtain it before the interview if you succeed
:D hope that helps
Click to expand...

Where do i get hand of the papers. And what papers should I be after?

Have you any examples of the tests mentioned above?

Cheers,

Noseymike2010
 
t o m

t o m

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Joined
7 Feb 2011
Messages
304
Hello

The website NR gave us was for a company called SHL Direct. I haven't got the link to hand, as I'm on my phone, but if you google it will come up. I think you can only practice verbal and numerical reasoning tests on there and not mechanical. There's loads of examples on the internet of these tests, they are all similar.

I know this thread is quite long now but if you read back through there is quite a bit of discussion about the tests.

Best of luck.
 
N

Noseymike2010

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t o m said:
Hello

The website NR gave us was for a company called SHL Direct. I haven't got the link to hand, as I'm on my phone, but if you google it will come up. I think you can only practice verbal and numerical reasoning tests on there and not mechanical. There's loads of examples on the internet of these tests, they are all similar.

I know this thread is quite long now but if you read back through there is quite a bit of discussion about the tests.

Best of luck.
Click to expand...

TOM,

Do NR make you do these in your spare time and also make you go to an assessment centre?
 
t o m

t o m

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304
They don't make you practice them but if you want the best chance of getting the job then it's a good idea. Also if you didn't attend the assessment day then I'm sure that would be the end of your application.

I'm not sure if your assessment day will be the same as it sounds like you are applying for a different scheme. Our interviews take place after the assessment where as you say you have already had yours.
 
N

Noseymike2010

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Do they write to you/call you and let u know if you have an assessment?

Where is the nearest assessment to London?
 
P

Polomark

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3 May 2011
Messages
10
Hello this is my first post after about 2-3 months ago applying to network rail and 1 month ago receiving a invite to assessment day. Briefly scanning the thread I feel really unprepared but basically,

I have an Assesment at the Watford Training Center on the 12th of May

and rather than getting confused reading the whole large topic i was wondering if anyone could give me some honest tips from experience and wanted to know if there was anyone on here that would be there aswell
 
H

hedpe

Member
Joined
3 Nov 2010
Messages
80
Polomark said:
Hello this is my first post after about 2-3 months ago applying to network rail and 1 month ago receiving a invite to assessment day. Briefly scanning the thread I feel really unprepared but basically,

I have an Assesment at the Watford Training Center on the 12th of May

and rather than getting confused reading the whole large topic i was wondering if anyone could give me some honest tips from experience and wanted to know if there was anyone on here that would be there aswell
Click to expand...

Goodluck. I know its obvious but sometimes it is overlooked; ensure you get a good nights sleep and you arrive on time in the morning. If taking public transport, give yourself a generous amount of time to get to the assessment centre. I found it easier to stay in the premier inn which is less than a 10 minute walk from the assessment centre (it is a bit expensive at around £70 a night).

Eat a decent breakfast. Depending on your eating habits you may want to compliment the free lunch they provide by bringing some snacks with you. I didnt eat a lot for breakfast and found some brunch bars helped me get through up to and after lunch.

Remember to double check you have everything they have asked for in the email (Passport, N.I. card, exam certs etc). Additionally i will also put please actually READ the email. Some people didnt even turn up wearing the right clothing!

Dont be afraid to ask questions. It is a bit nerve wracking but everyone is in the same boat. Overall just enjoy the day as a whole and be sure to get the most out of it. Pace yourself through the assessments, it isnt simply about answering all the questions. The group exercise is generally speaking working as a team.

If you want any specific help on any of the assessments i'll be happy to help.

What depot are you applying for?
 
N

Noseymike2010

Member
Joined
26 Apr 2011
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37
Polomark ............. would be great if you could take note of all the types of questions they ask and post them up here.

Are the assessments different for the roles that you apply for. And does everyone have to go through the assessment if they apply for a job with NR?

Nedpe .......... Any help and hints would be gratefully appreciated.

Noseymike2010
 
P

Polomark

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Joined
3 May 2011
Messages
10
Noseymike2010 said:
Polomark ............. would be great if you could take note of all the types of questions they ask and post them up here.

Are the assessments different for the roles that you apply for. And does everyone have to go through the assessment if they apply for a job with NR?

Nedpe .......... Any help and hints would be gratefully appreciated.

Noseymike2010
Click to expand...

Will do its next thursday my one so i will let you know.. Would be great to get a few people on here on fb to have a little instant message chat just to clear things up rather than going on for pages on here! my name is Mark Cranmer and the photo is a white vw golf
 
A

Aliimaytte

New Member
Joined
11 Apr 2011
Messages
3
hedpe said:
Goodluck. I know its obvious but sometimes it is overlooked; ensure you get a good nights sleep and you arrive on time in the morning. If taking public transport, give yourself a generous amount of time to get to the assessment centre. I found it easier to stay in the premier inn which is less than a 10 minute walk from the assessment centre (it is a bit expensive at around £70 a night).

Eat a decent breakfast. Depending on your eating habits you may want to compliment the free lunch they provide by bringing some snacks with you. I didnt eat a lot for breakfast and found some brunch bars helped me get through up to and after lunch.

Remember to double check you have everything they have asked for in the email (Passport, N.I. card, exam certs etc). Additionally i will also put please actually READ the email. Some people didnt even turn up wearing the right clothing!

Dont be afraid to ask questions. It is a bit nerve wracking but everyone is in the same boat. Overall just enjoy the day as a whole and be sure to get the most out of it. Pace yourself through the assessments, it isnt simply about answering all the questions. The group exercise is generally speaking working as a team.

If you want any specific help on any of the assessments i'll be happy to help.

What depot are you applying for?
Click to expand...

National rail will actually pay for your whole train fare, hotel AND food if you email them about it, they've given me a double room in a premier inn for the assessment day on the 19th at Watford, anyone else going then?

I'm still a little confused about the dress code though when they say "smart casual" as to me that means a nice shirt, jeans and shoes but they don't want denim =S
 
N

Noseymike2010

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Joined
26 Apr 2011
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37
Guys take note of the type of questions you get asked and let us know what they are like. Even copies of the types of exams would be great :)
 
J

Jallow88

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9 May 2011
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Hi guys!

I'm just wondering if any1 knows of any unusual company based questions that are likely to be asked in the Interview? I still don't have a date yet but would like to be well prepared for any tricky questions that will leave me babbling rubbish! ;p

From what I can remember of the Assessment, there was a very relaxed atmosphere. They try not to put too much pressure on you and genuinely want you to enjoy the experience.
I didn't manage to finish any of the exams in time but have still been invited for a final interview. This leads me to think that the exams are based on attention to detail and getting the ones you answer right as apposed to finishing the test with only half marks. So even if you answer 10 out of 30 make sure as best you can that their correct.

I remember the Numerical test was very basic, no way near as hard as the Shl exams they get you to practise. You get a calculator to use but u really shouldn't need it!

In the verbal test you just had to read the text given and answer questions related to it.

The fault finding and mechanical comprehension tests were a little harder. I struggled a bit with these. Make sure you read and understand the instructions to the Fault finding before you start. The tutor should explain them though!
The mechanical comprehension is a case of common sense but it is hard to judge on a piece of paper. It has a lot to do with Weight, force, pulleys, levers etc.

Hope this helps!!! ;p
 
L

luke_westmids

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Joined
9 May 2011
Messages
6
Jamdogg,

congrats, did u get a email or text message regarding ur interview? Also where did u apply for?

Luke
 
J

Jallow88

New Member
Joined
9 May 2011
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4
You can't really practice the fault finding exam as there are no example questions on the Shl website. The Fault finding exam isn't too hard once you understand the instructions but in my opinion, it is more difficult than the maths and english tests.

But if you Google Mechanical Comprehension Tests it should give you an idea of the sort of things they ask you.

Like I said it's all to do with Logic!
 
T

The Informer

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344
Location
Roy's Rolls Cafe
Hydro said:
I'd say enthusiasm to learn new skills would be a good starter, with an eye on developing a successful career. The selection days are quite big on problem solving and team work, showing you can think well under pressure and stay calm and collected helps a great deal. They're looking for someone who can eventually sit there at 0400 in the morning in the p*ssing rain, in charge of a team of rapidly demoralised blokes in a time critical T3 that's falling apart and approaching hand back time, and can organise a plan of action to get that track reopened to a safe standard on time - with everyone going home with all limbs attached and organs working. Safety is a massive part of the railway, and showing you have due consideration for the safety of yourself and others is a huge plus.
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Seems to be the norm that!!!
And if that aint your cuppa then you might just end up like one of those demorolised blokes with their brain in neutral....and sadly enough, there are too many!!
 
A

Aliimaytte

New Member
Joined
11 Apr 2011
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Hey guys, just got to Watford for the assessment tomorrow and was wondering if anyone else is here to say hi or something. :D
 
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