FOI request detail

SCL2 campaign simulator assessment

Request ID: FOI-1610-2021
Date published: 11 December 2020

You asked

Dear Transport for London, Under the FOI Act, I would like to request the following information, please. All my questions relate to the simulator assessment stage of the current Service Control Level 2 (SCL2) recruitment campaign. I am not a candidate in this campaign but I am an enthusiast. - Please send me a copy of all the briefing documents candidates receive before they attend the simulator assessment, following the own time learning. - I understand the service control room simulator at Ashfield House is based on the Bakerloo line. What exact section of the Bakerloo line is it based on? - Is there an expectation for candidates to deal with line suspensions, discharging traction current or reforming trains during their assessment? - Are candidates required to use a timetable during the assessment? If so, is it the current Bakerloo line working time table? If not, please send me a copy of the timetable candidates are required to use. - What's the benchmark for passing the simulator assessment? - Please send me a copy of the assessors booklet. - Please send me a list of scenarios candidates may come across during the assessment. - Please send me a photo of the simulator or explain how it looks like.

We answered

TfL Ref: 1610-2021

Thank you for your request received by us on 12 November 2020 asking for information about the simulator assessment stage of the current Service Control Level 2 (SCL2) recruitment campaign.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. You asked for the following:

- Please send me a copy of all the briefing documents candidates receive before they attend the simulator assessment, following the own time learning.

Please find attached a copy of the Control Simulator Candidate Brief.

- I understand the service control room simulator at Ashfield House is based on the Bakerloo line. What exact section of the Bakerloo line is it based on?
We are not obliged to provide you with this information as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2). In this instance the section 43(2) exemption has been applied as disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice our commercial interests. The information you seek forms part of assessment materials which are currently being used and may continue to be used in future assessments. Disclosure of this information into the public domain would give candidates an unfair advantage in future recruitment exercises and hinder TfL’s ability to recruit the best candidates in the future. The disclosure of assessment questions would also necessitate the continual re-drafting of assessment papers and question banks, which has an associated direct cost to the business.
The application of this exemption is subject to a public interest test. In this instance the ability to carry out a fair recruitment process and recruit the best individuals for the role outweigh the general public interest in disclosure.
- Is there an expectation for candidates to deal with line suspensions, discharging traction current or reforming trains during their assessment?

Candidates are required to deal with any situation that could happen on the railway, which could include some of those mentioned.

- Are candidates required to use a timetable during the assessment? If so, is it the current Bakerloo line working time table? If not, please send me a copy of the timetable candidates are required to use.

We can advise that no timetable is required in this instance.

- What's the benchmark for passing the simulator assessment?

The current Benchmarks is a ‘Three’ in all competencies but they are allowed a ‘Two’ in the log book entry.

- Please send me a copy of the assessors booklet.

- Please send me a list of scenarios candidates may come across during the assessment.

We are not obliged to provide you with this information as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2). In this instance the section 43(2) exemption has been applied as disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice our commercial interests. The information you seek forms part of assessment materials which are currently being used and may continue to be used in future assessments. Disclosure of this information into the public domain would give candidates an unfair advantage in future recruitment exercises and hinder TfL’s ability to recruit the best candidates in the future. The disclosure of assessment questions would also necessitate the continual re-drafting of assessment papers and question banks, which has an associated direct cost to the business.
The application of this exemption is subject to a public interest test. In this instance the ability to carry out a fair recruitment process and recruit the best individuals for the role outweigh the general public interest in disclosure.
- Please send me a photo of the simulator or explain how it looks like.

Please see the attached images of the simulator.

If you are considering submitting a further FOI request please think carefully about whether the request is essential at this current time, as answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. Where requests are made, please note that our response time may be impacted by the current situation.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely

 

Jasmine Howard
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London

 

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