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Greater Anglia - Trainee Driver - Recruitment Discussion

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Jackb87

Member
Joined
19 Aug 2026
Messages
7
Location
Peterborough
Found out today I have passed my Stage 2 and MMI. That excitement was short lived with the second email that said due to a recent change in the recruitment process, I’m no longer considered for the mainline trainee train driver position as all trainees going forward now have to start as a trainee depot driver first.
 

Tonboles365

Member
Joined
2 Apr 2020
Messages
13
Location
Peterborough
Are you sure? Where has the information been confirmed from?

How much is a depot driver paid?
An email I received today regarding Trainee Train Driver - Cambridge

It states the following:
"The process has changed in that any trainees are now required to start as a Trainee Depot Driver and after a certain period of time in the role, can then be considered for a trainee mainline train driver role once a position becomes available."
 

Spider1806

Member
Joined
28 Aug 2024
Messages
206
Location
Kettering
An email I received today regarding Trainee Train Driver - Cambridge

It states the following:
"The process has changed in that any trainees are now required to start as a Trainee Depot Driver and after a certain period of time in the role, can then be considered for a trainee mainline train driver role once a position becomes available."
Oh right never got that

Got dfft test next week

Have you got tests booked in?
 

Jackb87

Member
Joined
19 Aug 2026
Messages
7
Location
Peterborough
Can I ask those who received the email yesterday from GA. Have you just replied directly to that email or is there another email to contact back on?
 

sgg

Member
Joined
10 Jun 2026
Messages
22
Location
cambridge
Has anyone been asked to attend stage 2 from the emails yesterday?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

An email I received today regarding Trainee Train Driver - Cambridge

It states the following:
"The process has changed in that any trainees are now required to start as a Trainee Depot Driver and after a certain period of time in the role, can then be considered for a trainee mainline train driver role once a position becomes available."
Have you passed stage 1 or stage 1&2
 
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Tonboles365

Member
Joined
2 Apr 2020
Messages
13
Location
Peterborough
Can I ask those who received the email yesterday from GA. Have you just replied directly to that email or is there another email to contact back on?
Respond directly to it, if you scroll directly to the bottom, you will see in light grey text that if you have any questions to reply to the email.
 

Spider1806

Member
Joined
28 Aug 2024
Messages
206
Location
Kettering
The depot driver pay is at the bottom of the post which dk1 posted earlier in the thread.
Yea got it

Still no one is really commenting on the ones who got the email

Which some still haven’t got?

The ones who did have they done all the tests? Did they do all the tests with GA?

It’s a mixed bag here but I know there is still a few that haven’t got this email
 

sgg

Member
Joined
10 Jun 2026
Messages
22
Location
cambridge
Yea got it

Still no one is really commenting on the ones who got the email

Which some still haven’t got?

The ones who did have they done all the tests? Did they do all the tests with GA?

It’s a mixed bag here but I know there is still a few that haven’t got this email
I did my stage 1 last Monday. Passed awaiting next stage but nothing on going from main line to depot
 

Tonboles365

Member
Joined
2 Apr 2020
Messages
13
Location
Peterborough
Has anyone been asked to attend stage 2 from the emails yesterday?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==


Have you passed stage 1 or stage 1&2
Passed Stage 1 & 2 now, but the revelation email regarding the new progression requirement from Depot driver to Mainline driver came about 5 minutes post Stage 2 confirmation email.

I kept seeing so much about Cambridge not having depot drivers, that I am not entirely sure what to expect. Are they moving to something similar to other other TOC's that have MDD's? Maybe I just need to do some digging around to find out more information about GA's process from Depot to Mainline.
 

Spider1806

Member
Joined
28 Aug 2024
Messages
206
Location
Kettering
Passed Stage 1 & 2 now, but the revelation email regarding the new progression requirement from Depot driver to Mainline driver came about 5 minutes post Stage 2 confirmation email.

I kept seeing so much about Cambridge not having depot drivers, that I am not entirely sure what to expect. Are they moving to something similar to other other TOC's that have MDD's? Maybe I just need to do some digging around to find out more information about GA's process from Depot to Mainline.
Just strange so many others who have passed haven’t had it very strange all this
 

Tonboles365

Member
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2 Apr 2020
Messages
13
Location
Peterborough
Just strange so many others who have passed haven’t had it very strange all this
It depends entirely on how recent they made the decision. Although, given that the group I was progressing through with for Cambridge seemed to be progressing through quite quick - Stage 1 on end of July and Stage 2 on Mid Aug - it'll be interesting to see.

I'm happy to go through the progression phase to get to mainline. Actually makes perfect sense to me, to have this type of progression; just a little shock when you pass the psychometrics and are hit with the revelation that the route to get to where you intended has been altered.
 

sgg

Member
Joined
10 Jun 2026
Messages
22
Location
cambridge
Wonder if it’s anything to do with passing national standards vs GA enhanced standard on some of their tests.

I had stage 2 confirmation and going next week, however not had anything about depot to mainline
 

Ashfordian6

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Joined
2 Feb 2022
Messages
81
Location
East Region
Passed Stage 1 & 2 now, but the revelation email regarding the new progression requirement from Depot driver to Mainline driver came about 5 minutes post Stage 2 confirmation email.

I kept seeing so much about Cambridge not having depot drivers, that I am not entirely sure what to expect. Are they moving to something similar to other other TOC's that have MDD's? Maybe I just need to do some digging around to find out more information about GA's process from Depot to Mainline.

Sounds like you have some good questions for when you have your DMI? :idea:

Let's just say the Cambridge situation is complicated and in the process of change. If they can justify the savings by having depot drivers, depot drivers will be arriving at Cambridge ASAP (ie I would expect course(s) to be run before year end).

If the location has depot drivers this will then become the only route of progression to mainline so from your email it sounds like it has been decided that Cambridge will be getting depot drivers (or they are hedging their bets on this being the case).

However they are also short of mainline drivers from the changes to be implemented from the recent pay deal. As I said it complicated...
 

Tonboles365

Member
Joined
2 Apr 2020
Messages
13
Location
Peterborough
Wonder if it’s anything to do with passing national standards vs GA enhanced standard on some of their tests.

I had stage 2 confirmation and going next week, however not had anything about depot to mainline
Could be an interesting mixture. I missed confirming the first invitation for stage 2 by 10 minutes - wasn't surprised it went so quick. I would be surprised if GA suddenly reducing their requirement for enhanced standard, surely, much like safety, their enhanced standard isn't negotiable?

It could be that they implemented this route of progression between your assessment and mine.

Either way, if this is the new norm, I can't say it's a bad thing. Gone are the days of cleaners, second men, and progression through experience. I know that times have changed, but that time as a depot driver will certain provide the opportunity to become more experienced and well versed in the rolling stock before proceeding to the mainline. That's an oversimplified version of my opinion, but an opinion nonetheless.
 

Shunter Bones

Member
Joined
16 Feb 2022
Messages
103
Location
Somewhere.
I have been given a formal job offer for the position of Depot Driver at Norwich, start date 16/11/26, training to be held at Norwich. I don't know if this is just for Norwich staff or for Cambridge Depot Drivers as well. I'd guess a course would be for 8-12 trainees possibly, so I wouldn't think this amount of new staff would be for just one depot, I may be wrong. I applied directly as a Depot Driver and feel this is probably the best way to work towards my goal of becoming a Mainline Driver, and as others have suggested this seems to be the way forward at the current time.
Good luck to those still moving through selection.
 

ramsy12

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Joined
27 Feb 2026
Messages
95
Location
Cambridge
I have been given a formal job offer for the position of Depot Driver at Norwich, start date 16/11/26, training to be held at Norwich. I don't know if this is just for Norwich staff or for Cambridge Depot Drivers as well. I'd guess a course would be for 8-12 trainees possibly, so I wouldn't think this amount of new staff would be for just one depot, I may be wrong. I applied directly as a Depot Driver and feel this is probably the best way to work towards my goal of becoming a Mainline Driver, and as others have suggested this seems to be the way forward at the current time.
Good luck to those still moving through selection.
Wonderful Mate. Congratulations for your achievement....All the very best.
 

Spider1806

Member
Joined
28 Aug 2024
Messages
206
Location
Kettering
I have been given a formal job offer for the position of Depot Driver at Norwich, start date 16/11/26, training to be held at Norwich. I don't know if this is just for Norwich staff or for Cambridge Depot Drivers as well. I'd guess a course would be for 8-12 trainees possibly, so I wouldn't think this amount of new staff would be for just one depot, I may be wrong. I applied directly as a Depot Driver and feel this is probably the best way to work towards my goal of becoming a Mainline Driver, and as others have suggested this seems to be the way forward at the current time.
Good luck to those still moving through selection.
Congrats mate - was the process quick for you?
 

sgg

Member
Joined
10 Jun 2026
Messages
22
Location
cambridge
I am in the morning and just doing one test so won’t be going to have an interview that day
I have a whole day 9-3 event for stage 2 on Thursday

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

I have been given a formal job offer for the position of Depot Driver at Norwich, start date 16/11/26, training to be held at Norwich. I don't know if this is just for Norwich staff or for Cambridge Depot Drivers as well. I'd guess a course would be for 8-12 trainees possibly, so I wouldn't think this amount of new staff would be for just one depot, I may be wrong. I applied directly as a Depot Driver and feel this is probably the best way to work towards my goal of becoming a Mainline Driver, and as others have suggested this seems to be the way forward at the current time.
Good luck to those still moving through selection.
Congratulations on your offer
 
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Shunter Bones

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16 Feb 2022
Messages
103
Location
Somewhere.
From my understanding stage 2, if your successful you have interview at end of the day is that correct?
I did all stages in one day, which included the MMI (Multi Modal Interview), which was after I passed all other parts. This completes your psychometric pass. But your DMI (Depot Manager Interview) will most likely be on a future date at your chosen depot.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

T
I have a whole day 9-3 event for stage 2 on Thursday

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Congratulations on your offer
Thank you!
 

sgg

Member
Joined
10 Jun 2026
Messages
22
Location
cambridge
I did all stages in one day, which included the MMI (Multi Modal Interview), which was after I passed all other parts. This completes your psychometric pass. But your DMI (Depot Manager Interview) will most likely be on a future date at your chosen depot.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

T

Thank you!
I was half expecting a whole day thing but all changed did paper assessments just over a week ago.

Main line driver job
 

Shunter Bones

Member
Joined
16 Feb 2022
Messages
103
Location
Somewhere.
Which depot/booking on point? So you should get your MMI at the end of the day if successful. But the interview for where you applied to be will most likely be on a separate date. As others have said on here, some of the goal posts have been moved regarding mainline applications.
 
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