Trainee Train Driver - Virgin Trains East Coast

[Choochoodriver]

No it wasn't.

I'm fairly certain the recruitment team went through them one by one that's why it took a while.

I do feel for them having to read through 15,500 cv's and cover letters tbh!

 

[156484]

I'm fairly certain the recruitment team went through them one by one that's why it took a while.

I do feel for them having to read through 15,500 cv's and cover letters tbh!

That's exactly what they done.

 

[Davidson4301]

Has anyone had any feed back from assessment centres yet?

 

[Norman365]

Has anyone had any feed back from assessment centres yet?

I was told it will take 2-3 weeks

 

[SkinnyDave]

They said that they have medicals mid December booked in, If you are one of Qualifieds I am not sure if it will be a case of not heard this week then it is a no go!
Second guessing of course

 

[Mike Tyson]

Just wondering if, by booking in people for medicals, its means they have the job? I hope I'm wrong but surely they can't start accepting people for jobs before they've assessed all the candidates as this would put a lot of people such as myself at a huge disadvantage.

 

[SkinnyDave]

Just wondering if, by booking in people for medicals, its means they have the job? I hope I'm wrong but surely they can't start accepting people for jobs before they've assessed all the candidates as this would put a lot of people such as myself at a huge disadvantage.

Yes it would
You would get a conditional offer pending medical results! A lot of Qualifieds have 6 months notice to give.

They also have Psychometric Dates booked for shortlisted candidates from Assessments. I would be suprised if they kept candidates at last weeks Assesment am session hanging around until end of January before advising them. Will not happen

 

[Norman365]

Yes it would
You would get a conditional offer pending medical results! A lot of Qualifieds have 6 months notice to give.

They also have Psychometric Dates booked for shortlisted candidates from Assessments. I would be suprised if they kept candidates at last weeks Assesment am session hanging around until end of January before advising them. Will not happen

I would imagine qualified drivers would have the upper hand anyway. Less training cost.

 

[Mike Tyson]

I would imagine qualified drivers would have the upper hand anyway. Less training cost.

I assumed that since the azuma trains don't roll out until 2018 that the training would be the same length for everyone. Hence it wouldn't matter if the candidate is qualified or not as the training will be the same either way.

 

[SkinnyDave]

I assumed that since the azuma trains don't roll out until 2018 that the training would be the same length for everyone. Hence it wouldn't matter if the candidate is qualified or not as the training will be the same either way.

Can see where you are coming from but Qualifieds will get training on 91s and HSTs until 800 and 801s are rolled out.
They said on our assessment day the would envisage a Qualified being productive 3-6 months after starting

 

[Gemz91]

I assumed that since the azuma trains don't roll out until 2018 that the training would be the same length for everyone. Hence it wouldn't matter if the candidate is qualified or not as the training will be the same either way.

Qualified drivers will only need to be traction trained I would imagine, where as un-qualified drivers will need to be trained on rules too which takes several weeks

 

[SkinnyDave]

Great Western HST conversion was 3 week course, not sure what 91 course would be for Qualifieds?

Still, as has been said earlier most of these vacancies will be taken up by Trainees, they want new blood in as well and obviously have budget to train them up!

 

[156484]

I assumed that since the azuma trains don't roll out until 2018 that the training would be the same length for everyone. Hence it wouldn't matter if the candidate is qualified or not as the training will be the same either way.

What on earth would make you think trainee and qualified training would be the same length of time.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Great Western HST conversion was 3 week course, not sure what 91 course would be for Qualifieds?

Still, as has been said earlier most of these vacancies will be taken up by Trainees, they want new blood in as well and obviously have budget to train them up!

3 week 91. 1 week HST.

 

[boom boom]

I had 4 weeks for 91s and similar for HSTs. That was back in mists of GNER times . What we heard was that trainees won't touch 91s or HSTs. Zoomer trains only. Qualifieds will learn 91s and HSTs

 

[Mike Tyson]

What on earth would make you think trainee and qualified training would be the same length of time.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


3 week 91. 1 week HST.

Ok calm down, it was just a simple assumption.

 

[JohnFM]

Ok calm down, it was just a simple assumption.

That's the problem, Tyson, assuming, with absolutely no experience to base that assumption on is called 'guessing'.

If you think about it rationally you'd see that a qualified person only needs a conversion course. A trainee is starting from scratch.

 

[Davidson4301]

As a non qualified can someone answer a few queries ?
By class 91's do you mean the old intercity 225?
And is hst the 125? I thought hst just meant high speed trains ??
Also why would qualified drivers be getting trained on both and new drivers on the Azuma trains only ?

 

[SkinnyDave]

As a non qualified can someone answer a few queries ?
By class 91's do you mean the old intercity 225?
And is hst the 125? I thought hst just meant high speed trains ??
Also why would qualified drivers be getting trained on both and new drivers on the Azuma trains only ?

Yes to both of your first ?

Because a Qualified Driver could be productive within a few months-Trainees it will be a year or so before you are ready to take a train into service.
Therefore Qualified Guys and Gals will need trained on current traction as well as new trains.

 

[Davidson4301]

Yes to both of your first ?

Because a Qualified Driver could be productive within a few months-Trainees it will be a year or so before you are ready to take a train into service.
Therefore Qualified Guys and Gals will need trained on current traction as well as new trains.

Ah yeah I understand that but I mean why is that happening ? I thought the whole recruitment process was for the roll out of Azuma trains only. I didn't realise they needed drivers before that aswell. I really really hope I get selected after the assessment day. Fingers crossed. It's not until January though !
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Well this threads gone a bit flat recently !

 

[SkinnyDave]

Ah yeah I understand that but I mean why is that happening ? I thought the whole recruitment process was for the roll out of Azuma trains only. I didn't realise they needed drivers before that aswell. I really really hope I get selected after the assessment day. Fingers crossed. It's not until January though !
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Well this threads gone a bit flat recently !

Wait until people start getting emails from last weeks Assessment days then it will explode into life again!

 

[pyjm]

Got my results today, didn't meet Virgin enhanced standard, but passed the national standard.

Can anyone shed any light on what use it is when applying for other trainee roles?

 

[Ewie13]

Got my results today, didn't meet Virgin enhanced standard, but passed the national standard.

Can anyone shed any light on what use it is when applying for other trainee roles?

When did you take your assessment?

 

[pyjm]

When did you take your assessment?

Last week in Crewe. Would like to know how close I was to their standard, but they don't reveal.

Does passing at national standard at Virgin's assessment have any purpose?

 

[SkinnyDave]

Last week in Crewe. Would like to know how close I was to their standard, but they don't reveal.

Does passing at national standard at Virgin's assessment have any purpose?

Was this for VTEC or the West Coast Apprentice Driver?

 

[pyjm]

Was this for VTEC or the West Coast Apprentice Driver?

West Coast, I believe. It specified living within an hour of Manchester or Liverpool.

 

[SkinnyDave]

West Coast, I believe. It specified living within an hour of Manchester or Liverpool.

Ah ok, there is a thread on VTWC I think further down. I would contact the individual TOCs you are interested in and ask what their Psychometric pass requirements are. I think TPE also ask for enhanced passes..

 

[pyjm]

Ah ok, there is a thread on VTWC I think further down. I would contact the individual TOCs you are interested in and ask what their Psychometric pass requirements are. I think TPE also ask for enhanced passes..

I've just noticed the trainee driver role for Arriva London, so how does having recently taken the tests affect future applications since there's no opportunity to mention them in the online application forms?

 

[SkinnyDave]

I've just noticed the trainee driver role for Arriva London, so how does having recently taken the tests affect future applications since there's no opportunity to mention them in the online application forms?

Not sure, I would apply and try and contact them seperatley

 

[pyjm]

Not sure, I would apply and try and contact them seperatley

Will give it a go. Cheers.

 

[Norman365]

Has anyone heard anything back from the assessments on the 29th Nov?