Finally I can apply to be a train driver but......

[adsvx220]

It is essential to have GCSE grades in maths and English between A-D.

Now this is a big kick in the gut for me as I haven't got that due to a terrible school and me not being the best at English and maths.

Is it still worth me applying and hope they see my life skills as an asset. I do have an NVQ in construction and being a site manager has taught me a lot.

Any advice will be helpful as I'm quite down at the moment as I've been waiting along time for this.

[jonah35]

adsvx220 said:

It is essential to have GCSE grades in maths and English between A-D.

Now this is a big kick in the gut for me as I haven't got that due to a terrible school and me not being the best at English and maths.

Is it still worth me applying and hope they see my life skills as an asset. I do have an NVQ in construction and being a site manager has taught me a lot.

Any advice will be helpful as I'm quite down at the moment as I've been waiting along time for this.

If its essential and you don't have it then no probably not.

Id look at taking the GCsE's asap.

[SV8Predator]

adsvx220 said:

Finally I can apply to be a train driver but......

What has happened that has meant that "Finally you can apply to be a train driver"?

Especially as you are not qualified for the post?

[TLandCruiser]

If your nvqs are level2 or above they normally will allow this too, but best to check with hr.

[adsvx220]

SV8Predator said:

What has happened that has meant that "Finally you can apply to be a train driver"?

Especially as you are not qualified for the post?

The operator I am applying for has now started to recruit for new drivers. I have been waiting for just over a year.

[Fotic]

adsvx220 said:

The operator I am applying for has now started to recruit for new drivers. I have been waiting for just over a year.

You should have gone to college during that year.

[R1 Indy]

I think your problem will be, there will be many many applicants who do have GCSE.

So would imagine those without requirements would get binned straight away.

[technodup]

Fotic said:

You should have gone to college during that year.

Or done it online. There are fast track GSCE courses available where you can do it in 15 weeks.

Sitting around doing fk all for a year when you know you don't have the necessary boxes ticked come recruitment time seems like a recipe for disappointment to me.

As said above, I've reviewed CVs and if the spec says 2 GCSEs, a 2:1 or whatever any who don't have that get binned immediately. Train driving is a mundane job with what seems like decent perks for applicants without many qualifications. It will be well oversubscribed so I can't see the need for them to make any concessions. Probably not what you want to hear but I'm not sure what you were expecting.

[mph1977]

Did you do level 2 Numeracy and literacy as part of your NVQ ? any decent vocational provider would put those in if you had 'underwater' GCSEs ( or none grade 1 CSEs if you are really old)

[TwigtheWonderkid]

adsvx220 said:

It is essential to have GCSE grades in maths and English between A-D.

Now this is a big kick in the gut for me as I haven't got that due to a terrible school and me not being the best at English and maths.

OP, believe me, you don't have to be the best at English and Maths to achieve a D grade at GCSE. Your initial post shows you would cruise to a D at GCSE English! You'd probably achieve higher.

Pretty basic maths skills will see you to a grade D with ease.