First Great Western - Trainee Drivers

[Casey Jones125]

Thanks Welshjpc - that's what I figured.
I also applied for Train Manager (inspired by 'The Railway') and they've sent me practice materials, so I shall apply myself

Have booked in with Optician as seriously, my eyes haven't been the same since the GBT - I think it strained them!

Hi GG,

Keep at it, sorry to hear about your borderline pass, i was on the same table as yourself, as some one else said apply to other TOCs and quote your pass, you will hopefully then go straight to stage 2.

Regards

 

[Georgiegirl]

I shall - thankyou! And Congratulations to you!

 

[ianrambo1981]

Im booked into the assessment centre. Just wondering, I notice people talk about two assessment centres. What do both assessments involve? Im assuming the bulk of the assessments are completed in the first assessments. Is there a second assessment centre after that?

 

[SkinnyDave]

Im booked into the assessment centre. Just wondering, I notice people talk about two assessment centres. What do both assessments involve? Im assuming the bulk of the assessments are completed in the first assessments. Is there a second assessment centre after that?

Hi just go back to the first page on this thread and work from there

 

[ianrambo1981]

Tell me I cant seem to find it

 

[welshjpc]

Everything you need to know is in this thread buddy, if you haven't got the patience to trawl through this then you'll love the s-l-o-w process that is trainee train driver application!!

 

[Quickthorn]

Tell me I cant seem to find it

..or can't be bothered to look.

Everything you need to know is either in this thread or on this forum somewhere or another.

 

[ianrambo1981]

Thank you guys I've lost my patience after being incredibly patient the last few years as a teacher. Process is long and tough the telephone interview was harder than I would have expected!

 

[Downtheline]

well, things have progressed on for me...

The story so far... For all those looking for ideas on timescales and wait lengths .....

Wed 1st May 13 - applied (for close 3rd) - as internal candidate.
Wed 19th June 13 - received practice materials
Thurs 11th July 13 - got a heads up from my current manager that resourcing had emailed requesting my release for stage 1 day on Mon 15th July !
Fri 12th July 13 - rang resourcing as hadn't received any letter/email, duly got email 2 hours later.
Mon 15th July 13 - sat stage 1 (GB + TRP1&2) at Penta Hotel Reading.
Wed 4th Sept 13 - manager rang me to say resourcing had requested my release on Mon 9th for stage 2, was it ok as it was my rest day ?! "Heck yes !"
Fri 6th Sept 13 - rang resourcing first thing as had not received invite or details - emailed within minutes
Sunday 8th Sept 13 - traveled to Newport hotel, crammed on the bopit and slept !
Monday 9th Sept 13 - attended stage 2 (Reactions/Co-ordination and CBI) at Newport Assessment Centre - passed reactions, advised should hear within 1 week re CBI result.
Tues 17th Sept 13 - rang resourcing to request my online status be updated from "invited to assessment on 15th July" - advised would be updated (never were until the end) and to ask if any result from CBI - nope.
Thurs 26th Sept - heads up from my manager that she had received an email asking for her to release my the next Wed 2nd Oct for DM interview
Mon 30th Sept - rang resourcing who said they'd not had notification I was to have a DM interview !
My manager replied to her email and got the reply that I should get an email invite on Tuesday.
Tuesday 1st Oct 1505hrs I got an email invite from resourcing for a DM interview to be held just 22hrs and 55mins later!
Wednesday 2nd October - had my DM interview in Reading's Penta Hotel.

and having been told we may have to wait until Monday I was surprised that on Thursday 3rd October in the afternoon, I got a phone call to make me a conditional offer of a training place (conditional on passing medical) !

So, I'm through, just the medical to go and I don't foresee any problem there.

Very relieved and happy chappy, although my boss faces challenges staffing her ticket office, there are a few of us going through applications to move on !

Ian

 

[Sikes 88]

I hope to see you on the course downtheline as I'm awaiting medical aswell. Just a quick question though, have you received your verifile email yet and have you been given a start date.

I will be detailing my journey in the morning for those interested in the timescales.

 

[Downtheline]

I hope to see you on the course downtheline as I'm awaiting medical aswell. Just a quick question though, have you received your verifile email yet and have you been given a start date.

I will be detailing my journey in the morning for those interested in the timescales.

Hi, congratulations to you too then Sikes I see you are destined for PAD, for myself it's Reading.

Can you fill me in on the "verifile email" please? I'm an internal candidate and did go through a Disclosue Scotland check when before my employment began.
Is this something extra?

No, not got a start date. I was advised courses start nov,dec,jan,feb but that which I'm on would depend on when medical passed and release from current role. My manager has said she'll release me pronto, so that's good, the rest is still up in the air. It was only last Thursday I got the call so I expect some paperwork and details this week maybe.

Thanks

Downtheline

 

[Sikes 88]

Hi, congratulations to you too then Sikes I see you are destined for PAD, for myself it's Reading.

Can you fill me in on the "verifile email" please? I'm an internal candidate and did go through a Disclosue Scotland check when before my employment began.
Is this something extra?

No, not got a start date. I was advised courses start nov,dec,jan,feb but that which I'm on would depend on when medical passed and release from current role. My manager has said she'll release me pronto, so that's good, the rest is still up in the air. It was only last Thursday I got the call so I expect some paperwork and details this week maybe.

Thanks

Downtheline

The verifile email is what they use to check references but seeing as your internal you may not be required to do it.
I was told there are courses starting from Nov til Apr but that I should be on the Nov or Dec course.
Paddington do not have a training centre so I will be required to go to reading for it but I am not complaining.

 

[Downtheline]

The verifile email is what they use to check references but seeing as your internal you may not be required to do it.
I was told there are courses starting from Nov til Apr but that I should be on the Nov or Dec course.
Paddington do not have a training centre so I will be required to go to reading for it but I am not complaining.

Thanks, maybe I will not then.
Yes, it's fairly likely we will be on the same course then.
Reading training school is very nice, a purpose built facility, good classrooms, mess room etc plus simulators.
They told me at interview that one of the courses will be held at Bristol, I assume in the classroom at St Phillips Marsh.

I'll message you as soon as I hear anything more, feel free to do the same.

Ian

 

[SkinnyDave]

Thanks, maybe I will not then.
Yes, it's fairly likely we will be on the same course then.
Reading training school is very nice, a purpose built facility, good classrooms, mess room etc plus simulators.
They told me at interview that one of the courses will be held at Bristol, I assume in the classroom at St Phillips Marsh.

I'll message you as soon as I hear anything more, feel free to do the same.

Ian

Hi,

There is a course starting at St Phillips on 25th November

 

[Waikikibaby]

Hello,

I came across the vacancies for FGW on LinkedIn and registered on their careers website. I currently work for a FirstGroup company and have progressed from RPI to RTL to Controller and onwards all the while maintaining a driving competence although not on trains.

I applied on 19th September (just before 01:00 LOL), I was invited and took 2 online assessments (Verify Checking and Train Driver SJT) later the same day. I then had a telephone interview on 26th September and received an e-mail on 4th October asking me to choose a date for assessment centre (I've chosen Friday 18th October, the afternoon session in Reading).

I've taken lots of psychometric tests during the course of my current 14 year employment with Firstgroup so I hope this will help me out. I'm female and in my mid thirties. Not a lot scares me and I'm keen to get started but although I read through to page 20 or so of this thread, my head has started spinning and it's raising more questions than answers so I thought it best just to ask outright if anyone can help me out?

1. I've applied for Paddington, but I read somewhere that they don't have a training centre, so if I get through, will I spend the first year to 18 months training every day in Reading? (I was probably going to relocate anyway, but best to know in advance).
2. Does anyone know what the first year / 18 months salary is? I've got certain things to pay each month which will need to be modified in order to survive (I currently earn over £43K). I know it'll be a big drop but ultimately worth it in the long run.
3. I've heard that FGW train drivers work a 4 day week (once qualified) with Sundays as WRD's, is that true?

Many thanks in advance and say hi if you're attending Reading on Friday the 18th.

 

[NHG66]

See my replies below

Hello,

I came across the vacancies for FGW on LinkedIn and registered on their careers website. I currently work for a FirstGroup company and have progressed from RPI to RTL to Controller and onwards all the while maintaining a driving competence although not on trains.

I applied on 19th September (just before 01:00 LOL), I was invited and took 2 online assessments (Verify Checking and Train Driver SJT) later the same day. I then had a telephone interview on 26th September and received an e-mail on 4th October asking me to choose a date for assessment centre (I've chosen Friday 18th October, the afternoon session in Reading).

I've taken lots of psychometric tests during the course of my current 14 year employment with Firstgroup so I hope this will help me out. I'm female and in my mid thirties. Not a lot scares me and I'm keen to get started but although I read through to page 20 or so of this thread, my head has started spinning and it's raising more questions than answers so I thought it best just to ask outright if anyone can help me out?

1. I've applied for Paddington, but I read somewhere that they don't have a training centre, so if I get through, will I spend the first year to 18 months training every day in Reading? (I was probably going to relocate anyway, but best to know in advance).

You will do the first 5 months (bar 3 x 1 week slots on front end turns) at the Reading training centre then the rest of your time will be out handling for your 250 hours with a couple of times back to Reading to do Interim exams.

2. Does anyone know what the first year / 18 months salary is? I've got certain things to pay each month which will need to be modified in order to survive (I currently earn over £43K). I know it'll be a big drop but ultimately worth it in the long run.

Training pay is a lot less than your current salary and you will stay on that rate until you pass out as a qualified driver which is around 12 months from starting training then onto full whack. Once you have 5 posts PM me and I will tell you the exact rates for training and qualified pay.

3. I've heard that FGW train drivers work a 4 day week (once qualified) with Sundays as WRD's, is that true?

Yes, LTV drivers work a 4 day week, Sundays are outside the working week but you are expected to work them if you cannot get someone else to cover the turn. You will roughly get rostered for 1 in 3 Sundays, paid at time and a quarter.

Many thanks in advance and say hi if you're attending Reading on Friday the 18th.

 

[SkinnyDave]

Anyone got any idea as to how long it takes for medical to be arranged?

 

[Downtheline]

Anyone got any idea as to how long it takes for medical to be arranged?

Hi, so have you passed DM interview too then skinnydave?

Which depot are you destined for?

Sorry, no idea on how long other than a suggestion it was unlikely to be this week when they rang me last Thursday.

It was about 2 weeks when I heard I'd passed interview for my current post though.

 

[Waikikibaby]

Thank you ever so much. So much to think about but I guess I should concentrate on getting through the assessments first. I'm very excited about a potential career change after so long with my current company.
I will miss my high heels though LOL

 

[Sikes 88]

Hi everyone

This is just a quick post to give you an indication of the waiting times.

I applied for the post on the 9th of May. I was then invited to assessment on the 31st of may which I could not make so it was rescheduled for the 10th of July at penta hotel in reading.
I waited about two weeks before recieving an email saying that I was successful at assessment.
I then got invited to stage 2 assessment in Newport on the 18th Sept after the interview I was told that I had passed and that I should prepare for a dm interview.
I then sat the dm interview on the 31st Sept at novotel hotel in reading. I was then called the following day and told that I had passed. I am currently waiting to have a medical.
In total it took about 5 months from start to finish.

Good luck to all those still involved in the process

 

[rob12]

Well there are only 30 days in sept so I presume you mean either the 1st or 30th? I had my DM on the 27th of sept but not applying for reading or padd, Its the other I have gone for, Haven't heard a dickey bird although I feel I fluffed a question!!! Check my previous post :roll: so the wait goes on and on like ariston, Anybody from the 80s remember that advert think it had skeleton in it advertising video recorders.................. Aahhhh well

 

[Termy]

Just received an email informing me that I'll be sitting the NEW style assessments next Thursday! They sent me a link to new practise materials. I've never even heard of Teaocc! Now I'm even more nervous...

 

[Septus]

Just received an email informing me that I'll be sitting the NEW style assessments next Thursday! They sent me a link to new practise materials. I've never even heard of Teaocc! Now I'm even more nervous...

http://www.rssb.co.uk/sitecollectiondocuments/pdf/reports/research/T628_rpt_final.pdf

 

[Waikikibaby]

Just received an email informing me that I'll be sitting the NEW style assessments next Thursday! They sent me a link to new practise materials. I've never even heard of Teaocc! Now I'm even more nervous...

I received the same e-mail with link. The booklet seems to be twice the length (90 pages) as the other training booklet (44 pages). Eeekk, luckily my boyfriend is going to help me out this week on revising.
I'll be attending next Friday so good luck for Thursday.

 

[Sikes 88]

Thanks, maybe I will not then.
Yes, it's fairly likely we will be on the same course then.
Reading training school is very nice, a purpose built facility, good classrooms, mess room etc plus simulators.
They told me at interview that one of the courses will be held at Bristol, I assume in the classroom at St Phillips Marsh.

I'll message you as soon as I hear anything more, feel free to do the same.

Ian

I got an email today stating That my medical is on the 24th of this month at Buda in kings cross London

 

[keaneo]

Hi guys I am new to this site so please be gentle with me!! I am going for an
assessment on 18/10 in reading. I have received the email containing 90 pages to go through. Does anyone know if you do all them tests on the same day or are they split over different stages. Also does anyone know what the dress code is for the assessment, is it casual or is it as if you are going for an interview. I would appreciate any feedback.

 

[Sikes 88]

Thanks, maybe I will not then.
Yes, it's fairly likely we will be on the same course then.
Reading training school is very nice, a purpose built facility, good classrooms, mess room etc plus simulators.
They told me at interview that one of the courses will be held at Bristol, I assume in the classroom at St Phillips Marsh.

I'll message you as soon as I hear anything more, feel free to do the same.

Ian

I got an email today stating That my medical is on the 24th of this month at Bupa in kings cross London

 

[Downtheline]

Sikes 88 - excellent, hopefully I'll get a mail with my medical date soon then.

 

[Termy]

Hi guys I am new to this site so please be gentle with me!! I am going for an
assessment on 18/10 in reading. I have received the email containing 90 pages to go through. Does anyone know if you do all them tests on the same day or are they split over different stages. Also does anyone know what the dress code is for the assessment, is it casual or is it as if you are going for an interview. I would appreciate any feedback.

The email referenced a Stage 2, so I will assume they are still being split like before. As for the dress code... I'm really not sure. I'm going to be attending in shirt and smart clothes just to be on the safe side. Good luck!

 

[PeteH]

Always dress to impress.

Suit, tie, no creases, polished shoes. Should be bloody obvious when trying to get a job.