GTR33
Member
Is there anyone still waiting for Newcastle?
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LNER - Apprentice Driver - Kings Cross & Newcastle (05/09/24)
- Thread starter TJ123
- Start date
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R
RailUK Forums
I am mate, I keep checking my emails and this forum for any updates.
charles123
Member
Me to, still haven't heard anything since submitting the video interview apart from a couple of emails telling me my application is still under review and to keep waiting.
I'm applying for King's Cross. Did my Video Interview in October. Been 4 months now so I sent them an e-mail and they've replied saying that they are still reviewing applications so I guess I'm not out of the running yet. I suspect that if they haven't finished reviewing all the applications yet then it possibly could take a few more months. Correct me if I'm wrong.
C2048
Member
Candidates have progressed to assessment centres. Medical slots are currently few and far between. I am informed that the April course is now full and they’re establishing what vacancies can be filled by the July and October courses.
GTR33
Member
ive had an update email. Saying my application is still live
Same mate, hopefully soon. Every email I get from them is anxiety now after the extra long wait…
Yeah same here!
Baz86
Member
For anyone waiting for a DMI, I’ve seen comments, even on this discussion saying it’s just a formality and tick box exercise. This couldn’t be further from the truth. I’ve failed a DMI after passing everything else , including the extensive testing over 3 days, for another driver role, after being told by someone in the industry it was a tick box formality. Study. Show competencies, and have good examples ready. There’s still a point system in place.
I_am_Nobody
Member
I couldn’t agree more. The opportunity is everyone’s to lose right up until the offer is in your inbox. Then it’s just as easy to lose when you’re doing it! Be as prepared as you can be walking into that interview, remember you may be talking to these Driver Managers if something has gone wrong years down the line. They need to see that you can handle this very intensive and highly rewarding role.
Training81
New Member
Good luck to all of you still waiting. I stupidly managed to fail my assessment centre day
GTR33
Member
sorry to hear that! what happened if you dont mind telling us.
Training81
New Member
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
I wasn’t fast enough with my reaction times for the WAFV test. Which feels like a silly thing (on my part) to fail for. I passed everything else that I did, even the things I was worried about so I’m a bit mad at myself. Daft thing is that while I was doing it I kept thinking “I don’t feel like I’m being very fast” but for whatever reason I couldn’t make myself go faster ♀️
Sorry to hear mate, the fact that you’ve done them though means you have a better idea and know how to prepare.
There’s a few of us on here that are still waiting to be updated on our video interviews, yet alone DMI.
Training81
New Member
Tbf not even sure how one goes about improving reaction times. I’ve seen the stuff re “bopits” - I have played them many times before and beat them/get top mark
. Hope you all hear something soon.bellsandbills
Member
Did u ever get a response to this?
C2048
Member
I didn’t. Closest I got was from LNER themselves, confirming their reference requirement is from an applicant’s last two employers. No mention of whether they need those to cover a certain time duration.
Thinking about the network being critical infrastructure, I wondered if there might have been a security vetting requirement of some sort too.
Train driver roles are only eligible for a basic DBS check - no additional vetting required.
I can’t say for Kings Cross, but for Newcastle, I made contact asking if they were able give an update. They said it’s a very timely process, are currently still shortlisting and that my application is still live.
But yeah, imagine it will be a long process trying to go through both Newcastle and (especially) London applicants.
But yeah, imagine it will be a long process trying to go through both Newcastle and (especially) London applicants.
GTR33
Member
Email update.
Thank you for your patience while we complete shortlisting and planning for upcoming Driver vacancies at Newcastle Depot.
At this stage, we are no longer anticipating the uplift in recruitment that was originally expected for Newcastle. As a result, it is unlikely that we will proceed with further interviews or recruitment at this time.
We appreciate that you have been waiting for some time, and as a gesture, we will keep your application live until 29th July 2025, while we finalise our workforce plans for 2025/26.
f there are no changes to the projected recruitment numbers, your application will be closed after this date. We would recommend registering for job alerts on our careers site, as future opportunities may be limited and not advertised for some time.
Thank you for your patience while we complete shortlisting and planning for upcoming Driver vacancies at Newcastle Depot.
At this stage, we are no longer anticipating the uplift in recruitment that was originally expected for Newcastle. As a result, it is unlikely that we will proceed with further interviews or recruitment at this time.
We appreciate that you have been waiting for some time, and as a gesture, we will keep your application live until 29th July 2025, while we finalise our workforce plans for 2025/26.
f there are no changes to the projected recruitment numbers, your application will be closed after this date. We would recommend registering for job alerts on our careers site, as future opportunities may be limited and not advertised for some time.
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charles123
Member
I just got an unfortunately we won't be taking your application further email! Don't know why it took them about 8 months but there's always next time. Good luck to everyone else waiting!
GTR33
Member
Massively frustrated.. was checking my emails everyday for 8 months haha
Italia4945
Member
I get the frustration — I know people who have been waiting too, and it’s definitely not ideal. But just to share a bit of what I’ve picked up along the way…
LNER gets THOUSANDS of applications per depot, and with four depots and only small Driver Team Manager teams at each, they can’t physically interview everyone. They tend to do it in batches maybe 20 to 30 people at a time based on what the business needs at that moment. If the demand for drivers drops then the number of interviews gets cut back too. It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty much the only way they can manage the scale of interest fairly.
Not saying it makes the wait any easier, but I don’t think it’s that they are ignoring people or trying to lead anyone on just genuinely swamped with applications and doing what they can to manage it.
LNER gets THOUSANDS of applications per depot, and with four depots and only small Driver Team Manager teams at each, they can’t physically interview everyone. They tend to do it in batches maybe 20 to 30 people at a time based on what the business needs at that moment. If the demand for drivers drops then the number of interviews gets cut back too. It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty much the only way they can manage the scale of interest fairly.
Not saying it makes the wait any easier, but I don’t think it’s that they are ignoring people or trying to lead anyone on just genuinely swamped with applications and doing what they can to manage it.
The Kings cross email was similar but a little different:
Thank you for your interest in joining LNER and for applying to our Driver Talent Pool earlier this year.
We’re currently reviewing applications and planning ahead for our next recruitment phase, which is likely to support our 2026 intake and we may have more limited numbers than anticipated.
While we won’t be progressing individual applications immediately, please be assured that your application remains under consideration as part of our longer-term planning.
We don’t have any further updates to share at this stage, and we understand your interest, but we kindly ask that you wait to hear from us directly should anything change or as we move forward later in the year.
Thank you again for your patience and continued interest in a driving career with LNER.
Thank you for your interest in joining LNER and for applying to our Driver Talent Pool earlier this year.
We’re currently reviewing applications and planning ahead for our next recruitment phase, which is likely to support our 2026 intake and we may have more limited numbers than anticipated.
While we won’t be progressing individual applications immediately, please be assured that your application remains under consideration as part of our longer-term planning.
We don’t have any further updates to share at this stage, and we understand your interest, but we kindly ask that you wait to hear from us directly should anything change or as we move forward later in the year.
Thank you again for your patience and continued interest in a driving career with LNER.