Avanti West Coast Trainee Train Driver Euston and Wolverhampton

[Octopus28]

I previously took the VSE for freightliner at home and failed it ... it definately does count ..same as if you attend an assessment centre ...

this is just the standard SJE type questions at this stage ... just completed it so yes it is still live if you can find it!!!

The SJT/SJE is the worst!! Hate doing them every time haha!

 

[Red1980]

I’ve been training since last July so know exactly what you need to take in....unless Avanti has some sort of elite driver training program?

£40k for a trainee driver is unheard of (Assuming it’s accurate)....most start on the mid-twenties. I thought mine was relatively high (£28.5k ish), although admittedly that’s for the whole of training from start to finish.

Last time I checked there's no 2 driver courses the same and I'm speaking from the point of view of someone who speaks to the last bunch of virgin trainees on a daily basis and having been a trainee once myself for a different TOC.

 

[T-Karmel]

Noooo don’t worry this isn’t one of your 2 chances of the OPC. This is just something OPC have obviously agreed to do with Avanti to sift through candidates.

Thanks! That of course makes sense.
Applied and the message shown was "We're assessing your online questionnaire and we'll be in touch with you again within the next 10 working days.". Okay, good luck everyone!

 

[Octopus28]

Thanks! That of course makes sense.
Applied and the message shown was "We're assessing your online questionnaire and we'll be in touch with you again within the next 10 working days.". Okay, good luck everyone!

Good luck

 

[Stigy]

Last time I checked there's no 2 driver courses the same and I'm speaking from the point of view of someone who speaks to the last bunch of virgin trainees on a daily basis and having been a trainee once myself for a different TOC.

I know all TOCs/FOCs are different in terms of how they train their trainees, but from what I've heard from trainees at other TOCs and how they train their staff, no one TOC or FOC is any more difficult than the next. At the end of the day, all trainee drivers have to be trained in rules and traction which is naturally intense.

 

[ILoveLamp]

You’ve lost me there....are you saying that they start on a trainee salary, then after two weeks go up to £58k?

Yeah I think it was exactly that, as strange as it sounds. it was one of the first jobs I applied for, so I no-doubt made a poor application, and unfortunately never got anywhere with it, but the thread on here I’m sure indicated that due to some union intervention meant they would get full money in next to no time, I’m sure it was 2 weeks in.. I’ll see if I can have a dig through the forum and find it when I have time, but needless to say I was gutted to miss that opportunity! Mind you, I’d be more than happy with any of the positions I’ve applied for of late too, but they are not quite as lucrative. Thankfully my motivation for change is a second career in an area I find interesting and believe I’ll enjoy it unlike what I do currently, financially I’m likely to be worse off whilst training (if I’m lucky to get the chance) and slightly more once qualified.

 

[ILoveLamp]

You’ve lost me there....are you saying that they start on a trainee salary, then after two weeks go up to £58k?

No to all the above comments to my previous post.
After 8 weeks of starting with TPE your probation period ends. You are still a trainee driver until you pass out (usually about a year), but you will be paid the full drivers salary of £58k from 8 weeks after the day you start with TPE as a trainee. You will be paid the full drivers salary as a trainee!
It was agreed this week with TPE as part of the new rest day working agreement.

I think I have attached that message right . I wasn’t far off, 8 weeks from start of training apparently..

 

[whoosh]

TPE is full driver's rate after eight weeks.
This is quite rare - most have a trainee salary, then a 'Post Qualified' salary for a year, sometimes two or staged rises over two years. Others are full rate upon passing out.
The only other instance of full rate whilst undergoing training I can think of is the London Underground - off the top of my head it's 13 weeks, but stand to be corrected on that.

Some companies have had delays affecting people's training, in which in some cases, full pay was backdated by certain amount upon passing out.

 

[StevieH]

TPE is full driver's rate after eight weeks.
This is quite rare - most have a trainee salary, then a 'Post Qualified' salary for a year, sometimes two or staged rises over two years. Others are full rate upon passing out.
The only other instance of full rate whilst undergoing training I can think of is the London Underground - off the top of my head it's 13 weeks, but stand to be corrected on that.

Some companies have had delays affecting people's training, in which in some cases, full pay was backdated by certain amount upon passing out.

View attachment 77046

Wow! Lucky Lucky people

 

[Ken Hughes]

Good evening, for those applicants who succeed at this first online sift, what test comes next? Thanks All

 

[L.j.]

Hi All,

I've just applied last week for the role - Wolverhampton, anyone else applied for wolves?

 

[DRS66421]

No no definitely doesn’t count, I’ve passed my OPC already and it’s nothing like what I’ve just completed. The actual OPC has to be over seen by a someone from OPC so you can’t get help from a partner etc. So wouldn’t worry.

Hi, do you know if the failing the OPC Situational Judgement and OPC Visual Search Exercise goes towards one of your lives or can you take these tests as many times as you like? Many thanks.

 

[New York Giant]

Hi All,

I've just applied last week for the role - Wolverhampton, anyone else applied for wolves?

Applied for Wolverhampton on Friday. Glad I did because it temporarily disappeared off the board. Then discovered that it resurfaced later on. Not sure quite what to make of that. Does that mean they weren't thrilled about the strength in depth so reopened the link to ensure a bit more quality in the group? I expect to hear something tomorrow, 12 hour shift but I'm going to be spending most of it wondering about this application. Good luck anyway

 

[Octopus28]

Hi, do you know if the failing the OPC Situational Judgement and OPC Visual Search Exercise goes towards one of your lives or can you take these tests as many times as you like? Many thanks.

I’ve only ever done the SJE’s and I’ve done them multiple times for different companies and failed over the years! But I did the OPC and passed so don’t worry, the situational judgement exercises are used by companies to sift through candidates and get the cream of the crop your actual drivers OPC can only be done in a set environment with a OPC staff member monitoring you. These do not take a life off you x

 

[Stigy]

Hi, do you know if the failing the OPC Situational Judgement and OPC Visual Search Exercise goes towards one of your lives or can you take these tests as many times as you like? Many thanks.

The Visual Search Exercise does (although different people are tole different things even by OPC...), but the initial SJE doesn't (I say initial, because there's a few throughout the process. The one you take as part of the VSE obviously does count...If memory serves me, I think there is one at that stage?). Bear in mind only TOCs who test to enhanced standards use the VSE, so it only applies if the TOC you go for uses it, so if you fail twice you can still apply to TOCs/FOCs who test to the national standard.

 

[TonyMontana]

Applied for Wolverhampton on Friday. Glad I did because it temporarily disappeared off the board. Then discovered that it resurfaced later on. Not sure quite what to make of that. Does that mean they weren't thrilled about the strength in depth so reopened the link to ensure a bit more quality in the group? I expect to hear something tomorrow, 12 hour shift but I'm going to be spending most of it wondering about this application. Good luck anyway

When the advert reappeared it had slightly changed to include the top line of text which starts please note... and a bottom line of text added Any applications made via the portal will be disregarded.

I guess a lot of people were not reading the job details and applying via the portal

 

[ArchangelA]

Does anyone know if Avanti (train driver) accept anyone who's had laser eye surgery years ago?

 

[iwasyoungonce]

Does anyone know if Avanti (train driver) accept anyone who's had laser eye surgery years ago?

RSSB website will tell you medical conditions/standards etc they accept for train drivers.

 

[ArchangelA]

RSSB website will tell you medical conditions/standards etc they accept for train drivers.

Thank you. I have read that already but it doesn't really clearly state that answer, and I've heard that some companies do, some don't.

 

[Octopus28]

Thank you. I have read that already but it doesn't really clearly state that answer, and I've heard that some companies do, some don't.

Might as well apply and then disclose it if you get to the interview. Most companies are pretty strict though. Same with hearing. Once you’re in the grade you can have laser eye surgery and hearing aids galore but getting into the grade with either of these is definitely more difficult because you then become more of a risk to them.

 

[Stigy]

RSSB website will tell you medical conditions/standards etc they accept for train drivers.

It still varies between TOCs though for things like that I believe.

 

[TTDARL]

ASLEF policy states that ‘corrective’ eye surgery is permitted subject to regular eye checks by a medical eye specialist / optician.

 

[iwasyoungonce]

Thank you. I have read that already but it doesn't really clearly state that answer, and I've heard that some companies do, some don't.

Its under guidance on medical fitness for railway safety critical workers GOGN3655

 

[TheVicLine]

Does anyone know if Avanti (train driver) accept anyone who's had laser eye surgery years ago?

I know other First Group TOCs don't, which isn't really a yes or no answer lol

 

[TTDARL]

One of those grey areas though and is TOC specific. Matters like aftercare, how long ago the procedure was done, the amount of correctiveness achieved, long term issues, correctiveness degradation etcetc are all factors it appears.

 

[iwasyoungonce]

One of those grey areas though and is TOC specific. Matters like aftercare, how long ago the procedure was done, the amount of correctiveness achieved, long term issues, correctiveness degradation etcetc are all factors it appears.

It's also down to the doctors individual opinion on the day he see's you after all its on him the TOC is relying.

 

[baz962]

It's also down to the doctors individual opinion on the day he see's you after all its on him the TOC is relying.

Not so sure about that. I have heard where driver's where told by the doctor that their eyesight was borderline or maybe they needed a new prescription , go to their opticians and get a letter and that's been accepted.

 

[Ana D]

Some people in the hope of guaranteeing a pass mark will put all of the answers based on what they think will pass the test. A lot of people think going safety first with every question will pass them when in fact it won’t. We are all human and have different views and opinions. The test requires total honesty based on your own views and not what you think they want to hear. The test is cleverly designed to decipher answers based on fact and / or fiction by candidates.
Not saying this is what you’ve done to be unsuccessful but worth just noting.

 

[Slinky252]

Hi all , hope you are all well in these strange times. I applied for this and failed it, got the email through to confirm. I’m 49 in July do you think that was factored in to my score at all. Or is this not the case ?

 

[na281093]

Hi all , hope you are all well in these strange times. I applied for this and failed it, got the email through to confirm. I’m 49 in July do you think that was factored in to my score at all. Or is this not the case ?

I doubt it’s anything to do with age mate, 49 isn’t too old to become a driver from what I have seen others say on here and I doubt they’re sitting through people’s applications manually at this stage. Just my guess anyway. Don’t let this stop you applying elsewhere, good luck!