Trainee Driver Vacancies - SWR - Fratton, Guildford, Waterloo & Woking.

[Craig Stephens]

Did you do just one online assessment (SJE) after your application or two?
Congrats on getting to the next stage!

Only one online assessment.
Thanks.

 

[monkeyskillz]

Only one online assessment.
Thanks.

Good to know. Cheers.

 

[Elrey]

Hi - I've just received an email regarding an assessment day next week. So to those still awaiting one for Waterloo, check your inboxes/FG application.
7 days to fully prepare. Seems like an intense day as all tests are in one go!

 

[Danny Boy]

Hi - I've just received an email regarding an assessment day next week. So to those still awaiting one for Waterloo, check your inboxes/FG application.
7 days to fully prepare. Seems like an intense day as all tests are in one go!

Good luck. I applied for Woking I haven't heard anything since the online assessment.

 

[Elrey]

Good luck. I applied for Woking I haven't heard anything since the online assessment.

Thank you! I think maybe just the Waterloo dates are being sent out. A friend of mine had also applied to Woking is still awaiting correspondence from the online assessment. Hang in there, and good luck also.

 

[Craig Stephens]

Update: Just passed the assessment day a few hours ago. Hopefully should get an email with the next step. I applied for Waterloo.

There were 9 of us, I think 4 passed.

Any one have any advice or knowledge on the interview for the Waterloo depo?

Thanks

 

[GavinReynolds]

Update: Just passed the assessment day a few hours ago. Hopefully should get an email with the next step. I applied for Waterloo.

There were 9 of us, I think 4 passed.

Any one have any advice or knowledge on the interview for the Waterloo drop?

Thanks

Congrats

 

[Lewis H]

Update: Just passed the assessment day a few hours ago. Hopefully should get an email with the next step. I applied for Waterloo.

There were 9 of us, I think 4 passed.

Any one have any advice or knowledge on the interview for the Waterloo drop?

Thanks

Congrats!

Don’t get your hopes up about hearing ro the next step anytime soon though, after my assessments last August, my next correspondence was in December!

 

[Elrey]

Update: Just passed the assessment day a few hours ago. Hopefully should get an email with the next step. I applied for Waterloo.

There were 9 of us, I think 4 passed.

Any one have any advice or knowledge on the interview for the Waterloo drop?

Thanks

Congrats! You’re nearly there...

How was the day? Did you find it hard? I’ve got mine this Thursday. A little nervous tbh.. Any tips or anything I should specifically focus on?

 

[Peeler]

How’s everyone getting on with these advertised roles?

 

[Twotwo]

How’s everyone getting on with these advertised roles?

Did you hear back from your dmi?

 

[Peeler]

Did you hear back from your dmi?

I did. Thankful to be successful but heard nothing since......

 

[Elrey]

How’s everyone getting on with these advertised roles?

Passed the assessment two months ago now for Waterloo.. just awaiting dates for the interviews... rang up a couple of weeks ago just to find out the status of this. Vague answer given about everyone's application is pretty much on a waiting list..so when some applications fall through at a certain stage, they just pick the next one on their list.. patiently waiting.

 

[HantsMan]

Passed the assessment two months ago now for Waterloo.. just awaiting dates for the interviews... rang up a couple of weeks ago just to find out the status of this. Vague answer given about everyone's application is pretty much on a waiting list..so when some applications fall through at a certain stage, they just pick the next one on their list.. patiently waiting.

Yes this seems pretty much the same response I was given when I phoned. I couldn’t really get to the bottom of what they were trying to say because it was all so very vague but general gist is they’ll get back to you when they get back to you.

 

[Elrey]

Although. I have seen an advert for a Driver Manager, Waterloo. So potentially they may not fill Waterloo positions, until they find a new DM?

 

[Stigy]

Although. I have seen an advert for a Driver Manager, Waterloo. So potentially they may not fill Waterloo positions, until they find a new DM?

They’ve been recruiting for DMs across the network for months now. They don’t seem to be able to fill posts.

 

[Bigfoot]

The issue with recruiting driver managers is that unless you are desperate to be a manager there is no incentive to move from driver grade to management. An increase in the length of your working week, not a huge increase in pay and much more at risk of being pushed out the door.

But this is off topic...

 

[Stigy]

The issue with recruiting driver managers is that unless you are desperate to be a manager there is no incentive to move from driver grade to management. An increase in the length of your working week, not a huge increase in pay and much more at risk of being pushed out the door.

But this is off topic...

It’s the same for most management roles at SWR. It’s good for development and as a career move potentially, but the money you earn typically isn’t that much of an incentive. If you take lower level management for example, station managers earn less than station supervisors because they obviously don’t get any allowances etc.

But as you say, we’ve gone off topic here.

 

[Craig Stephens]

Passed the assessment two months ago now for Waterloo.. just awaiting dates for the interviews... rang up a couple of weeks ago just to find out the status of this. Vague answer given about everyone's application is pretty much on a waiting list..so when some applications fall through at a certain stage, they just pick the next one on their list.. patiently waiting.

Same boat.

 

[HantsMan]

Kind of a shame that our success depends on someone’s failure. Brutal!

I also hear that those who failed 6 months ago re-enter the list but would obviously do so at the stage they was.

 

[Stigy]

Kind of a shame that our success depends on someone’s failure. Brutal!

I also hear that those who failed 6 months ago re-enter the list but would obviously do so at the stage they was.

They’ll only have to reapply and will only have to take the assessments they failed.

 

[Val3ntine]

SWR are actually quite good in the fact that if you fail something with them you can simply give them a call after 6 months and they’ll have you back for another try whenever they can without having to be sifted again. Probably the only TOC that do this.
Don’t quote me on it not 100% now but certainly was the case under SWT and during the early stages of SWR.

 

[Stigy]

SWR are actually quite good in the fact that if you fail something with them you can simply give them a call after 6 months and they’ll have you back for another try whenever they can without having to be sifted again. Probably the only TOC that do this.
Don’t quote me on it not 100% now but certainly was the case under SWT and during the early stages of SWR.

That’s the case for internal candidates but I’ve never known it for externals. They will Internals without filling out another application form sometimes.

 

[Val3ntine]

That’s the case for internal candidates but I’ve never known it for externals. They will Internals without filling out another application form sometimes.

Same case for externals too as 2 on my course had been recruited by that method having failed the first time. Again not too sure about now though.

 

[HantsMan]

Yes it is the same as externals too as I was told if I failed my DMI or MMI I can re-try it again in 6 months. I would just have to phone up.

 

[Val3ntine]

Yes it is the same as externals too as I was told if I failed my DMI or MMI I can re-try it again in 6 months. I would just have to phone up.

Cheers for confirming that. I find SWR HR really great in comparison to others in the fact they offer this level of care and loyalty to applicants, you’d never get that at any other TOC. They genuinely want you to do well and progress and it shows throughout the whole process.
Which depot are you for and how did you get on have you had DMI and MMI yet?

 

[HantsMan]

Cheers for confirming that. I find SWR HR really great in comparison to others in the fact they offer this level of care and loyalty to applicants, you’d never get that at any other TOC. They genuinely want you to do well and progress and it shows throughout the whole process.
Which depot are you for and how did you get on have you had DMI and MMI yet?

Have to say I have really been impressed with the process so far and how I have been treated and like you for the sense they want you to do well. When I passed my assessment centre I can remember them telling me I can use the pass elsewhere but I passed with them and they would like me to continue my journey with them. Thought that was nice.

I passed my DMI early April. Was fairly quick from application in Feb but hearing rumours now of recruitment freeze (assume due to number of good candidates) so not hopeful things will move as quickly now.

 

[jen1986]

can someone shed some light on all the routes taken out of Waterloo please. greatly appreciated. i have my DMI comin up

 

[WA_Driver]

can someone shed some light on all the routes taken out of Waterloo please. greatly appreciated. i have my DMI comin up

Routes as a Waterloo Driver or do mean routes on the network?

 

[SWR_DRIVER]

can someone shed some light on all the routes taken out of Waterloo please. greatly appreciated. i have my DMI comin up

Depends which 'link' you're in... But as a new starter you'll be in a lower link, you'll most likely be doing;

Waterloo- Waterloo (Via Kingston)
Waterloo- Waterloo (Via Hounslow)
Waterloo- Hampton Court
Waterloo- Chessington South
Waterloo- Dorking
Waterloo- Guildford (Via Epsom)
Waterloo- Guildford (Via Chobham)
Waterloo- Guildford (Via Woking)
Waterloo- Woking
Waterloo- Shepperton
Waterloo- Weybridge (Via Addlestone)
Waterloo- Windsor & Eton Riverside
Waterloo- Reading

I'm pretty sure that's it...

Best of luck with the DMI! I'm towards the end of my trainee drivers rules course (gonna be based at Wimbledon), I was a guard at Strawberry Hill for 2 years. One of the best decisions I've ever made was to join the railway.