puffpuffgive
Member
The SJT at OPC is not a test, you cannot pass or fail it. Instead it is used to guide additional questions in your MMI. They will explain this on the day.
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Chiltern - Apprentice Train Driver - Marylebone, Stourbridge and Birmingham - Talent Pool (18/02/25)
- Thread starter NSEWonderer
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puffpuffgive
Member
No idea what Chiltern use. But lots of confusion between SJT and SJE. But you are correct about the MMI SJE isn’t a pass/fail
Ridetherails
Member
I was sent SJT practice material for Chiltern
jamespowell05
Member
I’ve been sent SJE for Chiltern
nada… I’ve emailed them hoping to get an update, not received any thus far apart from the application showing OPC stage 1.7 online. Hopefully we’ll hear something after the Easter holidays. I’ve got a theory though…
In the most random turn of events I received an email this morning from the OPC inviting me to Watford on May 1st. Testing split over two days. Then an interview and all going well starting a course in June due to individuals cancelling and them wanting to fill the course. I like so many others here have said I won’t be able as I’ve booked a holiday and have other events.
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crt-crt
Member
What depot did you apply to? People applying to Stourbridge have been told a June course start. Seems strange they’ll lump everyone from each depot onto one course since Marylebone and Stourbridge are very far apart.
Ridetherails
Member
Not really, a friend of mine with a different TOC had a 60mile each way
Commute to their training centre even though they were only 7miles from the depot the position was at.
Does anyone know where Chiltern do their training at?
Marylebone. Haven’t had a VSE link and the fact that the OPC testing is split over two days as opposed to people on this thread for Birmingham and Stourbridge that had mentioned it was all being done in one day. Must’ve had a lot of people not able for the course especially with it coming up to the summer holidays.
New York Giant
Member
Pretty sure that Aylesbury is their training centre. I once read that their might be one in Banbury too, but happy to be corrected if that's false info.
logicaldrinkin
Member
Yeah Aylesbury and Banbury as far as I'm aware. I guess the June course would be in Banbury as it has the most equitable access from the different depots.
Did you get an online link for the VSE then?
crt-crt
Member
Has anyones application been progressed to OPC with confirmed assessment dates for Moor Street Depot?
I did, and my online application in the portal shows OPC stage 1.7. I assume ‘all’ who have passed the VSE are invited to Stage 1 testing. However, I assume the invites are sent from highest scoring candidates to least. Or there’s some kind of filtering process. How did you manage to get an invite to the test centre without sitting the VSE?
TR68
Member
Banbury
And you applied in February?
Well this is what I’ve been saying/thinking- this is the first correspondence I’ve had since putting my application in, in February. I could see through the online portal that I was on OPC 1.7. Not sure what’s happened. Been second guessing myself. I asked other people from Marylebone what stage they were at and the only ones who responded seemed to be people who’d previously sat some of the tests with other TOCS or ones who applied in September 2025 and then were told that was scrapped. So I wasn’t sure what was going on. I just assumed those who were first timers and applied in Feb for Marylebone were in the same boat as me and hadn’t heard anything. All very very confusing. If anyone knows who I should contact please send me the details. I already emailed Chiltern but didn’t hear anything back.
HeelBurton
Member
Courses usually split between Aylesbury and Banbury. Be prepared to travel equally to both. Some out days are based in other locations but with the number of courses going on, other locations can be used at fairly short notice.
When I was based at Waterloo as a driver I did my training based at Basingstoke, occasionally travelling to Fratton for traction and Salisbury for other reasons. It’s the norm at most TOCS to have to commute to a training centre. Banbury being the centre of the network is manageable.