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Chiltern - Apprentice Train Driver - Marylebone, Aylesbury and Birmingham (20/09/24)
- Thread starter SWR_DRIVER
- Start date
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R
RailUK Forums
Thanks everyone for the congratulations!
I haven’t had my medical yet, it’s on the 20th
Same ☹️
Ok great , I'll have to wait and then revise when I can
Magnum21
Member
Hi guys, Can anyone tell certainly if Chiltern's driver tests are National or Enhanced standards ? There is mixed information on all the forums. Some says it is National and some Enhanced. Can anyone who has completed the tests with Chiltern tell me please?
Chiltern uses the VSE which means they use an enhanced standard. Whether that means they use enhanced scores on the tests that make up the national process is anyone's guess, but they do use an enhanced standard.
12LDA28C
Established Member
There is no such thing as an across-the-board 'enhanced' standard.
Enhanced might mean that a higher pass mark is required for some or all of the tests, or that additional tests are required to be taken above the basic suite of OPC tests. Each employer tailors their testing to their own individual requirements. I never really understood why people get so hung up on whether a TOC requires National or Enhanced standard, the important thing is to do your best to pass them.
Chiltern uses the VSE online test as an additional sifting tool prior to sending applicants to the OPC testing centre in person. The VSE was only introduced a couple of years ago.
Yes, but if a candidate has failed the VSE twice, they will not be invited to sit any further assessments because they have already had 2 unsuccessful attempts to Chiltern's enhanced standard
12LDA28C
Established Member
Correct, but they can apply to another operator that does not use the VSE as part of their testing.
Magnum21
Member
Thanks for your reply. The reason why I asked this because I have passed Stage 1 with another TOC at Enhanced standard but one test on National standard. Thats why I wanted to know if I need to complete that one test again with Chiltern if they are enhanced too.
Neatro
Member
If you've passed all the tests to national and passed the VSE you shouldn't have to retake them. Only the ones you fail.
Magnum21
Member
thanks mate. Yeah that was the only confusion. I have passed the VSE now waiting for the OPC dates. I hope I doesn’t have to do them again
12LDA28C
Established Member
Depends which depot you're based at. Where have you applied to?
Thanks. I've applied for Birmingham but not heard anything yet. I read on the forum somewhere that its 35 hours per week. Just wondered if it was over 4 or 5 days.
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Thanks.
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12LDA28C
Established Member
Birmingham effectively work a 5-day week. The only Chiltern depot (currently) that works an average 4-day week is Banbury as they have more rest days built into the roster.
Of course, but see above.
Thanks
Neatro
Member
The assessment thread will have everything you need to know.
Assessments & Medicals discussion
This thread is intended to be used for any forum users to discuss assessments and medicals, including (but not limited to): OPC Assessments Job-specific assessments Practice material for jobs The medical process Questions about what happens at a medical. The link to the test Group Bourdon...
www.railforums.co.uk
If you've been invited you should have also received your assessment pack, which again will have everything you need to know.
Magnum21
Member
Hi, Does anyone know what is the salary of Chiltern Train driver after the pay rise?
Neatro
Member
Salary after passing out is £65,400 but that doesn't include the Sundays you work.
12LDA28C
Established Member
Rostered Sundays would add around £6,000 to that basic figure dependent on Depot and link position.
Evening all. I've heard the roster for Chiltern is 5 earlies then the next week 5 lates and you have to do every other Saturday!
I'm wondering whether the Saturday would be at the end of a week of earlies or lates?
If it was a late Saturday, then that would mean the next Friday is the early so therefore you'd get a decent weekend off.
Friday early, sat/sun off Monday late.
If it was an early Saturday. Then the next Friday would be a late. So not so good of a weekend.
Friday late, sat/sun off and Monday early.
Does anyone know how they structure it?
Thanks
I'm wondering whether the Saturday would be at the end of a week of earlies or lates?
If it was a late Saturday, then that would mean the next Friday is the early so therefore you'd get a decent weekend off.
Friday early, sat/sun off Monday late.
If it was an early Saturday. Then the next Friday would be a late. So not so good of a weekend.
Friday late, sat/sun off and Monday early.
Does anyone know how they structure it?
Thanks
it's not every other Saturday, it's a maximum of 50% of Saturdays so will fall on early and late weeks (and nights depending on depot). you might do 3 Saturdays in a row or just 1 in a 5 week period. all depends on which depot and which link though
12LDA28C
Established Member
It’s not ‘5 earlies then 5 lates’ as the rest day pattern breaks up the working week but you would certainly be alternating between earlies then lates and depending on location you would also be required to do a week of nights every so often. A ‘long weekend’ of rest days of 5 or 6 days off will also feature in the roster every few weeks.
Thanks all
It's Birmingham which I've applied for. I'd heard it was 35 hours. Earlies 1 week and late another.
I didn't realise they did nights aswell?
How would you get 5 or 6 day long weekends?. When it's working 5 days a week. I'd though it was maybe a 4 day weekend at most?
Thanks
It's Birmingham which I've applied for. I'd heard it was 35 hours. Earlies 1 week and late another.
I didn't realise they did nights aswell?
How would you get 5 or 6 day long weekends?. When it's working 5 days a week. I'd though it was maybe a 4 day weekend at most?
Thanks