Northern talent pool 2023

[SiTheTrainGuy]

I was waiting just over a week before I got my start date. Did the tests on a Monday, and got my provisional start date for mid-March the following Tuesday. That's for Skipton.

 

[1867Blue]

Varies depending on demand for trainees. You could get a course date within weeks of being in the talent pool, but then you could also spend the entire 9 months in it and get nothing. I'd imagine for somewhere like Leeds you'd be in the door sooner rather than later.

How likely is it that someone would be put in the pool and not be offered a position before the times up? Does it happen often?

I would have thought that people would be put in the pool with the people in charge knowing positions will be coming up.

Not saying it doesn’t happen, but wondered if anyone could clarify how often it happens or how likely

 

[Horseman]

How likely is it that someone would be put in the pool and not be offered a position before the times up? Does it happen often?

I would have thought that people would be put in the pool with the people in charge knowing positions will be coming up.

Not saying it doesn’t happen, but wondered if anyone could clarify how often it happens or how likely

It's hard to say but Leeds is a big depot with presumably a lot more movement so I wouldn't worry too much. I applied for a smaller depot and as with the others who've commented, received the obligatory talent pool email before being given a provisional start date shortly after.

 

[ThePeakNed]

How likely is it that someone would be put in the pool and not be offered a position before the times up? Does it happen often?

I would have thought that people would be put in the pool with the people in charge knowing positions will be coming up.

Not saying it doesn’t happen, but wondered if anyone could clarify how often it happens or how likely

It's happened to a friend of mine.

A lot of it revolves around existing staff leaving the business. If their date for leaving, such as to a new company for example, then that skews it for trainee positions slightly.

Just never know. The internal workings of railway recruitment, irrelevant of TOC, are often a complete mystery to most.

 

[1867Blue]

It's happened to a friend of mine.

A lot of it revolves around existing staff leaving the business. If their date for leaving, such as to a new company for example, then that skews it for trainee positions slightly.

Just never know. The internal workings of railway recruitment, irrelevant of TOC, are often a complete mystery to most.

Yes I’ve noticed.

Wonder why northern only allow you in a talent pool for 9 months. Is that the lowest of all tocs?

 

[ThePeakNed]

Yes I’ve noticed.

Wonder why northern only allow you in a talent pool for 9 months. Is that the lowest of all tocs?

I think it might be to be fair

 

[kieranc97]

I applied in December 2022, passed the interview then placed in a talent pool. Roughly 8 months later received an email inviting me for interview to renew my time in the talent pool, again passed that and placed back in the pool.

I wasn't holding much hope but had an email out of the blue in January inviting me for medical etc and just received a start date of 8th April in Leeds

Hope this helps in terms of timescales. I think it all depends on your station you applied for. I applied for conductor at Doncaster which to my knowledge isn't a very big base when compared to others in the area.

 

[1867Blue]

I applied in December 2022, passed the interview then placed in a talent pool. Roughly 8 months later received an email inviting me for interview to renew my time in the talent pool, again passed that and placed back in the pool.

I wasn't holding much hope but had an email out of the blue in January inviting me for medical etc and just received a start date of 8th April in Leeds

Hope this helps in terms of timescales. I think it all depends on your station you applied for. I applied for conductor at Doncaster which to my knowledge isn't a very big base when compared to others in the area.

Excellent news.

Congratulations buddy

 

[arthurtoosheds]

I have been condemned to the talent pool for a conductor role at Sheffield. I was only made aware of the position being a "talent pool" when I went for the interview in Oct 2023 and I'm still waiting.

I have worked on the railway before and it moves at its own pace and direction. There used to be a saying "there is the right way, a wrong way and the railway". Just keep in touch with HR for an update every couple/three months.

 

[trackside74]

Finally got a start date of 29th April for the Trainee Driver position. Got my medical next week and think it’s with a new provider (Optima) in Sheffield. Anyone got any insight on what to expect at the medical?

Thanks! ☺️

 

[1867Blue]

Finally got a start date of 29th April for the Trainee Driver position. Got my medical next week and think it’s with a new provider (Optima) in Sheffield. Anyone got any insight on what to expect at the medical?

Thanks! ☺️

Mate of mine is going to optima near Meadowhall for his medical for Sheffield depot.

Medical normally consists of drugs and alcohol test, hearing, eye sight, weight height, they also do heart tests as well. General questions about your health and lifestyle, how much you drink etc. normally takes about a week to come back.

There’s a thread at top just about medicals.

 

[Beechadz16]

Finally got a start date of 29th April for the Trainee Driver position. Got my medical next week and think it’s with a new provider (Optima) in Sheffield. Anyone got any insight on what to expect at the medical?

Thanks! ☺️

I've got the same provisional start date, had my medical last week with Optima. They'll ask the usual medical and health questions, hearing test, ECG & urine sample. Shouldn't be no longer than an hour max

 

[trackside74]

I've got the same provisional start date, had my medical last week with Optima. They'll ask the usual medical and health questions, hearing test, ECG & urine sample. Shouldn't be no longer than an hour max

Ah perfect, hopefully not too bad then! We are most likely in the same group then? Which base will you be out of after the initial training?

 

[CJBX]

I started on Monday. For your medical it will be.

Eyesight test
Hearing test
Blood pressure
Height
Weight
ECG
Drugs and alcohol test

Then a short discussion with the doctor.

 

[darlo]

Passed my assessment yesterday and now placed in the talent pool. Applied for Darlington so hopefully not waiting too long!

 

[Ell300]

Passed my assessment yesterday and now placed in the talent pool. Applied for Darlington so hopefully not waiting too long!

Well done! I've got my assessments on Wednesday! Currently deep in practice papers! (Darlington too)

 

[darlo]

Well done! I've got my assessments on Wednesday! Currently deep in practice papers! (Darlington too)

Good luck!

 

[dugster70]

I think it might be to be fair

I'm in the talent pool for LNER and that's only six months

 

[Ell300]

Good luck!

The luck worked! Passed on Wednesday too! Here's hoping we're not waiting long for a medical/start date.

 

[trackside74]

Hi all, is anyone starting in the trainee driver group on 29th April in Leeds?

 

[Beechadz16]

Hi all, is anyone starting in the trainee driver group on 29th April in Leeds?

Hi mate, yeah I'm going to be starting on that day too. Just got all these docs completed and sent

 

[Ngoodman123@li]

Hi just out of curiosity what paper work do they require. Thanks

 

[trackside74]

Hi mate, yeah I'm going to be starting on that day too. Just got all these docs completed and sent

Ahh, that’s fab! ☺️ I wonder how big the training group will be! I’ve just sent back the paperwork too and have been told to expect some more info about the training in the next few days.

Ngoodman123@li, the paperwork is just the usual right to work documents, personal details, payroll details and reading & accepting workplace policies.

 

[LokiB]

Ahh, that’s fab! ☺️ I wonder how big the training group will be! I’ve just sent back the paperwork too and have been told to expect some more info about the training in the next few days.

Ngoodman123@li, the paperwork is just the usual right to work documents, personal details, payroll details and reading & accepting workplace policies.

It will be a group of 12 unless someone doesn't turn up ( has been known to happen).

 

[Venna1]

Does anybody know what date the June course starts? I’ve received a medical date today for May, yet I’ve had no info from Northern itself, just an email from Optima saying they’ve organised the date on behalf of management.

 

[Beechadz16]

Ahh, that’s fab! ☺️ I wonder how big the training group will be! I’ve just sent back the paperwork too and have been told to expect some more info about the training in the next few days.

Ngoodman123@li, the paperwork is just the usual right to work documents, personal details, payroll details and reading & accepting workplace policies.

Look forward to meeting you on Monday