Apprentice Train Driver - Crosscountry - Multiple Locations (09/02/2021)

[SJN]

Thanks @Potato185 good luck with the rest of the training etc. Where will you be based once you have qualified? I am really hoping they will take into account my enhanced passes and MMI as part of this recruitment.

Hi. I’m on the same course and I had all enhanced passes from elsewhere taken the year before I applied. They just check your results with the OPC.

 

[PickleTree]

Hi. I’m on the same course and I had all enhanced passes from elsewhere taken the year before I applied. They just check your results with the OPC.

Thanks @SJN and @Potato185 fingers crossed I even get through the sift then and that I can go straight to DMI. Glad it is going well for you both. I have been waiting for just as long with a FOC so happy to be patient.

 

[Lumpa6259]

Can I ask those who have submitted an application a question? Has anyone else who filled in the application had problems with it skipping past sections straight to “apply” ? And do I need to attach my references as well ?

 

[Davidh1998]

Can I ask those who have submitted an application a question? Has anyone else who filled in the application had problems with it skipping past sections straight to “apply” ? And do I need to attach my references as well ?

Yes did it to me and the same for everyone I think. I've attached references, I'd assume it's best to

 

[PickleTree]

Yes did it to me and the same for everyone I think. I've attached references, I'd assume it's best to

I haven’t attached any references but you can upload documents at any time so I will do a reference document tomorrow. The application process was a little bit frustrating but got there in the end.

 

[Emilali]

DMI first, then I went to Watford to do my MMI which was missed off my assessments, then medical! All over the course of a very long time. Thanks Covid...

Well in Elton

 

[Efini92]

Closer to 75k now i know a driver and his mate is a driver at Cross country

I wish it was. It’s £65k

 

[TheAnswer89]

You guys mentioned T&Cs of TOCs as a big factor. GWR or XC? Whos betyter?

 

[route101]

I take it you state your preferred location, in my case Edinburgh. Or just leave for all locations?

 

[Efini92]

You guys mentioned T&Cs of TOCs as a big factor. GWR or XC? Whos betyter?

It’s hard to say unless you’ve worked for both. All TOC’s have good and bad T&C’s

 

[PickleTree]

I take it you state your preferred location, in my case Edinburgh. Or just leave for all locations?

You don’t get the chance to select location as part of the initial application it will state Manchester but they said they will allocate by depot when they have a better idea of numbers. I spoke to HR about this exact thing.

 

[Lumpa6259]

Thanks guys.. yeah I wondered if I could upload the references after as you can still upload the docs. Problem I seem to have is that because I’ve applied for the XC vacancies and the Grand Central, my cover letter references the vacancies with Grand Central so I’m going to re-do it and save a neutral version. I presume this will be ok?

 

[Ollielooe]

When people are saying they have attached a reference, is this a reference (written statement) off an employer or colleague or a contact list for whom the TOC can contact. Answers would be much appreciated.

 

[YingYing]

When people are saying they have attached a reference, is this a reference (written statement) off an employer or colleague or a contact list for whom the TOC can contact. Answers would be much appreciated.

I've always taken it to mean a contact list.

 

[TheAnswer89]

It’s hard to say unless you’ve worked for both. All TOC’s have good and bad T&C’s

Anything bad in particular about XC and GWR?

 

[Efini92]

Anything bad in particular about XC and GWR?

The thing that puts me off GWR is the HSS stuff is separate.

 

[irish_rail]

The thing that puts me off GWR is the HSS stuff is separate.

Wouldn't worry too much about that as HSS are gradually going to give up the good stuff to the newer GWR drivers. Indeed Exeter GWR drivers now do the B and H to Reading and it wont stop there trust me.

 

[route101]

You don’t get the chance to select location as part of the initial application it will state Manchester but they said they will allocate by depot when they have a better idea of numbers. I spoke to HR about this exact thing.

I have stated location on my cover letter.

 

[mrredrunner100]

Once you’re in you’re in mate, you don’t need to apply again. They only call it an apprenticeship because they get it part funded by the government.

ok nice, thats good to know, don't want to leave my current job (LU) if there's not going to be anything at the end of it, of course providing i pass the training.

One last thing, whats XC's annual leave like?

 

[JH9]

Thanks guys.. yeah I wondered if I could upload the references after as you can still upload the docs. Problem I seem to have is that because I’ve applied for the XC vacancies and the Grand Central, my cover letter references the vacancies with Grand Central so I’m going to re-do it and save a neutral version. I presume this will be ok?

I would also be interested in peoples opinions on this. I currently have two cover letters uploaded, with 'CrossCountry' and 'Grand Central' in the title, but as the online system sets one as 'preferred document' I'm hoping having two won't count against you. As in I am hoping both recruitment teams can see their intended document and not just the 'preferred' one.

 

[Chuchu]

I would also be interested in peoples opinions on this. I currently have two cover letters uploaded, with 'CrossCountry' and 'Grand Central' in the title, but as the online system sets one as 'preferred document' I'm hoping having two won't count against you. As in I am hoping both recruitment teams can see their intended document and not just the 'preferred' one.

I am in the same situation as you, having uploaded both. Hope it won't bother them

 

[Stigy]

Deleted

 

[BrokenSam]

I am in the same situation as you, having uploaded both. Hope it won't bother them

I just made the coving letter as universal as I could.

 

[TrainTracks]

As a more general point, can you just keep updating the documents? It seems the documents are sort of ‘generic’ to the whole site and the application bit for the apprentice driver is specific.

 

[JH9]

As a more general point, can you just keep updating the documents? It seems the documents are sort of ‘generic’ to the whole site and the application bit for the apprentice driver is specific.

Thats definitely the impression I got. When I applied for the second role I re-uploaded the CV/references incase it wasn't general, but it created duplicates on my profile. So I would say you can just update the ones on your profile and they will just look at those

 

[PickleTree]

What is the general consensus, I haven't uploaded a covering letter but I have uploaded a CV is it the done thing to include both?

 

[route101]

What is the general consensus, I haven't uploaded a covering letter but I have uploaded a CV is it the done thing to include both?

I have made up cover letter. I haven't submitted my app yet.

 

[Stigy]

It’s always good to have a cover letter and CV. CVs generally only show a snapshot of your career so far and because they should be at most, two sides of A4, for a long and varied career this is often not nearly enough to sell yourself. With a Cover Letter you can tailor it to why you’re suited to a specific job. I have/had one I used for all jobs I applied for, but just be careful with copy/paste if doing this.

 

[PickleTree]

It’s always good to have a cover letter and CV. CVs generally only show a snapshot of your career so far and because they should be at most, two sides of A4, for a long and varied career this is often not nearly enough to sell yourself. With a Cover Letter you can tailor it to why you’re suited to a specific job. I have/had one I used for all jobs I applied for, but just be careful with copy/paste if doing this.

Cheers @Stigy I will get one done and uploaded.

 

[Obkernow]

Can anyone explain the start dates and booking annual leave please? May the 17th course, starts 2nd august for one week and 2 weeks in October? Will these courses be familiarisations and introductions?