• Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

The GTR talent pool.

Status
Not open for further replies.

Matt K

Member
Joined
5 Jun 2015
Messages
33
I have been waiting for Bedford since passing my medical in May. Was told July and then Oct. Last time I spoke to HR they stated they would email when they can progress me. I'm guessing that October is probably not gonna happen as its now 15th Sept and I'm on a 28 day notice period. Spoke to a driver trainer at Bedford who said they was a course starting in Sept but only for internal applicants. Lucky i'm in a job and don't mind waiting!!
 
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

ChampsRacing

Member
Joined
10 Jun 2007
Messages
269
Location
London
I have been waiting for Bedford since passing my medical in May. Was told July and then Oct. Last time I spoke to HR they stated they would email when they can progress me. I'm guessing that October is probably not gonna happen as its now 15th Sept and I'm on a 28 day notice period. Spoke to a driver trainer at Bedford who said they was a course starting in Sept but only for internal applicants. Lucky i'm in a job and don't mind waiting!!

Same here glad I'm already train crew for SWT or it would be driving me even more crazy.
 

Bucko

Member
Joined
2 Jan 2014
Messages
219
Those of you that have been in talent pools before ( or are still in other ones )

If the wait is months / years, do you as least get regular updates informing you of whats happening, or are you just literally left to sweat it out for long periods of time on end?

When my medical results came back clear, I had an accompanying email saying that realistically courses will start October. If that turned out to not be the case, would you get further info, say in Nov, or just silence ?
 

Matt K

Member
Joined
5 Jun 2015
Messages
33
Same here glad I'm already train crew for SWT or it would be driving me even more crazy.

Medical was 5th May, Assessment both parts was completed with WDS2015.

Also hoping to leave the Police, I see there is a lot of like minded individuals on here!!!

Speaking to the driver trainer about 2 weeks ago got me excited again about starting! Stated that its a great job and that the money is good. Just completing your 'booked' Sundays added 10K to your pay per year.

Not about the money tho, I commute for over 3 hours a day at the moment and working at Bedford would cut that to a max 35 min for both journeys! Got a little one who I would be able to spend a lot more time with. Also find the rail network really interesting and looking forward to the "engineering" side of the learning.

Fingers crossed for everyone !!
 

Class2ldn

Established Member
Joined
25 Feb 2011
Messages
1,400
You won't earn 10k doing sundays. It's better to chuck the sundays in and work a rest day as you get a £50 bonus for a rest day, nowt for Sunday except the pay for that day.
 

Bucko

Member
Joined
2 Jan 2014
Messages
219
Matt K are you 35 mins south of Bedford or North? Im approx 20 mins South
 

hulk_MK1

New Member
Joined
15 Sep 2015
Messages
3
Hi

Just joined forum. Like EVERYONE im awaiting starting date after passing medical. Leaving the police after 10yrs and hoping to go Kings cross/Blackfriars. Thought Id post so you can update the list Ive seen on here.
 

Matt K

Member
Joined
5 Jun 2015
Messages
33
Yeah 35 mins not miles.......that'll teach me to proof read before i post :s

Driver must of been embellishing the facts on the money then!!!

I live a 12 min (to be exact!) cycle ride from Bedford Station. Its about 2 miles. I wouldn't go for anywhere else due to that. The short commute for a few years is a massive draw!!!!
 

Hoody

Member
Joined
10 Apr 2015
Messages
34
Location
Kempston
Ditto, I'm 2.5 miles from Bedford station but my current commute is only about 5 minutes. I'd be lying if I said the money wasn't an important factor, the training period will be tough financially but it'll be worth it. Does anyone know if you get any extra shifts when you're with your trainer? Matt K, guessing you're MPS with that commute??
 

Matt K

Member
Joined
5 Jun 2015
Messages
33
Ditto, I'm 2.5 miles from Bedford station but my current commute is only about 5 minutes. I'd be lying if I said the money wasn't an important factor, the training period will be tough financially but it'll be worth it. Does anyone know if you get any extra shifts when you're with your trainer? Matt K, guessing you're MPS with that commute??

Yes mate seemed a good idea at the time 6 years ago!! I'm happy to take the cut but yeah the salary at end of training is defo a positive!!!!
 

WDS2015

Member
Joined
9 Apr 2015
Messages
207
Yes mate seemed a good idea at the time 6 years ago!! I'm happy to take the cut but yeah the salary at end of training is defo a positive!!!!

If it's true we get free rail travel with TL I will be hopping on the train at Luton daily into Bedford
Direct train takes about 20 mins straight to Bedford station
 

hulk_MK1

New Member
Joined
15 Sep 2015
Messages
3
Hi

New on the forum and passed medical and so on. Looking to go Kings Cross/Blackfrairs tho not overly worried. Thought youd like to update that list ive seen running. Been polcie officer in london last 10yrs and cant wait to leave. I live nw london
 

Bucko

Member
Joined
2 Jan 2014
Messages
219
If it's true we get free rail travel with TL I will be hopping on the train at Luton daily into Bedford
Direct train takes about 20 mins straight to Bedford station

Same, altho I'll be hopping on at Harlington or Flitwick, 1 stop away !!

Do you also get free parking at station car parks? mate who works for Network Rail does.
 

Garyjames1701

Member
Joined
24 Apr 2015
Messages
113
Medical was 5th May, Assessment both parts was completed with WDS2015.

Also hoping to leave the Police, I see there is a lot of like minded individuals on here!!!

Speaking to the driver trainer about 2 weeks ago got me excited again about starting! Stated that its a great job and that the money is good. Just completing your 'booked' Sundays added 10K to your pay per year.

Not about the money tho, I commute for over 3 hours a day at the moment and working at Bedford would cut that to a max 35 min for both journeys! Got a little one who I would be able to spend a lot more time with. Also find the rail network really interesting and looking forward to the "engineering" side of the learning.

Fingers crossed for everyone !!

It seems that all train drivers will be ex police at this rate!haha. I leave Northants on the 8th October after 7 years service.
 

joeynova27

Member
Joined
2 Feb 2010
Messages
87
Feel everyone's pain in this thread. I start on Monday and just wondered if any fellow new starters who are already training could answer if on your first few days they give you a years training roster with holidays etc!? Also anyone at King's cross now the shift pattern for when your qualified? Thanks so much in advance
 

Matt K

Member
Joined
5 Jun 2015
Messages
33
Same, altho I'll be hopping on at Harlington or Flitwick, 1 stop away !!

Do you also get free parking at station car parks? mate who works for Network Rail does.

I was interviewed by the Bedford Depot Manager and he told me that they do get free parking at Bedford (although they did say they didn't know how long that would last as costs company quite a bit of money) and also that free travel is part of the package.
 

El-Alamein

Member
Joined
2 Aug 2015
Messages
89
Location
Leighton Buzzard
It seems that all train drivers will be ex police at this rate!haha. I leave Northants on the 8th October after 7 years service.

I left Bedfordshire Feb this year after 6 years. Really wasn't sure what I could do as its really all I've known since joining at 20 but I'm in a good job and awaiting this one shows there's life after Policing
 

vit4

Member
Joined
7 Jul 2012
Messages
14
I don't suppose that anybody has a contact email or phone number for recruitment that they could PM me? I've had a role change at my current work and need to let them know, as it also reduces my notice period.

I emailed both the one that Ronke emailed me when I initially got accepted post-interview and the general recruitment one that I'd emailed some time ago, but have had no reply from either. The number I have just goes to answerphone every time!


As an aside, the wait is so frustrating! :(
 

Bucko

Member
Joined
2 Jan 2014
Messages
219
I don't suppose that anybody has a contact email or phone number for recruitment that they could PM me? I've had a role change at my current work and need to let them know, as it also reduces my notice period.

I emailed both the one that Ronke emailed me when I initially got accepted post-interview and the general recruitment one that I'd emailed some time ago, but have had no reply from either. The number I have just goes to answerphone every time!


As an aside, the wait is so frustrating! :(

Same

My notice period changed and I did same as you - also no reply.

I appreciate they are very busy, so I've just accepted they will get in touch eventually. If you do get any joy can you PM me please mate?
 

vit4

Member
Joined
7 Jul 2012
Messages
14
Same

My notice period changed and I did same as you - also no reply.

I appreciate they are very busy, so I've just accepted they will get in touch eventually. If you do get any joy can you PM me please mate?

That's actually a relief to hear - I was starting to worry. Very frustrating though. If I do hear anything I'll let you know, if it's okay could you do the same please? :)
 

Bucko

Member
Joined
2 Jan 2014
Messages
219
That's actually a relief to hear - I was starting to worry. Very frustrating though. If I do hear anything I'll let you know, if it's okay could you do the same please? :)

to be fair, I am worrying

I've got a nagging doubt in my mind that all this isn't going to happen.

Just hoping we hear something soon
 

Wallicio

Member
Joined
14 Aug 2015
Messages
226
It would be nice to know well in advance but they estimated October they never said the first week in October. May well be the last week as aren't the Northern lot starting end of September. Equally October was always an estimate, I don't think we have anything to worry about from what's been said the amount of cancelled trains due to not having enough drivers and the proposed Thameslink programme being viewed to be in full flow circa 2018. New drivers are needed. I can understand and empathise with the frustration/anxiety over not knowing when the start date is yet, but I wouldn't be hitting the panic button just yet ??????
 

RedZed

Member
Joined
9 Sep 2015
Messages
153
to be fair, I am worrying

I've got a nagging doubt in my mind that all this isn't going to happen.

Just hoping we hear something soon

I'm just carrying on as normal. I'm also in DBS talent pool (even though they are not now actively recruiting - and I'm not expecting they will anytime soon).

Being in a talent pool isn't the same as being offered the job. I'll start getting excited when they offer me the job.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top