SmugStarlord
Member
Ah fair enough. When i did it, I was asked a question. Given a few minutes to practice my answer, then had to record my answer. Think your given a couple of minutes to answer said question. Just be honest and be yourself.
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GWR - Trainee Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion
- Thread starter JT97
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Twin82
Member
Thank you for your input. I’ll bear that in mind should I get to that stage.
Hello again mate, have you got a mmi date through yet or are you still waiting?
SmugStarlord
Member
Still waiting. Been 5/6 weeks now. Dont know wether to email and ask for an update or not. What about yourself?
Same as you mate, I’m still waiting at the moment just going to let it sit for a couple more weeks and hopefully hear back soon
IndegoMouse
Member
I did my MMi the same day as stage computer test with a different TOC seems odd to have to wait so long! I know OPC are slow to give feedback due to high demand, however they are quick to give you a pass or fail
translucent88
Member
Hi guys, just received an email to say im through to stage 2 which includes 7 tests followed by the MMI
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SmugStarlord
Member
I've bit the bullet and sent them an email to see if there's any update
translucent88
Member
Any advice on what to expect on the VSE??
thejedtrain
Member
Don’t believe GWR use VSE? Unless you’ve just been invited and they now included it.
vc99
Member
Hi. Is gwr opc tests to enhanced level does anyone know? And if you go for enhanced with another toc, you will have to do all of the tests again, and day fail even though yr in the talent pool, would it take you out the talent pool?
Twin82
Member
No. GWR is done to a standard pass, not enhanced. Enhanced pass is not a standardised set thing. Some companies have an extra test as their version of enhanced. Eg Southeastern uses VSE and Southern uses the DFFT for their enhanced. Some may require a higher score on a particular test, and some may require higher scores across their standardised testing like the group bourdon etc. If you should fail any of the paper or computer tests that comes under the standardised part of the testing eg group bourdon or 2 hand coordination, at a company that requires a higher score (LNER, Avanti West Coast, etc), then you will risk your pass with any other company. In that scenario, you would be taken out of whatever pool you’re in. Hope that makes sense.
translucent88
Member
Hi, i received the invite on Monday. They have listed the below
- TRP1b (Trainability for Rules & Procedures: Part 1)
- TRP2 (Trainability for Rules & Procedures: Part 2)
- VSE (Visual Search Exercise)
- WAFV, ATAVT, 2-Hand Computerised tests
- SJE (Situational Judgement Exercise)
- MMI (Multi Modal Interview)
Chippychips
Member
Hi all,
I'm not a GWR employee/driver but was passing through and asked to speak to a Driver Manager to ask a few questions. It was a brief chat, he said the current courses for the remainder of the year and start of next year (I think alluding to January or February 2027) have been filled/in the process of being filled. He did say however that they will have another campaign at the backend of this year "probably November". He said they will be looking for more Trainees and Qualified. He also said things have slowed because they're not sure where they stand in regards to "7 day railway plans" with the DfTO because an offer/terms had been made to the DfTO to get Sundays inside the working week but the DfTO has neither accepted, nor rejected. His words were "GWR submitted before Greater Anglia did, and Greater Anglia got approved so we're not sure...they seem to just be sitting on it". But he also said this may be because they're waiting until GWR actually come under their ownership in December 2026 (this was him thinking out loud). But he said once the 7 day week gets approved, he anticipates a large number of retirements coming in and of course more train crew needed for rostering requirements to run a fully timetabled 7 day railway.
I'm just the messenger. Don't know any other information than that but it may give a bit of an insight into what is potentially going on behind the scenes.
I'm not a GWR employee/driver but was passing through and asked to speak to a Driver Manager to ask a few questions. It was a brief chat, he said the current courses for the remainder of the year and start of next year (I think alluding to January or February 2027) have been filled/in the process of being filled. He did say however that they will have another campaign at the backend of this year "probably November". He said they will be looking for more Trainees and Qualified. He also said things have slowed because they're not sure where they stand in regards to "7 day railway plans" with the DfTO because an offer/terms had been made to the DfTO to get Sundays inside the working week but the DfTO has neither accepted, nor rejected. His words were "GWR submitted before Greater Anglia did, and Greater Anglia got approved so we're not sure...they seem to just be sitting on it". But he also said this may be because they're waiting until GWR actually come under their ownership in December 2026 (this was him thinking out loud). But he said once the 7 day week gets approved, he anticipates a large number of retirements coming in and of course more train crew needed for rostering requirements to run a fully timetabled 7 day railway.
I'm just the messenger. Don't know any other information than that but it may give a bit of an insight into what is potentially going on behind the scenes.
vc99
Member
Yeh so that sort of makes me think that by doing the vse and sit judgement m7 at home that doesn't contribute to the standard level. I should be ok in trying these without it affecting my pass status? Would you agree?
Twin82
Member
From what I was told, and just doing a google search, doing the vse at home is part of the sifting process but failing actually counts as 1 of your psychometric fail for any company that uses the VSE at enhanced standard.
SmugStarlord
Member
Surely that all depends on which depot/s though
I had my DMI on Tuesday for Reading, and was told August and November courses were filled and they were currently filling for February 2027. But, the course won’t just be for Reading drivers, it’ll also be filled with other depots drivers, such as Oxford, so it depends how many are needed for each area and the urgency for those drivers. There are lots of places needing filling, but someone going for an interview now, may or may not get onto February‘s course.
Also, just because I did my DMI before someone else, doesn’t mean I’d be ahead of them, if successful. They send the results to recruitment in batches, either weekly or fortnightly, because they’re interviewing lots of people, and then recruitment can sit on this for a couple of weeks before sending emails to everyone - I was told they can send it weekly, but that’s unlikely, just because of the sheer volume of interviews taking place.
Anyone going for a DMI should prepare their own questions because the driver managers are happy to answer these types of questions.
Training takes place in Reading.
Also, just because I did my DMI before someone else, doesn’t mean I’d be ahead of them, if successful. They send the results to recruitment in batches, either weekly or fortnightly, because they’re interviewing lots of people, and then recruitment can sit on this for a couple of weeks before sending emails to everyone - I was told they can send it weekly, but that’s unlikely, just because of the sheer volume of interviews taking place.
Anyone going for a DMI should prepare their own questions because the driver managers are happy to answer these types of questions.
Training takes place in Reading.
hey, thanks for the info.
I've got my DMI coming up, also for Reading soon. would you be willing to share your experience? any tips going in?
It’s like any other interview, so preparation is key. They have 3 or 4 questions on each sheet and only choose one, so you may not get the same questions as me. It’s important to answer in a way that reflects what you’re being interviewed for - seems obvious, but what I mean is if you’re describing your current role, talk about aspects that share similar driver attributes, such as safety, lone working, attention, vigilance etc.
If you remain calm, have good memory recall (can remember back to past incidents that could answer their questions), then you should be ok.
I believe at this stage, they’re looking to see if you’re not suitable, rather than if you are. By which I mean, they already know a lot about you and that you are able to pass psychometric assessments, but are you a good communicator, are you presentable, do you tend to say the right things, would you be the type of person they want working at GWR.
It‘s about all I can say really. Most has already been said on here before. You should be fine if you perform well on the day.
Oh, and arrive early. They know you’re there early and they like that.
If you remain calm, have good memory recall (can remember back to past incidents that could answer their questions), then you should be ok.
I believe at this stage, they’re looking to see if you’re not suitable, rather than if you are. By which I mean, they already know a lot about you and that you are able to pass psychometric assessments, but are you a good communicator, are you presentable, do you tend to say the right things, would you be the type of person they want working at GWR.
It‘s about all I can say really. Most has already been said on here before. You should be fine if you perform well on the day.
Oh, and arrive early. They know you’re there early and they like that.
great thanks.
one last question. I know there is a spectrum of experiences but would you say the interview was more on the friendly chat side or the intense MMI style?
I guess it depends on your experience of interviews. If you’re used to them, then it’s not intense, but if you’re not used to them, then 2 driver managers asking questions can seem intense - I know a friend of mine is dreading the interview stage because he’s only ever sat in one interview, and that was 30 years ago when he was 16! Whereas, I’ve interviewed lots of people myself, so I knew the process (different industry though).
Personally I found neither the MMI or DMI intense. I don’t think it’s meant to be - it’s just to see if you’re right for the role. However, there was some humour, but they led that and I joined in if appropriate. I didn’t try to make a joke myself. But I guess that shows that they are looking to settle you down.
All in all, I found it fine. In fact, I felt comfortable from the first minute and pretty much straight away felt it was going well.
I’m sure you’ll feel the same way.
One other point is, I did sit a very similar interview for a Conductor at GWR a few months ago (I’m in a Talent Pool, which I’ll withdraw from if successful with my DMI) and I guess I knew what was coming. Both were very similar, but there was more at stake for the driver role.
Personally I found neither the MMI or DMI intense. I don’t think it’s meant to be - it’s just to see if you’re right for the role. However, there was some humour, but they led that and I joined in if appropriate. I didn’t try to make a joke myself. But I guess that shows that they are looking to settle you down.
All in all, I found it fine. In fact, I felt comfortable from the first minute and pretty much straight away felt it was going well.
I’m sure you’ll feel the same way.
One other point is, I did sit a very similar interview for a Conductor at GWR a few months ago (I’m in a Talent Pool, which I’ll withdraw from if successful with my DMI) and I guess I knew what was coming. Both were very similar, but there was more at stake for the driver role.
Thanks, that's reassuring.
I'm not quite in the same position as your friend, but I've not really done a face to face job interview in about 10 years. I also didn't find the MMI to be that intense, its just reading these forums most people seem to hold the MMI as the high water mark for difficulty. So if its similar in feel or more relaxed then that puts me a ease.
I'll keep my fingers crossed that you hear back with good news soon. Maybe someday if everything works out we might meet each other on the training course or at the depot.
Yes, not everyone has interview experience and the only advise I can give you is, it really is just a formal conversation to find out about you and whether you fit. If you stick to talking about your positive attributes and act professional (which most would) then I think you’ll be fine.
I don’t want to give you too much more information as it can be overload. The best thing you can do is think about relevant questions and answers, understand what a driver does and do your research about GWR.
Then get a good nights sleep the night before and try to relax. I’m certain you’ll come back here and say it went well.
When is your DMI booked for?
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
And yes, hopefully we will see each other on the course. There won’t be many with my name, so easy to find me.
Feel free to DM me if you think I might be able to help.
I don’t want to give you too much more information as it can be overload. The best thing you can do is think about relevant questions and answers, understand what a driver does and do your research about GWR.
Then get a good nights sleep the night before and try to relax. I’m certain you’ll come back here and say it went well.
When is your DMI booked for?
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
And yes, hopefully we will see each other on the course. There won’t be many with my name, so easy to find me.
Feel free to DM me if you think I might be able to help.
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Thanks its good advice.
My DMI is booked for early next week so I'm in the last few days countdown. I've done my research about the company, role, and possible questions. I've got a few pages of notes. i just hope i can remember it all in the moment lol
Thank you for the offer. If anything comes to mind I'll be sure to drop you a message.
The one question I meant to ask, but didn’t because I felt I’d probably asked enough questions, was how they think GWR might change under public ownership and whether that might effect driver recruitment.
For some reason, I’d really like to know what they think about it. In saying that, I did ask that question during the Conductor interview in March and they said at the time, that they didn’t see anything changing. But I think they would have more information now.
For some reason, I’d really like to know what they think about it. In saying that, I did ask that question during the Conductor interview in March and they said at the time, that they didn’t see anything changing. But I think they would have more information now.
Funny you should say that. Its also one of the questions on my list. I'll let you know what they say.
Any other questions you would have asked but didn't? I'll see if i can slip them in with mine
I asked what the process is, what separates good students from those that don’t do so well (they really liked that question), about the culture at GWR. But they covered quite a bit with their answers, including salary.
I can’t remember what else I asked, but like I say, these conversations blended into multiple questions and answers. It was very relaxed at this stage.
I can’t remember what else I asked, but like I say, these conversations blended into multiple questions and answers. It was very relaxed at this stage.
HaHa they must get asked the same questions by almost every candidate. I've also got those on my list though i suppose without being in the industry already there's probably not many different areas of questions to choose from.
