Approved by TOM SC on 15 December 2015
Remit of the Driver Selection Governance Group
Purpose and scope of the group
To recommend industry strategy for train driver psychometric assessment during
selection.
Matters within the scope of the group:
 Issues relating to the standardised psychometric assessment of train drivers
for selection, covered in Rail Industry Standard ‘Train Driver Selection’ (RIS3751 TOM).
 All categories of train drivers.
Matters not within the scope of the group:
 Psychometric assessment and selection of other railway roles.
 Other aspects of the selection decision such as the initial application process,
sifting and the final decision.
 Other uses of psychometric assessment e.g. following an incident.
All recommendations and outputs of this group are addressed to the Traffic
Operations and Management Standards Committee (TOM SC) for consideration and
approval.
RIS-3751-TOM is a voluntary standard. Duty holders may choose to mandate it
through internal instructions/procedures or contract conditions.
Duty holders who employ train drivers must satisfy themselves that the selection
procedures they use:
 Will not illegally discriminate against any applicants.
 Will make sure as far as reasonably practicable that only competent persons
are selected.
 Meet the requirements of the Train Driving Licenses and Certificates
Regulations (TDLCR) 2010
If following the strategy recommended by the group then employers of train drivers
are responsible for verifying their appropriateness and fitness for the purpose for
which it is being used.
Specific responsibilities of the group
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Recommend to TOM SC an industry strategy for the standardised train driver
psychometric assessment for the purpose of selection, based on engagement
with all relevant stakeholders and understanding of good practice in
psychometric assessment and recruitment and the TDLCR 2010.
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Approved by TOM SC on 15 December 2015
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As part of the strategy consider how to maintain the quality, effectiveness and
fairness of the content and application of the train driver psychometric
assessment process.
Monitor the effectiveness of the train driver psychometric assessment process
in terms of fairness, validity and reliability.
On behalf of the Train Operations Risk Group (TORG) oversee R&D projects
relevant to train driver psychometric assessment for selection.
Outputs to TOM SC
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Strategy for train driver psychometric assessment during selection
5-yearly report on the effectiveness of the process with a strategy update
Membership
Membership of the group will consist of members who will represent their category of
organisation, invited members who have an interest in the train driver psychometric
assessment process and RSSB who will provide technical input. All elected group
members will be elected according to the process and requirements defined in
Appendix A7.5 of the Standards Manual.
In particular, in order to be eligible for election as a group member each candidate
should meet the following requirements:
 Demonstrate competence in terms of:
o Understanding of the operational and safety requirements of the train
driver role.
o Understanding of the principles of effective selection processes.
 Occupy (or have occupied) senior positions in the industry such that they are
in a position to represent their constituency and take decisions on their behalf.
Anyone else may attend the meeting when required to provide specific additional
expertise.
The chair of the group will determine whether the appropriate competencies are
represented adequately within the group.
Category/organisation
Passenger train operators
Non passenger
Infrastructure contractor
Trades unions
ORR
RACF
Network Rail
RSSB
RSSB
Status
Elected
Elected
Elected
Invited
Invited
Invited
Invited
Technical advisor
occupational
psychologist
Group facilitator
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Representation
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Approved by TOM SC on 15 December 2015
Chaired by
Facilitated by
Frequency of meeting
An elected member elected by the group on a three
yearly basis
RSSB
The group will meet when topics, issues and/or
challenges relating to the standardised train driver
psychometric assessment require discussion,
influencing and/or resolving.
The group will meet as a minimum once a year and
maximum of three times in one year.
Responsibilities of the chair of the group
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Liaise with the RSSB facilitator of the group to establish the agenda for each
meeting, seeking input from group members as appropriate.
With the support of the RSSB facilitator, request technical input as required to
support each agenda item and specify how it should be presented (e.g. formal
or informal presentation, paper in advance etc.)
Review any papers and presentations prior to each meeting in time for them
to be circulated two weeks prior to the meeting.
Chair each meeting of the group including establishing the group is quorate,
reviewing the minutes and actions from the previous meeting, getting approval
of the previous minutes and facilitating the group to reach a consensus where
needed.
Determine whether the appropriate competencies are represented adequately
within the group and, with RSSB support, take action to rectify any gaps.
Represent the group when required at TOM SC meetings.
Take responsibility for the production of the group outputs, using input from
the RSSB facilitator and other group members as appropriate.
With appropriate support from the group members and the RSSB facilitator,
regularly review progress against the strategy and arrange suitable actions to
implement the strategy.
Responsibilities of RSSB as facilitator
RSSB will provide the group with administrative services and qualified technical input
in order to facilitate their decision making. Services provided by RSSB will consist
of:
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Establish the group.
Publish a membership list for the group which:
o Lists the name of each member of the group and the company they work
for.
o Identifies the industry category each member is representing.
o Identifies the chairman of the group.
Administer the group and provide the resources, support and information as
appropriate to facilitate its operation.
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Approved by TOM SC on 15 December 2015
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o Supporting papers will be issued to members two weeks prior to the
meeting.
o Draft minutes will be circulated to members within two weeks of the
meeting.
Support decision taking of the group by providing a qualified occupational
psychologist to attend each meeting and to help to prepare the specific
technical inputs.
Provide a review of the effectiveness and fairness of the psychometric
assessment process on a five yearly basis covering:
o Review of the selection criteria against which train drivers are assessed in
consideration of any changes to the demands of train driving such as the
introduction of new technology.
o Detailed data analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of the psychometric
assessment process including validity, reliability and fairness.
o Review in detail of national and international good practice and standards
and evaluation of the psychometric assessment process against these
criteria.
o Identification of new alternative assessment methods for consideration.
Attend RACF meetings and help to facilitate the communication between the
governance group and other groups that it needs to interface.
RSSB does not commit to undertaking any work in addition to those services
specifically identified above.
RSSB will provide support to the group up to a maximum average of 18 days of staff
time per year in a normal year and up to an additional 25 days of staff time every 5
years when undertaking the detailed review. If necessary, RSSB may be authorised
to provide additional resource by the TOM SC.
Individual elected members are required to:
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Represent the views of their constituent industry category by networking in
advance of meetings to ensure, as far as possible, that an industry consensus
is reached on items being discussed.
Communicate the strategy at other industry groups or company meetings as
appropriate to promote and improve the industry’s understanding and
awareness of the train driver psychometric assessment process and the
strategy.
Commit to feeding back from these groups any consistent themes, alternative
viewpoints (which may be different from member’s personal view), needs and
co-dependencies and requirements to the group.
Help to facilitate the annual and five yearly reviews by providing and/or
helping to organise access to relevant train driver performance data.
Undertake actions as required to assist with the production of the group
outputs and any further work requested by TOM SC.
Bring personal and professional industry domain knowledge to enable a
competent, supportive and sometimes challenging debate.
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Approved by TOM SC on 15 December 2015
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Adopt personal behaviours that ensure a timely start to meetings, attendance
for the full business, and personal preparation that optimises the likelihood of
a fully informed discussion.
Attend meetings as far as is reasonably practicable and arrange personal
diaries so that deputisation is minimised.
Interfaces/Hierarchy of groups
All recommendations and outputs of the group will be addressed to TOM SC. TOM
SC has responsibility for:
 Review and endorsement of the strategy.
 Authorising the Driver Selection Governance Group, RSSB or RACF to
undertake any further work necessary to implement the strategy.
 Implementation of changes to RIS-3571-TOM via the normal processes.
RACF will provide input into the Driver Selection Governance Group via its
representative on the group. TORG is the principal client group for all RSSB
operations and management research and development projects. If required, TORG
will delegate oversight of relevant R&D projects to the Driver Selection Governance
Group.
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