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GWR - Trainee Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion
- Thread starter JT97
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coasting8816
Member
Hi all, thanks for all the useful info on this thread.
I applied for Paddington earlier this weekend. I have no railway experience whatsoever and this is my first trainee application so the odds are probably against me but I'm keen for a change and it's worth a shot!
I passed the SJT and think I did OK on the error checking test so now just have to wait and see. Good luck to everyone.
I applied for Paddington earlier this weekend. I have no railway experience whatsoever and this is my first trainee application so the odds are probably against me but I'm keen for a change and it's worth a shot!
I passed the SJT and think I did OK on the error checking test so now just have to wait and see. Good luck to everyone.
Waterlooville
On Moderation
Most trainee drivers are external, internal candidates wait much longer as they in turn need replacing. At the TOC I start at later this year 90% of trainees are external.
Positivity is the most important trait, I wish you well.
Jimwow1987
Member
I had my DMI on 19th June at Paddington and I’m pleased to say I received an Email this afternoon from GWR saying I have been successful and placed into the talent pool! Position in the talent pool lasts up to 5 years or however long your Psychometric tests are valid for. So relieved to have got through the process at the first time of trying . I know it’s not a job offer yet or guaranteed but it’s an achievement
Well done and best of luck with your start! Not many people make it so far
Jimwow1987
Member
Thank You
Waterlooville
On Moderation
Yes good luck, keep us updated
Hi all, I passed my medical on Tuesday and have been given a start date in November at Paddington, so I’m very excited to get started. I understand the first four months of training will be in Reading and just wanted to ask if accommodation is provided during that period as I live roughly two hours away. Also, at what stage will I be asked to provide my references? Thanks in advance for any help.
Twin82
Member
Just wanted to say congratulations and wish you all the best moving forward.
I start in a couple of weeks and I was asked for references through the online portal when they sent my contract.
With regards to accommodation, the information I have advises that it can be requested if the commute would be 90mins or over by train.
Hope this helps.
Ah do you start on the 13th July as well? I’m guessing by your name your based down in Plymouth so we’ll probably end up on a lot of the same courses as I’m based in Exeter.
Indistinct
Member
I would think it’s unlikely they’d provide accommodation given Reading is only 25 mins from your home depot. The policy is 2 hours from depot, not home address. You should be finished mid afternoon so it’s not a long day even including commuting time.
Reactor Scram
Member
Hiya, well done!
Contract wait for me was nearly 4 weeks but I know this can be shorter or longer. Once you have that you'll sort out reference stuff on the online portal. At least one former line manager professional reference and the second can be line manager or character reference.
Hotels - agree with what the others have said. You can ask, of course but my timetable has academy times 0930-1530 so there's time to travel. From people in training already - you don't always go all the way to 1530...so you have time.
translucent88
Member
Can anyone advise on how to prepare for the tea-occ? I have my stage 1 assessment centre on Tuesday in Watford. Never done the psychometrics before. Any help would be appreciated
Thought I’d chip in too. I applied for the Plymouth trainee driver. I did my application, had the SJT, received another email asking me to do the error checking test, I think I did about 20 in the 10 mins? I rechecked them all over as I was looking for correct answers vs quantity. Not had anything back yet. I’m telling myself no news is good news! Seeing other responses on here, there’s no real trend on when they respond, but I’m glad they do respond. So many jobs you never even hear back…..
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translucent88
Member
I have applied for 3 now - Two with GWR and one with GTS. I have only had the offer for the assessment centre at the first GWR app so far. Im confident that I will get through to next stage in the second GWR one too. I managed to complete between 40 and 45 questions on the error checking and am confident that I got almost of them right. Nervous about assessment centre as I have never done one in my life. Wish me luck
officewalla
Member
Not sure how you can be an hour away from Paddington and 2 hours away from Reading? It takes less than 30 minutes from Paddington to Reading. You might have bigger problems to worry about if you are that far away from Reading!
SmugStarlord
Member
Hi, i passed my stage 1 last month. First piece of advice, use and prepare with the practice papers you've been sent. I did an hour or 2 most nights. I also brought a book of amazon called "how2become" as it contained practice questions and assessments youll come across on the day. In happy to DM you a link if needed. You can find other practice materials in the forums also. I booked a hotel the night before, which helped massively. I was able to get up feeling refreshed, instead of worrying incase I was going to be late or there were train delays on the day, as thats how I was going to get there.
Dont over think and try to be relaxed. Once you do the first couple of assessments, you shouldn't feel so nervous. There are usually a couple of practice questions before you start each main assessment. Also, dont be afraid to ask the invigilator to repeat themselves to make sure you heard what you need to do and ask questions if you need to also. Be proud of reaching this stage regardless as alot of candidates dont make it this far.
Let me know how you get on and good luck. If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask away.
Waterlooville
On Moderation
Firstly how have you done two applications with GWR - the system only allows one, so presume you have created more than one account to be able to do that?
Also when you say you did 45 error checking questions, you only get 10 minutes and the error checking takes time, even once you have adapted to the process of cross referencing all the info and using the key system. 45 in 10 minutes works out at 1 every 10 seconds or so which is pretty much impossible - unless you mean a different test? For reference I got to around 16/17 and that was working fast.
hi, I'm not the original poster but when i did my error checking test back in December the test was about checking a spreadsheet of data against a key at the bottom. I Also did about 43-44 questions in the 10 minutes so i don't think its impossible. If you have experience working with spreadsheets in a data industry then scanning for errors doesn't take that much time.
Waterlooville
On Moderation
Ok... I did the fault finding test last week and it was 4 columns of data, a name, a number, a code and an area (broadly speaking). There was then also an asterix which was present on one column, but it kept jumping around. The asterix denoted a seperate process of referring to a "key" of priority. So for each example you had to cross reference 4 boxes of numerical data, then identify the asterix to work out the key and whether that was correct or not, then once you had worked out which of the 4 columns were wrong (any combination) or if NONE were wrong, you had to work out which answer was correct as it lists all possible combinations. So this takes a fair bit of assessment for each question. If you are doing that accurately in 10 seconds or less for each question then you must have some form of super power. I have a neuro diversity which I find helps me do tasks like this, I am pretty swift at tasks such as this and I have passed the fault finding test to enhanced level at another TOC (a dials and pressures test where I completed 43/45 questions).
I found the GWR one particularly difficult mainly due to the key which was constantly changing for each few questions. Of the group of people that I did it with we all said the same thing about how tough it was, and half of them didn't get through.
I see what you are saying about if you are use to checking spreadsheets then it would be an engrained skill, I don't work with them at all however - and what is the link with spreadsheets and train driving - routes / signs? I have worked in a safety critical industry (that my DMI interviewers said was more safety critical than the railway) for just under 30 years and have a great deal of experience of signature, maps, diagrams and processes - but this spreadsheet test was certainly tough for me.
I found the GWR one particularly difficult mainly due to the key which was constantly changing for each few questions. Of the group of people that I did it with we all said the same thing about how tough it was, and half of them didn't get through.
I see what you are saying about if you are use to checking spreadsheets then it would be an engrained skill, I don't work with them at all however - and what is the link with spreadsheets and train driving - routes / signs? I have worked in a safety critical industry (that my DMI interviewers said was more safety critical than the railway) for just under 30 years and have a great deal of experience of signature, maps, diagrams and processes - but this spreadsheet test was certainly tough for me.
Interesting, thanks for the response. I wonder if they've added extra steps to it. What you describe is similar to how i remember it but i don't remember having to work out the correct answer. My memory of it is a bit hazy but i think it was just 'is there an error in the sheet?' type question so what I did was scan down one of the simpler columns and if i spotted an issue i just ticked issue and moved on to the next question, no need to look any further. It was only tricky if there wasn't an error because i had to double check no make sure i hadn't missed anything. Whatever i did must have worked as i got invited to the assessments after.
That said I've been working with databases for 10 years so looking though massive data girds is something I've had plenty of practice with.
I'm guessing the link with train driving is just the ability to spot unusual or out of place things quickly. When you're zipping along at 125mph its important to be able to quickly spot the guy in the orange high-viz off in the distance half hidden behind a bush so you can blow the horn in plenty of time.
if you don't mind me asking, you said you already did a DMI, is that with another TOC? are you already in the talent pool for them?
Would greatly appreciate if you could DM me practise material as I have my test on weds morning and need all the help I can get. Congrats on your stage 1 pass and wish you all the best moving forward.
SmugStarlord
Member
As the saying goes, no news is good news
Same! Usually between the 2-4 week mark I’m reading on a few threads. Seen as high as 6 months though! Good luck!
Waterlooville
On Moderation
Thanks, yes your test sounded like it might have been simpler, the answers for these looked like a) No error b) Error with batch code only c) Error with batch code and carrier d) Error with batch code, carrier and priority
The priority was a totally separate key where you had to cross reference a code against a table.
I understand the attention to detail side. I've been driving high performance police cars at over twice the motorway speed limit for some time so spotting a high vis isn't something I feel would be an issue, close quarter spreadsheet cross checking and numbers amongst tables feels like more of a test of ability to recognise fine numerical detail as opposed to raising your observation on a rail track.
Yes I am at the point of being allocated a start date elsewhere, medical and MMI this month and should be starting later this year,
Either way its probably just meant to whittle down the numbers of applicants to a manageable level for the assessments.
Congrats on getting a start date, and good luck with your MMI.