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Southeastern - Trainee Driver - All Depots (03/06/24)
- Thread starter Az87
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R
RailUK Forums
Hi. I applied for Dover on 13th July and passed the initial sift and M7SJT in September. I got the update email just keeping us in the loop in October, which was the last contact. I imagine they are working through the assessments right now.
As for practice material, this is what I have done so far to try and prepare for the assessments:
- Download and use the Group Bourdon tool from this forum to do the GB and SCAAT tests, both computer based and printed.
- Read through the forums as much as possible as I'm sure you've been doing. In particular, the Train Driver and Assessment stickies.
- I haven't sat an interview for many, many years, so I bought a couple of train driver interview skills books from eBay to try and brush up on my skills. They will include example questions that may come up - both for the MMI and DMI - and I have written them out, with my answers to each question which allowed me time to really think about examples and to practice with my partner.
- I didn't want to get the entire suite of assessment software/books from How2Become, as I had already progressed past the initial sift and M7SJT stage, so not all of it was relevant. However, you can subscribe to the online software for a monthly fee. I found I only needed one month to complete all of the practice examples on there several times, so it actually worked out reasonably economical.
- Apart from that, do plenty of research into Southeastern as a company, it's history and it's future plans (obviously that means Government control going forward under OLR and GBR in the future).
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Ezeekiiiel
New Member
Anyone now if it takes longer to get a spot at the Ramsgate depot rather than say, Faversham/Gillingham etc? Passed my assessments in June & there was spaces for courses for other depos that start in the new year but not ramsgate. Maybe worth swapping so I can get my foot in the door?
joeknight02
Member
Hi guys!
Just had an email inviting me to my DMI. Nervous but excited! I applied to ashford but said tonbridge was also OK as im the same distance from both depots. The interview is being held in tonbridge. is it the same case as the assessment day where all recruitment is done in tonbridge? I was under the impression the DMI would be with a manager at your chosen depot or am I mistaken? thanks!
Just had an email inviting me to my DMI. Nervous but excited! I applied to ashford but said tonbridge was also OK as im the same distance from both depots. The interview is being held in tonbridge. is it the same case as the assessment day where all recruitment is done in tonbridge? I was under the impression the DMI would be with a manager at your chosen depot or am I mistaken? thanks!
I’m pretty sure where your invited to is where your based. Mine was anyway.
Hi mate!
That’s okay no problem, still no contract yet! But they told me I could hand my notice in to my current employer as it’s all 100% just finishing up on January offers first!
As for training centre it is Orpington they confirmed to me starting the 24th, you are right it’s not about your location it’s just which centre is hosting that course as such! As I’m only 40 mins from Ashford so would be a result! But Orpington 2 hrs on a train!
Looks like we will be on the same course
Just waiting on this damn contract now! Haha @Bug2023
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topbloke123
Member
Have my DMI coming up for Southeastern, anyone had one recently and have any advice? What questions can I expect- is it generic interview questions like what do you know about the company, Why do you want to be a train driver, tell me about a time..
One thing I see mentioned is knowing about the rolling stock and traction types, struggling to find info on that plus not sure what I should know, don't want to sound like a textbook in an interview. Thanks
One thing I see mentioned is knowing about the rolling stock and traction types, struggling to find info on that plus not sure what I should know, don't want to sound like a textbook in an interview. Thanks
Hi All
I have my assessment coming up in January. Have 2 questions and would be grateful if anyone could help
Will the assessment day just be tests only (computer & written) or am I to expect some sort of interview too?
RE the Bourdon Group Test
I can finish 11 -12 rows ea sheet but am still getting 2 or 3 mistakes overall at the end of the test, mostly omissions
Would that be acceptable? Or should I try for less rows and aim for zero mistakes?
It would be good if I could hear of anyone's pass marks as I am really worrying about this one!
Thanks
I have my assessment coming up in January. Have 2 questions and would be grateful if anyone could help
Will the assessment day just be tests only (computer & written) or am I to expect some sort of interview too?
RE the Bourdon Group Test
I can finish 11 -12 rows ea sheet but am still getting 2 or 3 mistakes overall at the end of the test, mostly omissions
Would that be acceptable? Or should I try for less rows and aim for zero mistakes?
It would be good if I could hear of anyone's pass marks as I am really worrying about this one!
Thanks
asrut10
Member
Slow down abit mate and try for 0 mistakes, I was getting between 9 - 11 lines with no mistakes in practice and passed in the assessment but like already said we don’t get results.
Good luck
Hi mate when did you do your assessment? I done mine early December and have had confirmation that I passed and been placed in the pool for chosen depot. Just wondering how long it takes to get the DMI?
joeknight02
Member
Mid november i had my assessment day. got an email saying i had passed but not about a tallent pool etc, just saying you will be progressed to the next stage. got the email for the interview 20th december exactly 5 weeks after the assessment
asrut10
Member
Thanks for the reply and all the best mate
joeknight02
Member
no worries!
I’m pretty sure where your invited to is where your based. Mine was anyway.
Hi mate!
That’s okay no problem, still no contract yet! But they told me I could hand my notice in to my current employer as it’s all 100% just finishing up on January offers first!
As for training centre it is Orpington they confirmed to me starting the 24th, you are right it’s not about your location it’s just which centre is hosting that course as such! As I’m only 40 mins from Ashford so would be a result! But Orpington 2 hrs on a train!
Looks like we will be on the same course
Just waiting on this damn contract now! Haha @Bug2023
Hi!
Just remembered to pop on here and see if you had been on. Any news on your contract yet? I’ve had mine sent over to me by email today now, so hoping you will have had yours too as it seems we are the same start date.
I would have preferred Ashford too as I’m only a 30 min drive from there but about 1 hr 30 mins on the train. They didn’t confirm in the email about where the induction or the course would be for me but it certainly sounds like we are both going to be on the same one at Orpington going by our start dates then.
U
Yep got mine yesterday morning and signed with all onboarding materials yesterday!
Mine also didn’t have a location in so fingers crossed it’s been changed! But I was told it’s Orpington!
Yeah it’s 24th induction isn’t it! How exciting!
morning!
Yep got mine yesterday morning and signed with all onboarding materials yesterday!
Mine also didn’t have a location in so fingers crossed it’s been changed! But I was told it’s Orpington!
Yeah it’s 24th induction isn’t it! How exciting!
asrut10
Member
Hi, after your assessment how long did you wait to receive your DMI? Do you have any information about the DMI?
I have been told that i've been placed in the pool for my local depot.
It varies depending on space at your depot, and courses available. I done my assessment in april and had my DMI in October
asrut10
Member
Hi how did your assessment go?
Do you know what they are looking for regarding routes in the DMI?
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Fantastic news, pleased to hear you have received yours too! We are finally on the home stretch now at least.
Hopefully we don’t have to wait too long to find out locations for the induction & training so we can be figure out travel.
I’m excited but so nervous about getting started now! Part of me feels like I should be doing more to prepare for it, but I’ve read many posts from people saying not to as you risk learning incorrect things and having to relearn during Rules & Regs.
Hey, I saw you sent me a direct message - have replied to you on there as it was quite a long reply!
Yes not long to go now! Almost doesn’t feel real!
I’d imagine once referencing is completed they’d give us abit more information hopefully,
Also did your contract say training is only 24 weeks also on average? As that’s a lot shorter then I thought, or is that just classroom you reckon?. As seems abit long for classroom.
I know exactly what you mean but the way I’m treating it as I’m going to go in completely fresh and with no research done as like you said I don’t want to learn the wrong things. As long as we commit ourselves to learning, we should have no problems!
Yes, my contract also said training is 24 weeks on average. I’m not really sure what that relates to as the previous paperwork I had been sent stated classroom is 50 days and overall the whole training is approximately 12 months.
Definitely think that’s the right way to look at it, go in fresh and just make sure we commit ourselves. I’m so used to trying to be prepared and doing research etc that it’s going to be strange walking into something without having done so, especially when it’s starting with a lot of intense learning.
The classroom stuff is intense and boring. The fun begins during traction and during your handing hours. But the most important thing is your driving and route knowledge. You'll be suprised how rules are seen as the most important part of train driving during the classroom stuff but once your with your instructor and getting prepared for your final part the most important thing is the driving and route knowledge.
Obviously not saying rules ain't important but what's the point in your rules behind 100% but your route knowledge is lacking or your driving ain't great
Obviously not saying rules ain't important but what's the point in your rules behind 100% but your route knowledge is lacking or your driving ain't great
Grvrdvicdr
Member
How peculiar, I think it’s 24 weeks the whole thing? That’s mad but we’ll see won’t we! That’s the same as me I was going off of the previous paperwork!
Yeah, hundred percent that’s what we will do! At least I now know of someone that will be on the same course we can always help each other out! Names Olly btw
Grvrdvicdr
Member
Be 12-18 months before you’re qualified. 10 weeks or so on rules, 4 weeks or so on traction and then 8 or so months doing your train handling and route learning. But train handling and routes is all dependant on the avalibility of instructors which is why some take longerHow peculiar, I think it’s 24 weeks the whole thing? That’s mad but we’ll see won’t we! That’s the same as me I was going off of the previous paperwork!
Yeah, hundred percent that’s what we will do! At least I now know of someone that will be on the same course we can always help each other out! Names Olly btw
I don't know anyone who's failed their rules, but I know of people who have failed their final assessment due to poor driving or lack of route knowledge.
Rules are important yeah I agree but as a driver you'd have a list of everything you need to know incase things go wrong. Rules is more or less a memory test but as a driver we would be guided on what to do and we would have a copy with us with the restrictions and speeds etc.
Oh righty I get you, so realistically classroom based stuff is no more then 3/3.5month? Not bad.
I’m regards to their not being an instructor availabile what happens then? You just wait?
Grvrdvicdr
Member
Ive heard of plenty who have failed both rules and their finals because of lack of rule knowledge.
As for second point ive found myself multiple times having to remind people of rules. Such as I declared a failure and signaller asked me to lay protection, but me keeping up with my rules knowledge I knew that you no longer had to lay protection for assistance. So I stand by rules are equally as important
Yeah pretty much, likely Just go out front ending until someone becomes available
Okay brilliant thanks for the information!!