GWR - Train Manager / Conductor Recruitment and Discussion

[Schiller01]

Good morning all,

I'm considering applying for a Train Manager role with GWR - I have a few questions I can't seem to find the answers to on the internet and don't know anyone in the profession to ask.

1. How does annual leave allocation work? Do you get allocated blocks or can you apply for the days you want 12 months in advance?
2. What rate is any overtime paid at? Do you get time back as well or just additional pay?
3. How does the work/life balance pan out - do you find you work more evenings than anything else?
4. What is the Pension Contribution - is it 5%
5. Is there anything good/bad about the role which I perhaps should know in advance - it appears a good role and GWR appear a good company to work for?

Very grateful for any help/advice/tips anyone can provide.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Unfortunately I can't help with your questions, but out of curiosity what role is this? I can't see any TM vacancies on their website.

 

[FGW_DID]

Good morning all,

I'm considering applying for a Train Manager role with GWR - I have a few questions I can't seem to find the answers to on the internet and don't know anyone in the profession to ask.

1. How does annual leave allocation work? Do you get allocated blocks or can you apply for the days you want 12 months in advance? Allocated Blocks (something like 5x 1 week period), remaining leave days can be taken anytime but may have to be applied for well in advance to stand any chance of getting them.
2. What rate is any overtime paid at? Do you get time back as well or just additional pay? Usually something like time +1/4. It would be one or the other not both. Operating grades would likely to be paid. MS grades more likely to be time off in lieu.
3. How does the work/life balance pan out - do you find you work more evenings than anything else? Can't help with that.
4. What is the Pension Contribution - is it 5% I should probably know this but I don't . I guess it probably varies dependent on grade.
5. Is there anything good/bad about the role which I perhaps should know in advance - it appears a good role and GWR appear a good company to work for? In my opinion, its a decent company to work for, I've been with them for 13 years and the OH has been with them for approx 5 years. Like every company it probably has its issues but what I may consider to be trivial may be a major gripe with someone else and vice versa!

Very grateful for any help/advice/tips anyone can provide.

Hope that helps in some way. The information about the A/L allocation came from a TM when my OH enquired about the role a couple of months ago.

 

[Schiller01]

Unfortunately I can't help with your questions, but out of curiosity what role is this? I can't see any TM vacancies on their website.

Not a current one - they were recently recruiting and I missed it but would be tempted if they advertised again so thought I'd ask a few questions about it.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Aug 2024 ==

Hope that helps in some way. The information about the A/L allocation came from a TM when my OH enquired about the role a couple of months ago.

Thank you.

 

[Jjr1993]

Good morning everyone

First post on here. I have recently been invited to the GWR assessment centre for the role of train manager.

I’ve been told there will be an individual and group exercise followed by an interview if successful in the exercises.

Any tips and advice would be much appreciated for the exercises and interview.

Thank you

 

[Frenchy7119]

Hi where have you applied for ? Ive applied for swansea have passed all the on line tests just waiting to hear if short listed for interview assessment

 

[Frenchy7119]

Good morning everyone

First post on here. I have recently been invited to the GWR assessment centre for the role of train manager.

I’ve been told there will be an individual and group exercise followed by an interview if successful in the exercises.

Any tips and advice would be much appreciated for the exercises and interview.

Thank you

Hi did you get an interview after? How did it go i put in for TM in swansea and have an interview in a few weeks any pointers ?? Cheers

 

[Frenchy7119]

Has any one been thru the recruitment process for GWR TM lately! I have passed the on line test and been called for an interview! Is it interview then assessment centre ? Or if any one had any pointers on questions!

Cheers

 

[elduderino78]

Has any one been thru the recruitment process for GWR TM lately! I have passed the on line test and been called for an interview! Is it interview then assessment centre ? Or if any one had any pointers on questions!

Cheers

Have you had your interview yet?

I've done 3 online tests (Numerical, TPT and SCAAT) and awaiting next test hopefully.

What was the process after these tests? Straight to interview?

Hope it went well if already had the interview.

Cheers

 

[Hooker11]

Have you had your interview yet?

I've done 3 online tests (Numerical, TPT and SCAAT) and awaiting next test hopefully.

What was the process after these tests? Straight to interview?

Hope it went well if already had the interview.

Cheers

Sorry to jump.

How long from completing the numerical did you receive the next set of tests? I’m awaiting the tests.

Best of luck ☺️

 

[elduderino78]

Sorry to jump.

How long from completing the numerical did you receive the next set of tests? I’m awaiting the tests.

Best of luck ☺️

Hi

Did the numerical on Wednesday, got invited to TCT 28 hours later (yesterday). Completed TCT this morning, got invited for SCAAT 20 minutes later, completed RAAT about 10 minutes ago!

Just a waiting game now.

Hope that helps

 

[Hooker11]

Hi

Did the numerical on Wednesday, got invited to TCT 28 hours later (yesterday). Completed TCT this morning, got invited for SCAAT 20 minutes later, completed RAAT about 10 minutes ago!

Just a waiting game now.

Hope that helps

Thank you ☺️.. I completed the Numerical early afternoon and got an invite for the TCT around 4 hours later. (About an hour after I commented!) 28 hours!! That must of been stressful.

That’s really useful to know. Thank you for replying.

 

[Frenchy7119]

Sorry to jump.

How long from completing the numerical did you receive the next set of tests? I’m awaiting the tests.

Best of luck ☺️

With in a 24 hours

 

[Hooker11]

Does anyone know how long the recruitment process is at the moment for Train Manager positions at GWR?

I sat the NAT last week and then the TCT over the weekend. Awaiting to see if I’ve passed that for the next test.

After the 4 tests what’s the next steps? For anyone that’s been recently taken on, how long from applying did you start?

Thanks so much! ☺

 

[Frenchy7119]

Hi
I passed all and was callee in for an interview about month later and was told two weeks after that passed and into talent pool with no estimate of a time span! Good luck if u get called in for interview let me know and ill tell u a few questions i was asked

 

[TrainBaz]

Hi
I passed all and was callee in for an interview about month later and was told two weeks after that passed and into talent pool with no estimate of a time span! Good luck if u get called in for interview let me know and ill tell u a few questions i was asked

I am in the same position as you. Did they give you any rough time frame? And what station from?

 

[Ib5]

Hello everyone, I’ve applied for the Bristol GWR Conductor role - completed the initial online screening assessments now they want me to complete the actual official assessments again online.

It says there’ll be four tests to complete if successful at the first they’ll send another and so forth. Having read various threads on here with other operators I’m wondering if the assessments are the same?

Ticket checking test
Information retention test
The dots and funny shape test
Ticket selling test

Seems to cover most of the skills required from what I can gather, it does say also I only have two shots for ever! Fail twice and that’s it game over for life, so no pressure lol

Many thanks

 

[Cardiff22]

Hi there,

I’ve applied for the same role passed the first 3 tests awaiting result of the last one. How did you get on have you heard anything yet?

 

[Limmy82]

Hi everyone, I have applied for a trainee conductor role and have been informed that I will need to take 4 online assessments. I applied for this job last minute, having seen the advert shortly before the closing date and having never previously applied for any railway jobs (however on seeing the ad I realised that I would love to work on the railway). I'm quite nervous about the assessments, most notably the numeracy test as I haven't done any math since school (and I wasn't great then). I realise that I am very under prepared, and it's especially nerve racking that you only get two lifetime attempts at the assessments. Does anyone have any advice on ways I can prepare? What level of math skill is required?

Also does anyone know if not sitting the assessments counts as a fail, and 1 of my lifetime attempts used? I'm debating if it's worth attempting them or not given how out of my depth I feel, especially with regards to my math skills.

Thanks

 

[spudknowsbest]

Ticket Checking test, numeracy, SCAAT and RAAT

 

[Limmy82]

Does anyone know how the opc online SCAAT assessment works? Do you click on the shapes etc using the mouse? I'm a little concerned if so as I have carpal tunnel in my right hand and using a mouse can be a tad uncomfortable.

 

[Dav182]

Hi all,

I’ve applied for a Train Manager role with GWR based out of Swansea. I have successfully past the 4 tests they sent out, Numerical, ticket checking, SCAAT and the RAAT. I just had some questions if anyone can help?

I live 55 minutes away from the depot, the limit is 60 minutes, but at 9am Apple Maps suggests it’ll take 1 hr 3 minutes. Would this be an issue? My partner and I are looking at relocating closer to the area which I could mention at an interview.

The next stage is the interview stage, does anyone have any tips on interview questions they might ask?

And does anyone know how long training lasts for this role?

 

[Horizon22]

Hi all,

I’ve applied for a Train Manager role with GWR based out of Swansea. I have successfully past the 4 tests they sent out, Numerical, ticket checking, SCAAT and the RAAT. I just had some questions if anyone can help?

I live 55 minutes away from the depot, the limit is 60 minutes, but at 9am Apple Maps suggests it’ll take 1 hr 3 minutes. Would this be an issue? My partner and I are looking at relocating closer to the area which I could mention at an interview.

The next stage is the interview stage, does anyone have any tips on interview questions they might ask?

And does anyone know how long training lasts for this role?

If you've already got passed the application and assessment stage, they've probably checked (or not bothered to check) the travel time already so I wouldn't worry. Normally that gets you application declined early doors.

 

[DadPeanut]

Hi guys. Currently in this process myself with the tests due in a couple days. I'm doing preparations as we speak and wondered if anyone could answer a couple questions.

If you can remember, how many questions and how long was the numerical test? Also, did you all manage to complete every question? Will there be the option to skip and come back to at the end?

With the SCAAT sample I was set to practice with it uses the block of letters and I have to strikeout the letters I'm asked to find. I've also read elsewhere that this could also be a sequencing test, so 5 different patterns or so in a row and I have to pick next in the sequence. Did anyone find that to be the case or was it just letters?

Thanks in advance guys. I'm incredibly nervous for these tests so trying to prepare and any other tips or advice anyone has would be greatly received!!

Thanks!

 

[spudknowsbest]

Hi guys. Currently in this process myself with the tests due in a couple days. I'm doing preparations as we speak and wondered if anyone could answer a couple questions.

If you can remember, how many questions and how long was the numerical test? Also, did you all manage to complete every question? Will there be the option to skip and come back to at the end?

With the SCAAT sample I was set to practice with it uses the block of letters and I have to strikeout the letters I'm asked to find. I've also read elsewhere that this could also be a sequencing test, so 5 different patterns or so in a row and I have to pick next in the sequence. Did anyone find that to be the case or was it just letters?

Thanks in advance guys. I'm incredibly nervous for these tests so trying to prepare and any other tips or advice anyone has would be greatly received!!

Thanks!

Hi Dadpeanut, the scaat is shapes theres a group bourdon tool you can download on this forum which has the scaat built into it also.

pages 1-3 was highlight specific shape
Pages 4-6 was two different shapes
7-9 was the first shape on each line and then a constant shape throughout

 

[Frenchy7119]

Hi guys. Currently in this process myself with the tests due in a couple days. I'm doing preparations as we speak and wondered if anyone could answer a couple questions.

If you can remember, how many questions and how long was the numerical test? Also, did you all manage to complete every question? Will there be the option to skip and come back to at the end?

With the SCAAT sample I was set to practice with it uses the block of letters and I have to strikeout the letters I'm asked to find. I've also read elsewhere that this could also be a sequencing test, so 5 different patterns or so in a row and I have to pick next in the sequence. Did anyone find that to be the case or was it just letters?

Thanks in advance guys. I'm incredibly nervous for these tests so trying to prepare and any other tips or advice anyone has would be greatly received!!

Thanks!

Hi mate if its GWR you will get a few practice but its find 1 or 2 shape as many as you can in a line things like <|{][{~<>€ etc and you cant complete it as such it trying to get as many rite as possible! Loads of practise ones on line so google and try! As for other tests there is a maths test so
Just practice working out % and area etc It bit like a school test so just refresh your self on it! The ticket check i found easier but again read the question! best of luck let me know how you get on? Where is it for ?

The next stage is the interview stage, does anyone have any tips on interview questions they might ask?

And does anyone know how long training lasts for this role?

Its skill based so usual!

Tell us a time when you provided good customer service
Tell us a time when you dealt with policy and procedure to a positive outcome
Tell us a time when you where not able to provide your best and how did you over come!

They like it if you use the SMART way to answer, google it loads of examples

Best of luck

 

[Limmy82]

With the OPC RAAT is there any memory element involved - do you only get a limited time to see the passages before needing to answer the questions based on notes/memory? and are the questions in the real test significantly more difficult than the practice examples given by OPC? I've found so far that the real tests have been significantly different to the practice material so I'm expecting this to be the case again. Thanks

 

[spudknowsbest]

With the OPC RAAT is there any memory element involved - do you only get a limited time to see the passages before needing to answer the questions based on notes/memory? and are the questions in the real test significantly more difficult than the practice examples given by OPC? I've found so far that the real tests have been significantly different to the practice material so I'm expecting this to be the case again. Thanks

no memory element the whole thing stays on the screen, its about processing information, not memory

 

[Limmy82]

no memory element the whole thing stays on the screen, its about processing information, not memory

Thanks, hopefully they won't be too dissimilar to the practice examples, fingers crossed

 

[DadPeanut]

Hi mate if its GWR you will get a few practice but its find 1 or 2 shape as many as you can in a line things like <|{][{~<>€ etc and you cant complete it as such it trying to get as many rite as possible! Loads of practise ones on line so google and try! As for other tests there is a maths test so
Just practice working out % and area etc It bit like a school test so just refresh your self on it! The ticket check i found easier but again read the question! best of luck let me know how you get on? Where is it for ?

Thanks for the clarification Frenchy, that definitely helps! I've downloaded the group bourdon tool with the very handy SCAAT practice section on it.
It is for GWR yes, and it's for Penzance. Where do you work out of?
Another quick question regarding the ticket checking test this time. Is it just the checking test or is it the ticket selling and checking test that I'd be ask to do?
Thanks again!