First Great Western - Trainee Drivers

[mindthedoors]

Just want to say big congrats to everyone that got the trainee driver job, I wish I could be there with you just checked my application and it still only says awaiting short listing and with start dates in July guess I will have to try again next year

I wouldn't give up just yet, there's plenty more applications to get through.. I hope

 

[stevienash]

I would my friend went for mainline driver and after getting a borderline pass they rang him about a month after asking if he would like to go depot driving as he had not scored high enough for mainline but reached the cut off to go depot driving (internal policy he said) apparently first wont take anyone with a boarderline for mainline.

Just sent them an email to see what is going on with my application!

 

[Red18]

Did the first assessment at Bristol today.
I was amazed how fast things went, especially the GBT.
I'm sure a Bristol 2 minutes is different to the rest of the UK.

 

[willias3]

Did the first assessment at Bristol today.
I was amazed how fast things went, especially the GBT.
I'm sure a Bristol 2 minutes is different to the rest of the UK.

that's the pressure!

 

[Brunel]

If you get a depot driving job on FGW, you can transfer directly to mainline driving after 18 months.

 

[reapz]

I was there too - dot practice was well worth it (amazed that some of the guys hadn't twigged it would be dots)
Biggest surprise was the dials - easy enough if you are logical, but 43 in 8 minutes!!! I got through about 27 not sure if that will cut the mustard!
Sitting outside in the foyer waiting to be called in with 20 suited and booted blokes -bit apprentice esq!!!
Hope to hear back soon (they had done 9 groups of 20 just in Bristol)

I think that is around the same as I did so your ok
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

If you get a depot driving job on FGW, you can transfer directly to mainline driving after 18 months.

Thats new then ?

 

[Quickthorn]

If you get a depot driving job on FGW, you can transfer directly to mainline driving after 18 months.

Have you got a source for this?

 

[Red18]

I was there too - dot practice was well worth it (amazed that some of the guys hadn't twigged it would be dots)
Biggest surprise was the dials - easy enough if you are logical, but 43 in 8 minutes!!! I got through about 27 not sure if that will cut the mustard!
Sitting outside in the foyer waiting to be called in with 20 suited and booted blokes -bit apprentice esq!!!
Hope to hear back soon (they had done 9 groups of 20 just in Bristol)

Waiting outside with nobody speaking was very weird. I put it down to nerves.
The dials was a little different to the test info they sent out. Easy enough though once you sussed it out. I got through to about 34 or 35 I think. I don't think you are expected to finish it though - at least I hope not!

 

[Pilgrim]

Hi im a first poster. I have had my application in since the 27th April and I still havent heard anything yet. I am hoping to hear soon. I hope I havent missed out as I have had an application in with South West Trains for 4 years.

 

[Red18]

Hi im a first poster. I have had my application in since the 27th April and I still havent heard anything yet. I am hoping to hear soon. I hope I havent missed out as I have had an application in with South West Trains for 4 years.

What depot did you apply for?
What does your application status say as on the FGW careers site?

 

[Pilgrim]

What depot did you apply for?
What does your application status say as on the FGW careers site?

I went for Bristol, would have to move down from Derby. It says awaiting shortlisting.

 

[Red18]

I went for Bristol, would have to move down from Derby. It says awaiting shortlisting.

I don't think location can be an issue at this stage, I would be relocating from Manchester.
There have been lots of applications so it must be taking them a while to plough on through them. As long as it says 'awaiting' then there is still hope.

 

[anthony263]

I was there too - dot practice was well worth it (amazed that some of the guys hadn't twigged it would be dots)
Biggest surprise was the dials - easy enough if you are logical, but 43 in 8 minutes!!! I got through about 27 not sure if that will cut the mustard!
Sitting outside in the foyer waiting to be called in with 20 suited and booted blokes -bit apprentice esq!!!
Hope to hear back soon (they had done 9 groups of 20 just in Bristol)

I agree about the dials, I managed 24 out of 43.

There was at least 2 at my asessment who were insistant that we were doing the mechanical test despite the rest of us receiving emails from FGW which nothing of the sort.

I dont know about the other depots but there does seem to be an extremely high number of applicants for Bristol.

 

[SkinnyDave]

I agree about the dials, I managed 24 out of 43.

There was at least 2 at my asessment who were insistant that we were doing the mechanical test despite the rest of us receiving emails from FGW which nothing of the sort.

I dont know about the other depots but there does seem to be an extremely high number of applicants for Bristol.

There are huge numbers for every vacancy not just Bristol, I would imagine Oxford Reading assessments were rammed

 

[KT530]

Assessors last week said about 350, not sure if that was just Reading, or all places

 

[Puremetal84]

I had the first stage assessments at Reading on the 29th May, just had a call inviting me for 2nd stage next week. I didn't expect to hear so soon.

 

[anthony263]

I had the first stage assessments at Reading on the 29th May, just had a call inviting me for 2nd stage next week. I didn't expect to hear so soon.

Well I was told at the asessment centre that FGW were hoping to start notifying sucessful candidates their dates for stage 2 asessments around the end of this week and I suspect this will continue into next week.

 

[Puremetal84]

Well I was told at the asessment centre that FGW were hoping to start notifying sucessful candidates their dates for stage 2 asessments around the end of this week and I suspect this will continue into next week.

We were told that it was very unlikely to hear anything this week as they had so many applicants to go through.

 

[Brunel]

If you get a depot driving job on FGW, you can transfer directly to mainline driving after 18 months.

Have you got a source for this?

I know a guy who works at OOC as a depot driver. He is transferring to mainline in September after being depot driver.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I was there too - dot practice was well worth it (amazed that some of the guys hadn't twigged it would be dots)
Biggest surprise was the dials - easy enough if you are logical, but 43 in 8 minutes!!! I got through about 27 not sure if that will cut the mustard!
Sitting outside in the foyer waiting to be called in with 20 suited and booted blokes -bit apprentice esq!!!
Hope to hear back soon (they had done 9 groups of 20 just in Bristol)

I think that is around the same as I did so your ok
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

If you get a depot driving job on FGW, you can transfer directly to mainline driving after 18 months.

Thats new then ?

Don't think so. Some people don't want mainline work. The idea of hurtling along in thick fog at night at 125 mph doesn't appeal!

 

[davidbarker09]

Hi all

New here, I had assesment at Bristol on the 3rd of june for FGW Trainee train driver, I was told would hear within the week, I doubt that...However my question is How long would you say is normal?

I feel it went well and feel i passed,

However just want to no either way lol

 

[Quickthorn]

I know a guy who works at OOC as a depot driver. He is transferring to mainline in September after being depot driver.

Thanks for that.

Did he have to do any additional assessments? I ask because a post elsewhere on this site suggests that FGW don't consider depot driving to be equal to main line driving, so only just passing assessments at a level for depot driving would not be good enough for a main line role.

 

[davidbarker09]

I also had the 1st stage assessment for FGW at bristol on the 3rd at 14:45, i feel it went well, was told will hear late this week early next... not sure about that..but will keep checking the emails

 

[rkamwendo]

I jus got a call aswel for second stage in Reading... I was there on the 19th at 13:30

 

[Mark282]

Good luck all. Whats involved in round two?

 

[rkamwendo]

Good luck all. Whats involved in round two?

Reaction test and CBI
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I had the first stage assessments at Reading on the 29th May, just had a call inviting me for 2nd stage next week. I didn't expect to hear so soon.

I was there at 13:30 got 2nd stage next week on the 13th

 

[KT530]

Does anyone know if Rest Day Working is available and/or permitted at FGW?

 

[notadriver]

I would imagine it is. The only place RDW isn't permitted is the on the tube.

 

[Brunel]

I know a guy who works at OOC as a depot driver. He is transferring to mainline in September after being depot driver.

Thanks for that.

Did he have to do any additional assessments? I ask because a post elsewhere on this site suggests that FGW don't consider depot driving to be equal to main line driving, so only just passing assessments at a level for depot driving would not be good enough for a main line role.

The assessments are no different between mainline and depot. All you have to make sure is that you have a perfect driving record whilst depot driving, eg no spads, speeding etc. You can then move across.

 

[Quickthorn]

The assessments are no different between mainline and depot. All you have to make sure is that you have a perfect driving record whilst depot driving, eg no spads, speeding etc. You can then move across.

Thanks. That's useful to know.

 

[stevienash]

Got a response from my email


Thank you for your email.

We are currently waiting for the results of shortlisting from the line
manager, as soon as we have received this we will contact you by email with
the outcome of your application.

Unfortunately we do not have time scales on how long the shortlisting
takes.