First Great Western - Trainee Drivers

[ultra4]

Assessment centre today, a mixed bag felt I did good on everything except the TRP Part 1.

Mine is tomorrow and TRP1 is what stresses me out the most.
Did you have a difficult subject i.e. lots of technical terms, jargon?

 

[Rocombe11]

Anyone from the Bristol tests taken in june and then put on hold heard back at all, or is this all still on hold?

 

[Scaramanga]

I had an email yesterday (a year to the day from passing stage 1) that the recruitment campaign was on hold until further notice. Thanks FGW!! Very prompt.

 

[welshjpc]

What? A YEAR? I've been waiting for three weeks since my DM interview and it's killing me. Where did you apply for Scara?

 

[455driver]

I had an email yesterday (a year to the day from passing stage 1) that the recruitment campaign was on hold until further notice. Thanks FGW!! Very prompt.

If you are not happy withdraw your application!

 

[welshjpc]

That's a bit of a throwaway comment 455, you are lucky enough to already be in the job. Can you remember when you applied for your position? It is a hell of a process.
In any career path, a year is a long time to wait for an application. TOCs are in a comfortable position that they can drag things on and people will obviously just hold on in desperation to join a chosen few.

 

[455driver]

That's a bit of a throwaway comment 455, you are lucky enough to already be in the job. Can you remember when you applied for your position? It is a hell of a process.
In any career path, a year is a long time to wait for an application. TOCs are in a comfortable position that they can drag things on and people will obviously just hold on in desperation to join a chosen few.

yeah I know it is, it took well over a year for me as well but moaning about it wont make it happen any faster, either accept it or get out of it.

I have known qualified drivers take over a year when applying to other TOCs as well, it is just the way it is, I dont agree with it but there we are.

Glaciers move faster than rail recruitment.

 

[welshjpc]

So we're on the same song sheet then, that's good. I agree that moaning doesn't speed things up but sometimes a bit of a grump might help vent some frustration.

I don't doubt that the wait / frustration / infuriation / confusion / despair / blind optimism / pessimism etc will be worth it, however it still is an emotional rollercoaster isn't it?

 

[455driver]

however it still is an emotional rollercoaster isn't it?

Hell yes, sometimes I think its a deliberate ploy to see how determined you are.

 

[Scaramanga]

Not unhappy at all my friend, just passing comment on how prompt the reply was. Excellent.

Applied for Bristol matey.

 

[ianrambo1981]

Well I passed stage one so all that worry about trp1 was for nothing but I was convinced I did pants it was quite technical and every multiple choice option seemed very similar. Without knowing what the pass mark is though difficult to know what is deemed good or bad. I'm assuming stage 2 will be new tests as well.

 

[ultra4]

Well I passed stage one so all that worry about trp1 was for nothing but I was convinced I did pants it was quite technical and every multiple choice option seemed very similar. Without knowing what the pass mark is though difficult to know what is deemed good or bad. I'm assuming stage 2 will be new tests as well.

You know already? They said 2 wks minimum for the results.
How you feeling before MMInterview?

 

[SkinnyDave]

Out of interest, have any of the applicants that went for Westbury and Gloucester heard anything back after first assessment?

 

[Downtheline]

Hi all. I have my medical tomorrow in Bristol.
Has anyone had it recently, how long will it take roughly?
Couple of hours top?
Thanks

 

[SkinnyDave]

Hi all. I have my medical tomorrow in Bristol.
Has anyone had it recently, how long will it take roughly?
Couple of hours top?
Thanks

Hi Mate,

I'm still awaiting confirmation all is ok
Does take couple of hours yeah, first part with nurse then Doctor sees you

 

[Downtheline]

Hi Mate,

I'm still awaiting confirmation all is ok
Does take couple of hours yeah, first part with nurse then Doctor sees you

Thanks Dave.
Almost there matey!

 

[SkinnyDave]

Thanks Dave.
Almost there matey!

Have the told you what course you will be on?

 

[Downtheline]

Have the told you what course you will be on?

Not yet. My manager has said she could release me for the one starting 18/11
though. Resourcing told me it would be decided by the training school after my med result as to when and where. I have expressed a strong preference for a Reading course though if possible.

Will let you know !

 

[SkinnyDave]

Cool good luck

Remember and cough exactly when she asks you to

 

[Maybe]

Good Evening all, first post for me.

However I have been a quiet lurker for some time looking for assistance through my application.

I have recently attended a second stage assessment with FGW, and passed the reaction test with a good pass.

I then had my structured interview which felt like an interrogation to be honest. However it was consistent.

I am not going to reveal the depot, as although it is unlikely I don't want to get tracked down by any snoopers and have what I say put against me.

However myself and the rest of the stage 2 test subjects where informed that certain depots where previously on hold for different reasons, however this has now been changed and they are looking for drivers in all depots.

Also recieved my results from my first stage.

We where informed that you where marked as a percentage against everyone else who took the same test as you at the same time. So for example if when sitting your first stage assessment there are 30 people, your score will be compared to the others and your result/pass mark will depend on everyone else's score.

I never received this, however FGW are going to be putting people forward to the second stage who received borderline passes on a specific test from the first stage, however this was not elaborated on.

As of next week the whole recruitment procedure is to change inline with new industry training and recruitment.

Those who have failed the driver trainee test twice before, will be allowed another two shots due to the structure and testing changing significantly.

Apologise if this has already been covered, but considering there are nearly 60 pages I didn't fancy reading through them all, plus it does give the info a bump for anybody just looking.

Good luck to everyone who has applied.

 

[Downtheline]

Cool good luck

Remember and cough exactly when she asks you to

I coughed at the wrong time 3 times, then she realised I was doing it on purpose

Passed, fully fit, just have to await the drug test now. Formality, although they may think I'm a lemsip addict after this weekend.

Tip for those yet to go - take your eyesight / glasses prescription if you have one, doc was well chuffed I had, apparently many don't and it delays things.
I'm not sure any of the paperwork says to take it.

DTL

 

[SkinnyDave]

I coughed at the wrong time 3 times, then she realised I was doing it on purpose

Passed, fully fit, just have to await the drug test now. Formality, although they may think I'm a lemsip addict after this weekend.

Tip for those yet to go - take your eyesight / glasses prescription if you have one, doc was well chuffed I had, apparently many don't and it delays things.
I'm not sure any of the paperwork says to take it.

DTL

Doesn't say on paperwork it is because FGW have asked for them to do new European medical.

 

[Gliderider]

Avoid poppy seeds in bread/muffins for a few days before the medical as it flags up as an opiate in the drugs screen!

 

[EvoIV]

Tip for those yet to go - take your eyesight / glasses prescription if you have one, doc was well chuffed I had, apparently many don't and it delays things.
I'm not sure any of the paperwork says to take it.
DTL

Just out of interest, did they check your unaided visual acuity? I'm just curious as to whether they're just following the new Euro TDLCR standard or are applying some hybrid system of new and old. The RGS haven't been updated yet to match the TDLCR so in theory I'd have thought that the old standard must still be met for now.

 

[Downtheline]

Just out of interest, did they check your unaided visual acuity? I'm just curious as to whether they're just following the new Euro TDLCR standard or are applying some hybrid system of new and old. The RGS haven't been updated yet to match the TDLCR so in theory I'd have thought that the old standard must still be met for now.

Hi.

The nurse checked both aided and unaided. However, I think they were only interested in whether you met the standards aided, ie with your glasses on.
It was the normal tests, hold a sheet of writing close up and then at arms length and read smallest sentence size you can. Then read lit up rows of letters in mirror reflection, one eye at time with and without glasses going to smallest row size you can.

She did mention something else about a slight change in testing to do with harmonisation with European standards, if I recall correctly it was while I was having the ECG.

The doctor studied the eye test results and did ask if I had brought the prescription, this I believe does now need to be seen and documented as seen as part of the new system.

I'm happy to say my eyes are well within standard without aid, just a slight astigmatism in one eye which gave me slight headaches as a software developer but they both said I really didn't need to wear them all the time, I just find it less hassle than putting on and off all the time.

Anyway, my thoughts on what is / is not required are just my take from the day, I may be incorrect, I'd suggest anyone with concerns just calls BUPA / relevant body that sets the standards and ask.

The other tests were :

Hearing : listening to high pitch tones fading in and out and pressing button when you can hear.
Movement: various arm and leg and back & neck movements to check for any limitations.
Balance: standing still feet together eyes closed. Walking a line toe to toe.
Standing on one leg.
Hand eye co-ordination: touch nose, then his finger and back repeatedly with one eye closed as he moved his finger about.
Memory: tells you a name and address verbally as you enter the room, asks you to tell him at the end.
Blood pressure / pulse etc - the normal machine and arm wrap set up !
ECG: hooked up to machine with wires and measured for a minute.
Urine test: pick sample containers, part fill beaker, she dip tests it for sugar levels etc, tests for temperature too, the rest gets sent away for the drug test.

I think that was all.

It took about 2 hours top including a wait between nurse and doctor.

DTL

 

[Termy]

Thought I'd say, having done the Stage 1 Assessments last Thursday, 17th October 2013 at 14:00 in Reading... I passed! Totally looking forward to Stage 2! And happy they emailed me after only six days. Expected a two week wait.
Anyone else from that Thursday afternoon here?

 

[ultra4]

Thought I'd say, having done the Stage 1 Assessments last Thursday, 17th October 2013 at 14:00 in Reading... I passed! Totally looking forward to Stage 2! And happy they emailed me after only six days. Expected a two week wait.
Anyone else from that Thursday afternoon here?

I did mine one Thursday, but in the morning. Got email today at 16:56 confirming PASS.
Very happy, however nervous before Stage 2. Just don't know what to expect at MMInterview. Reaction test should go fine.

 

[Termy]

I did mine one Thursday, but in the morning. Got email today at 16:56 confirming PASS.
Very happy, however nervous before Stage 2. Just don't know what to expect at MMInterview. Reaction test should go fine.

I know how you feel! Apparently got the email at 16:39, however I was at work till 22:30, so I only got it then. Was very nearly dancing in the passenger seat of my colleague's car as he gave me a lift home. xD

 

[Maybe]

I know how you feel! Apparently got the email at 16:39, however I was at work till 22:30, so I only got it then. Was very nearly dancing in the passenger seat of my colleague's car as he gave me a lift home. xD

Best of luck, I am tentatively waiting to hear back regarding my structured interview. Have the feeling it didn't go to well, but told should hear back by Friday.

 

[Waikikibaby]

If Thursdays candidates heard yesterday then I'm hoping I'll hear today (I did mine Friday). It's winding me up in knots and the thought of having to wait till next week is unbearable.
Well done to all of Thursday passes, have a great day and I hope you hear about assessment 2 soon.