A career as a train driver

[jnemz]

Good evening all, i wonder if someone can help me,

About a month ago i came across a (free) online resource for practicing the TEA OCC test. It wasn't a paper test but an actual downloadable program to practice both stages of the test. But I've tried to find it again this week but can't locate it for the life of me!

Does anyone have a link for what i'm talking about? I'd be really grateful for some practice before my assessment day!

 

[Kobir]

When I had my stage 1 and 2 assessments (was with C2C) it had tests like crossing out 4 dots in a row with other dots, 2 hand coordination so moving a dot on screen through a maze with little times going off track, seeing images for a few seconds and answer what you saw.

The stage 1 I passed with no practice. Stage 2 you may have a multi modial interview which is little like the stage 3 driver interview where they ask you about a time where you did this or showed this.

I thankfully got my contract as a trainee mainline driver and will be starting in September. I found also for the driver interview to research about the company and values.

Hi Zain,
Applied for C2C trainee drivers position, while I wait to hear back from them. Can you advise me if there anything I can look into now in preparation for Stage 1 and 2 assessment?
Looking to change career for IT to Train driver.
So any advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

[munchiflipflop]

Hi all, In my first year of sixth form currently working towards my A-Levels. I’m looking to pursue a career involving train driving whether it’s freight or passenger. Having looked at forums online and such it seems like an impossible task which is quite disheartening. Is it really so hard to get to the position? I am based in Poole and nearest main activity depot is southampton/eastleigh.
Was thinking to do a level 3 apprenticeship in train driving at Exeter College but it looks as though the no longer offer the course.

 

[Stigy]

Hi all, In my first year of sixth form currently working towards my A-Levels. I’m looking to pursue a career involving train driving whether it’s freight or passenger. Having looked at forums online and such it seems like an impossible task which is quite disheartening. Is it really so hard to get to the position? I am based in Poole and nearest main activity depot is southampton/eastleigh.
Was thinking to do a level 3 apprenticeship in train driving at Exeter College but it looks as though the no longer offer the course.

The problem with train driver apprenticeships are that they’re generally only undertaken as part of a recruitment process with a TOC/FOC. There are ways in (The Train Driver Academy being one, but you’re not guaranteed a job at the end of the course). This is why (in my opinion) the apprenticeship is just a gimmick and a cheap way for TOCs/FOCs to train drivers (it’s like an apprenticeship in retail….what’s the point? Once you’re a train driver you’re qualified and licences, the apprenticeship qualification means nothing).

The best way in is probably to get a foot in the door with another role with an operator and gain some frontline experience. You’re only young so have time on your side. Good luck!

 

[12LDA28C]

Hi all, In my first year of sixth form currently working towards my A-Levels. I’m looking to pursue a career involving train driving whether it’s freight or passenger. Having looked at forums online and such it seems like an impossible task which is quite disheartening. Is it really so hard to get to the position? I am based in Poole and nearest main activity depot is southampton/eastleigh.
Was thinking to do a level 3 apprenticeship in train driving at Exeter College but it looks as though the no longer offer the course.

I have no idea what a Level 3 apprenticeship in Train Driving would involve but I'm pretty sure it would provide you with zero benefit if you were to actually get a driver's job and you would have wasted your time.

The trouble is that so-called 'apprentice train driver' positions are hugely over-subscribed, and as @Stigy said, it's not really an 'apprenticeship' anyway - you're just a trainee driver but by including some basic maths and english tuition and calling it an 'apprenticeship' the employer can claim money off the Government for running an 'Apprenticeship Scheme', thereby recouping some of the huge cost of training each driver.

May I ask why you want to be a train driver?

 

[AverageJoe]

Hi all, In my first year of sixth form currently working towards my A-Levels. I’m looking to pursue a career involving train driving whether it’s freight or passenger. Having looked at forums online and such it seems like an impossible task which is quite disheartening. Is it really so hard to get to the position? I am based in Poole and nearest main activity depot is southampton/eastleigh.
Was thinking to do a level 3 apprenticeship in train driving at Exeter College but it looks as though the no longer offer the course.

As said above the apprenticeship has no actual benefit for the job (I’ve had to do it with my toc) all it does it allow the toc to claim back some money.

So if you were to do it privately then it would mean that the toc can’t get you to do it again and can’t get that money back.

So there would be less incentive for them to employ you when there would be hundreds of other applicants who haven’t done the apprenticeship.

In all honesty the apprenticeship is a nonsense that runs along side the actual train driver training.

 

[AndySV1K]

Hi all, In my first year of sixth form currently working towards my A-Levels. I’m looking to pursue a career involving train driving whether it’s freight or passenger. Having looked at forums online and such it seems like an impossible task which is quite disheartening. Is it really so hard to get to the position? I am based in Poole and nearest main activity depot is southampton/eastleigh.
Was thinking to do a level 3 apprenticeship in train driving at Exeter College but it looks as though the no longer offer the course.

Try not to feel too disheartened about it, it’s a sought after job but think of that as a good thing, as if/when you make it, it will be really worthwhile and you could have a career for life.
It is highly competitive to get in as a driver but I managed it on my first try with absolutely no railway background, so if you’re the right sort of candidate then you’ll make it too. You’re doing the right thing by reading this forum as it has so much useful information and it helped me massively during the recruitment phase.

 

[Unobrow]

Hi Zain,
Applied for C2C trainee drivers position, while I wait to hear back from them. Can you advise me if there anything I can look into now in preparation for Stage 1 and 2 assessment?
Looking to change career for IT to Train driver.
So any advice will be greatly appreciated.

If you’re successful in progressing to that stage, you’ll be sent practice materials of the tests to expect. The practice isn’t quite the same as the actual test, but gives a good understanding of what to expect. I personally found the Bourdon test the hardest and spent a lot of time practising it. I found a couple of other tests very easy compared to others. It all depends on you.

Worry about it (and then ask for advise) if you're lucky enough to get that far. You usually have a decent amount of time to research and practice.

 

[nolypops83]

Hi all, In my first year of sixth form currently working towards my A-Levels. I’m looking to pursue a career involving train driving whether it’s freight or passenger. Having looked at forums online and such it seems like an impossible task which is quite disheartening. Is it really so hard to get to the position? I am based in Poole and nearest main activity depot is southampton/eastleigh.
Was thinking to do a level 3 apprenticeship in train driving at Exeter College but it looks as though the no longer offer the course.

It's a long, hard application process which many of us are currently trying to navigate which takes a good deal of tenacity and a huge amount of luck it seems. There isn't a magic formula. The good thing is that you have plenty of time on your side. It would be a good idea to have a plan B in place just in case you don't pass the psychometric tests. Is there another role in the industry you'd consider in case train driving isn't for you? What A levels are you doing?

 

[Spider1806]

Hi All, Can anyone quote me the application process with Trainee Driver for WMT

Application, then SJT, then?

 

[crt-crt]

Hi All, Can anyone quote me the application process with Trainee Driver for WMT

Application, then SJT, then?

Video interview, OPC assessments then DMI.

 

[Spider1806]

Video interview, OPC assessments then DMI.

Ok cool what’s the video interview about? Any advice on how it works? What they ask etc?

 

[PenpontMonsoon]

I applied for the LNER trainee driver position earlier this year and was lucky enough to get to the psychometric testing.
Although I met the national standard, unfortunately I didn't hit the enhanced standard required for LNER. The good news is next time I can go straight to the test centre and just complete the two tests that are required.

I am just wondering how many people have been in this situation and have successfully went on to become train drivers?
I am desperate to try again when the 6 month is up/jobs come out, but terrified that I don't hit the mark and looking for any tips!

Also curious about the next stages after that and what they would be? Including tips for the interview after the tests?

Any advice would be great!
Thank you.

 

[AverageJoe]

I applied for the LNER trainee driver position earlier this year and was lucky enough to get to the psychometric testing.
Although I met the national standard, unfortunately I didn't hit the enhanced standard required for LNER. The good news is next time I can go straight to the test centre and just complete the two tests that are required.

I am just wondering how many people have been in this situation and have successfully went on to become train drivers?
I am desperate to try again when the 6 month is up/jobs come out, but terrified that I don't hit the mark and looking for any tips!

Also curious about the next stages after that and what they would be? Including tips for the interview after the tests?

Any advice would be great!
Thank you.

Many have failed the first time and passed the second.

Also many have passed the first time and been stuck in talent pools that then eventually seemed to dissolve and when I new recruitment drive started they didn’t get past the initial application.

You are still in a good position because you can either apply to a toc/foc with a national only standard or as you say wait and try to resit the failed ones with LNER.

As regards help for tests then this forum is full of that if you use the search function.

I’m always wary to suggest about asking for too much info on the interviews as the questions you are asked aren’t guaranteed to be the same as the last guy.

 

[nolypops83]

I applied for the LNER trainee driver position earlier this year and was lucky enough to get to the psychometric testing.
Although I met the national standard, unfortunately I didn't hit the enhanced standard required for LNER. The good news is next time I can go straight to the test centre and just complete the two tests that are required.

I am just wondering how many people have been in this situation and have successfully went on to become train drivers?
I am desperate to try again when the 6 month is up/jobs come out, but terrified that I don't hit the mark and looking for any tips!

Also curious about the next stages after that and what they would be? Including tips for the interview after the tests?

Any advice would be great!
Thank you.

I'm in the same boat as you but for Northern. Have been applying since failing my first attempt at the psychometrics last year (darn it!) and been rejected twice now at the initial sift stage. It's frustrating, but I'm remaining optimistic I can do it again. Maybe we should start our own support thread?

Edit - I already had a DMI as at Northern they do that first. The Managers I had were really great, made it very relaxed and we had a good chat about the job and I made it clear with my answers that I'd done my homework and really though about what the role entails. Obviously it will be different at other TOCs but I think the point of the DMI is to get to know you as a person. They asked me competency based questions which I had prepared some answers for in advanced based on the non technical skills like dealing with a difficult customer, conveying difficult information, how you would cope in an emergency etc. I just used the scenarios I thought best fit the question, but adapted on the fly if I wanted to highlight something specific by going into more detail (use the STAR technique). They want people who have prepared well by knowing the expectations for the role and the company, look presentable, can communicate well, stay calm under pressure and be confident. All things you would need to be as a trainee driver. It was no different to any interview I've had for any desk based job really. It was less stressful than applying to work at DWP!

 

[Dragon77]

I have just passed the application process and scaat test for. Trainee train driver and have been invited to an assessment centre.
I know someone who has also applied for the same role, they too completed the scaat test but have just had another email asking to complete the raat test and scaat test again? Does anyone know why they have been asked to do the scaat again and then the raat?

What can I expect on the day at the assessment centre?

Thanks!

 

[Ducatichick]

I have just passed the application process and scaat test for. Trainee train driver and have been invited to an assessment centre.
I know someone who has also applied for the same role, they too completed the scaat test but have just had another email asking to complete the raat test and scaat test again? Does anyone know why they have been asked to do the scaat again and then the raat?

What can I expect on the day at the assessment centre?

Thanks!

Sorry I can’t answer your question but I just wanted to say congrats. What company are you applying with?

I’ve just completed the mini SCAAT and waiting to hear back whether I’m progressing or not and trying desperately not to chew all my nails off while I wait. Learning an awful lot about the many facets of the application process.

 

[Dragon77]

Sorry I can’t answer your question but I just wanted to say congrats. What company are you applying with?

I’ve just completed the mini SCAAT and waiting to hear back whether I’m progressing or not and trying desperately not to chew all my nails off while I wait. Learning an awful lot about the many facets of the application process.

I have applied for Barnham. Where have you applied for? They like to keep you waiting don't they! Have you been through this process before? I'm a first time applicant

 

[ItsFurbs]

I have just passed the application process and scaat test for. Trainee train driver and have been invited to an assessment centre.
I know someone who has also applied for the same role, they too completed the scaat test but have just had another email asking to complete the raat test and scaat test again? Does anyone know why they have been asked to do the scaat again and then the raat?

What can I expect on the day at the assessment centre?

Thanks!

I've recently been through the assessment centre with GTR and I'm awaiting a managers interview. The preparation booklet is ok but the tests are all slightly different.

I personally didn't get much from the practice tests sent out (but I know others have). You get to practice each test before completing the real ones to confirm your understanding and have the option to ask questions before it begins. Don't stress too much, it's all fairly straightforward.

 

[Dragon77]

I've recently been through the assessment centre with GTR and I'm awaiting a managers interview. The preparation booklet is ok but the tests are all slightly different.

I personally didn't get much from the practice tests sent out (but I know others have). You get to practice each test before completing the real ones to confirm your understanding and have the option to ask questions before it begins. Don't stress too much, it's all fairly straightforward.

Well done on passing the assessments! How did you find it? What tests did you have to do on the day?
What would you say is best to practice for?
I'm wondering how long it takes GTR to send out assessment centre dates from finding out you have passed the miniSCAAT.

Many thanks!

 

[Ducatichick]

I have applied for Barnham. Where have you applied for? They like to keep you waiting don't they! Have you been through this process before? I'm a first time applicant

I’ve applied for Barnham too! Hello fellow candidate From what I’ve heard on here they are after a number of trainees at Barnham.

I’m still waiting to hear back about my miniSCAAT result. I completed it a week ago today. Trying not to bite all my nails down to the cuticle haha.

I’m a first time applicant too and trying to absorb as much of the lingo as possible. This forum has been incredibly helpful.

 

[ItsFurbs]

Well done on passing the assessments! How did you find it? What tests did you have to do on the day?
What would you say is best to practice for?
I'm wondering how long it takes GTR to send out assessment centre dates from finding out you have passed the miniSCAAT.

Many thanks!

Yeah I didn't find them too bad tbh they explain everything in detail and like I said, you have the option to ask questions before tests start. They send you out a really detailed workbook with all the practice examples which you can work through so use that. Like I said, I didn't find the practice all that beneficial. The tests mainly included concentration, attention to detail, logic/fault finding, all of which are hard to replicate. But honestly don't overthink it now. Wait for your results, do the practice and turn up after a good nights sleep. You will be fine.

Yeah the wait for results always took a while and i found I got most communication after 1700 for some reason.

I’ve applied for Barnham too! Hello fellow candidate From what I’ve heard on here they are after a number of trainees at Barnham.

I’m still waiting to hear back about my miniSCAAT result. I completed it a week ago today. Trying not to bite all my nails down to the cuticle haha.

I’m a first time applicant too and trying to absorb as much of the lingo as possible. This forum has been incredibly helpful.

Think positive! I'm sure you will be fine

On the same subject, if anyone has any tips on a managers interview, they would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Dragon77]

Yeah I didn't find them too bad tbh they explain everything in detail and like I said, you have the option to ask questions before tests start. They send you out a really detailed workbook with all the practice examples which you can work through so use that. Like I said, I didn't find the practice all that beneficial. The tests mainly included concentration, attention to detail, logic/fault finding, all of which are hard to replicate. But honestly don't overthink it now. Wait for your results, do the practice and turn up after a good nights sleep. You will be fine.

Yeah the wait for results always took a while and i found I got most communication after 1700 for some reason.


Think positive! I'm sure you will be fine

On the same subject, if anyone has any tips on a managers interview, they would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks @ItsFurbs

I'm fairly new to all this process so any info is amazing!
If you're are successful at the assessment centre tests, do you sit the first interview on that day? (Any interview tips would also be amazing!)
Then if successful on that initial interview then get invited to the MMI?

Thanks

I’ve applied for Barnham too! Hello fellow candidate From what I’ve heard on here they are after a number of trainees at Barnham.

I’m still waiting to hear back about my miniSCAAT result. I completed it a week ago today. Trying not to bite all my nails down to the cuticle haha.

I’m a first time applicant too and trying to absorb as much of the lingo as possible. This forum has been incredibly helpful.

@Ducatichick Yes there's a lot to learn about the recruitment process. If successful I wonder how long the process is from interview to starting the training. It all seems quite drawn out.
Fingers crossed for you and they don't keep you waiting too long!

 

[Ducatichick]

Thanks @ItsFurbs

I'm fairly new to all this process so any info is amazing!
If you're are successful at the assessment centre tests, do you sit the first interview on that day? (Any interview tips would also be amazing!)
Then if successful on that initial interview then get invited to the MMI?

Thanks


Yes there's a lot to learn about the recruitment process. If successful I wonder how long the process is from interview to starting the training. It all seems quite drawn out.
Fingers crossed for you and they don't keep you waiting too long!

Thanks buddy. We might (if I have some good news) get the same assessment day. That would be so cool! I have definitely read all sorts-some people sail through from start to finish (finish being offered and starting a course) and some people are sat in talent pools for years but start reapplying for other roles.

It’s taken me a while to get my head around the two lives rules but I think I’ve got it now

 

[Kay_M]

Hi folks

So after many years of debating with myself I have decided to pursue a career of becoming a train driver. I have done an assessment 5 plus years ago but I didn't pass one of the assessments and as a result I only have one chance left at it. (When this happened I was absolutely gutted and put off applying for those jobs as I didn't want to use up my two chances in quick succession. Now I've seen various folks on here say it's a very good and rewarding job to do but requires a lot of work in which I understand. My question to you lovely folks is would you recommend I wait until I'm fully confident to go for the role or take the risk and apply for whatever advert comes up. I'm based in and around the London area.

 

[AverageJoe]

Hi folks

So after many years of debating with myself I have decided to pursue a career of becoming a train driver. I have done an assessment 5 plus years ago but I didn't pass one of the assessments and as a result I only have one chance left at it. (When this happened I was absolutely gutted and put off applying for those jobs as I didn't want to use up my two chances in quick succession. Now I've seen various folks on here say it's a very good and rewarding job to do but requires a lot of work in which I understand. My question to you lovely folks is would you recommend I wait until I'm fully confident to go for the role or take the risk and apply for whatever advert comes up. I'm based in and around the London area.

I’d say it’s always a risk and going in too confident can be a mistake.

You have as much chance as anyone else so I say go for it. It can be a long process to get in so the sooner the better.

 

[Kay_M]

I’d say it’s always a risk and going in too confident can be a mistake.

You have as much chance as anyone else so I say go for it. It can be a long process to get in so the sooner the better.

Thank you very much for this

 

[Neatro]

Hi folks

So after many years of debating with myself I have decided to pursue a career of becoming a train driver. I have done an assessment 5 plus years ago but I didn't pass one of the assessments and as a result I only have one chance left at it. (When this happened I was absolutely gutted and put off applying for those jobs as I didn't want to use up my two chances in quick succession. Now I've seen various folks on here say it's a very good and rewarding job to do but requires a lot of work in which I understand. My question to you lovely folks is would you recommend I wait until I'm fully confident to go for the role or take the risk and apply for whatever advert comes up. I'm based in and around the London area.

No matter how long you wait, as you've already failed you're always going to risk the chance.

So it's up to you as how much you feel you want to go for the role, I'm in the same boat and I should have started this process years ago instead of putting it off.

 

[dc96]

Hi folks

So after many years of debating with myself I have decided to pursue a career of becoming a train driver. I have done an assessment 5 plus years ago but I didn't pass one of the assessments and as a result I only have one chance left at it. (When this happened I was absolutely gutted and put off applying for those jobs as I didn't want to use up my two chances in quick succession. Now I've seen various folks on here say it's a very good and rewarding job to do but requires a lot of work in which I understand. My question to you lovely folks is would you recommend I wait until I'm fully confident to go for the role or take the risk and apply for whatever advert comes up. I'm based in and around the London area.

Is that online assessment with questions or the tests in person ? (Dot test etc.. )

 

[Kay_M]

Is that online assessment with questions or the tests in person ? (Dot test etc.. )

It was in person and just 1 I didn't pass but as I was putting it off for a while due to the two chance rule I was debating whether to take a risk and do it again after nearly half a decade.