First Great Western - Trainee Drivers

[rob12]

I was told that I had passed the CBI there and then, The lady finished the last question I answered and she said '' I can tell you that you passed'', I then had manager interview on the 2nd October and have heard nothing since, not a word so I am in total limbo at the moment, wondering if any body has been given the nod for oxford yet??? And honestly mate I found the manager interview a lot harder than the CBI, the questions and setting for the DM was tough in my opinion

 

[keaneo]

No news today. I know there's normally a long wait list to hear but everything so far has happened so quickly. Applied online 19th September and was sitting assessment 1 a month later. Fingers crossed for tomorrow then LOL

Hi, I was there on the Friday just wondering have you heard anything yet as I am still awaiting results. Good luck and hope you have passed and keeping fingers and toes crossed.

 

[Waikikibaby]

Hi, nope, still no news as yet. Technically we still have until Wednesday to find out (up to 7 working days) but those that took their assessment on the Thursday had already found out by last Wednesday / Thursday.

We had a good group of people on the Friday, I hope we all get through

Fingers and toes crossed for tomorrow then LOL

 

[vanesy01]

Just to put it in perspective for you guys n gals waiting to hear ...... it took me 1 year and 21 days from applying to hearing I had the job
Those who moan about waiting a week over the date they gave you to hear have some patience for gods sake
It will drive u nuts I agree but just chill out .... it will be worth the wait

 

[Maybe]

I have patience that's not the issue, however if you are told that you will hear back by a certain date it is courteous to provide at least so e form of communication. I went 3 months before waiting to hear I had a date for my second stage assessment and was given 2 days notice to make a trip to Newport from Newcastle.

 

[DunfordBridge]

I have patience that's not the issue, however if you are told that you will hear back by a certain date it is courteous to provide at least so e form of communication. I went 3 months before waiting to hear I had a date for my second stage assessment and was given 2 days notice to make a trip to Newport from Newcastle.

Far from ideal. I never applied for Great Western because I thought there might have been some kind of depot restriction depending on how far you lived from the depot. Might need a chaser with HR (not the alcoholic kind). Are you in the rail industry at the moment, by any chance?

 

[Maybe]

Not at this moment in time, not long left a not so reputable company, (gardenin leave) well screwed over. Have an open and shut case to take them to a tribunal, but I'm not stupid. Too gain a few grand and become blacklisted is not worth it.

Certain members of the management team where I worked before know that I have an Ace up my sleeve and are more than willing to provide me with a good reference so I can move on, and they in turn can put this behind them.

I had previously been a guard for 9 years.

 

[jaarus]

Is anyone else in the same boat as me.... successfully passed Stage 1 last month (sat on 12th Sept, notified 2nd Oct) in Bristol and am now awaiting the nod from FGW to book my Stage 2?

I know its a bit of a waiting game but as several people from my Stage 1 tranche were invited to book their Stage 2 last week... I cant help but feel I may have been forgotten about LOL!


So is anyone else in the same boat or am I truly 'billy no mates'?

 

[Casey Jones125]

Is anyone else in the same boat as me.... successfully passed Stage 1 last month (sat on 12th Sept, notified 2nd Oct) in Bristol and am now awaiting the nod from FGW to book my Stage 2?

I know its a bit of a waiting game but as several people from my Stage 1 tranche were invited to book their Stage 2 last week... I cant help but feel I may have been forgotten about LOL!


So is anyone else in the same boat or am I truly 'billy no mates'?

I am still waiting Jaarus!

 

[DunfordBridge]

Not at this moment in time, not long left a not so reputable company, (gardenin leave) well screwed over. Have an open and shut case to take them to a tribunal, but I'm not stupid. Too gain a few grand and become blacklisted is not worth it.

Certain members of the management team where I worked before know that I have an Ace up my sleeve and are more than willing to provide me with a good reference so I can move on, and they in turn can put this behind them.

I had previously been a guard for 9 years.

All the best with your application to FGW. Hope you find out about your CBI result soon.

 

[Sikes 88]

Contract in the post and given a start date. I can't wait

 

[Aviator88]

It will drive u nuts I agree but just chill out .... it will be worth the wait

Not for me!

Been a couple of months since I attended the CBI, heard nothing and my status on the careers website changed to 'did not attend'.

No response from FGW despite numerous attempts to contact them.

 

[KT530]

I am not quite sure as to whether or not you are talking about the new Multi-Modal Interview or the traditional structured interview otherwise known as the Criteria Based Interview as I understand that October was the transition period. If it is the CBI, I may not be of much assistance as I failed it little more than a month ago and I did not perform particularly well. My interview was conducted by the OPC rather than internally with the FOC, Freightliner.

Admittedly, I would not want you to get the job before me but being a resident Northerner, I would be unlikely to pass automated short-listing for First Great Western living several hours away from just about any of their depots. I have got another five months of my six month ban to go in any case.

Distance is not an issue with them, as long as you can show them you are serious about relocating. I was 11 weeks from initial application to job offer and was a relocator.

Get your app in after the 6 months!

 

[DunfordBridge]

Distance is not an issue with them, as long as you can show them you are serious about relocating. I was 11 weeks from initial application to job offer and was a relocator.

Get your app in after the 6 months!

Thanks KT530, that opens up another option. I may yet go to South Wales again.

Transpennine Express and Hull Trains always seem to assign a lot of importance to the question about travelling distance to the depot. I believe that my application to Manchester was rejected immediately on account of the distance from Scarborough in the absence of provision of further direct feedback.

 

[Georgiegirl]

Just to say that I had a borderline pass in Bristol in September, but continued with my Train Manager application.
I went to Plymouth for that - and enjoyed(!) it - well, not quite the right word, but hey!
I got an email this week to say I'd passed full assessment and now await an interview date. So, fingers crossed that the interview goes well and maybe I'll see some of you one day

Good Luck with your quest!

 

[SkinnyDave]

Well done Georgie, what depot will you be based at if successful?

 

[jaarus]

I am still waiting Jaarus!

Great stuff!
.....er.....well you know what I mean. At least its not just me
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Just to say that I had a borderline pass in Bristol in September, but continued with my Train Manager application.
I went to Plymouth for that - and enjoyed(!) it - well, not quite the right word, but hey!
I got an email this week to say I'd passed full assessment and now await an interview date. So, fingers crossed that the interview goes well and maybe I'll see some of you one day

Good Luck with your quest!

Thats fantastic news - really pleased for you. Hope your eyes have recovered from GB now LOL!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---




Nooooooo!!!!! Just got the email from FGW and its not what I was expecting


In September you passed first stage of the Trainee Trainer Driver assessment with First Great Western. We'd like to let you know that we're currently planning second stage assessments for new trainee drivers to join us over the next 18 months. We hope to next be in contact in the New Year to arrange your second stage assessment .

In the meantime, thank you again for attending the first stage.

 

[Johncleesefan]

Ahh man that sucks. Sorry to year that jaarus. Hopefully soon they'll arrange it for u. Il be keepibg posted on what the new style assessments are like

 

[jaarus]

Thanks will be appreciated.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Downtheline]

Contract in the post and given a start date. I can't wait

Great news Sikes.

I just had a call from recruitment, passed the medical/drugs test fine.
I was told I should get contract/starting instructions in email/post in next few days to start on the 18th November - have to wait to see where that will be !

You starting the same day?

DTL

 

[Casey Jones125]

Thanks will be appreciated.

Best of luck to you.

Just had my email, i am in the same boat as you!

 

[17ss05]

Anybody confirmed starting on the 25th November course?

 

[SkinnyDave]

Yeah I'll be there

 

[keaneo]

Hi, nope, still no news as yet. Technically we still have until Wednesday to find out (up to 7 working days) but those that took their assessment on the Thursday had already found out by last Wednesday / Thursday.

We had a good group of people on the Friday, I hope we all get through

Fingers and toes crossed for tomorrow then LOL

Hi, Just had an email confirming I have passed stage 1 but can not give any details as yet when stage 2 will be. I hope you have passed as well will keep my fingers crossed for you. Good Luck

 

[Maybe]

Have just spoken to HR and apparently they are processing through some results as we speak. So if anyone is waiting to hear back then keep your eyes posted on your email. I am awaiting to hear back on my CBI so am hoping mine is amongst them.

Good luck to anyone who is still waiting

 

[Georgiegirl]

Thanks Dave (or should I call you skinny?!) I originally applied for Train Manager, so I'm pleased that I passed!

I have applied for Bristol TM but let HR know that I'm entirely flexible and would look at any depot. Except Paddington, because I can't afford a house within an hour of there

The Train Manager assessment was reasonably similar to Driver I thought - except there were ticket prices / discount / validations to go through instead of dials(!) and personally I felt that the SCAAT test was less challenging for my brain than the GB. I don't know if this is the case though, or whether it just suited my brain better.

After the Driver assessment I honestly thought I had damaged my eyes! I freaked out and went to the optician after 2 weeks of panicking and he decided my eyesight was excellent and my colourvision great - so as well as stopping me panicking about going blind(!) it also means I feel a lot more confident if I am lucky enough to get to the 'medical' stage.

Anyhow - stay in touch and maybe see you at a depot one day
GG

 

[Sikes 88]

Great news Sikes.

I just had a call from recruitment, passed the medical/drugs test fine.
I was told I should get contract/starting instructions in email/post in next few days to start on the 18th November - have to wait to see where that will be !

You starting the same day?

DTL

Yhh I'm on the 18th aswell. What depot did you apply for?
I believe the course is in reading

 

[SkinnyDave]

Thanks Dave (or should I call you skinny?!) I originally applied for Train Manager, so I'm pleased that I passed!

I have applied for Bristol TM but let HR know that I'm entirely flexible and would look at any depot. Except Paddington, because I can't afford a house within an hour of there

The Train Manager assessment was reasonably similar to Driver I thought - except there were ticket prices / discount / validations to go through instead of dials(!) and personally I felt that the SCAAT test was less challenging for my brain than the GB. I don't know if this is the case though, or whether it just suited my brain better.

After the Driver assessment I honestly thought I had damaged my eyes! I freaked out and went to the optician after 2 weeks of panicking and he decided my eyesight was excellent and my colourvision great - so as well as stopping me panicking about going blind(!) it also means I feel a lot more confident if I am lucky enough to get to the 'medical' stage.

Anyhow - stay in touch and maybe see you at a depot one day
GG

Dave is fine as as name on here doesn't necessarily equal reality

Good luck with rest of process

 

[Waikikibaby]

Hi, Just had an email confirming I have passed stage 1 but can not give any details as yet when stage 2 will be. I hope you have passed as well will keep my fingers crossed for you. Good Luck

Yes, thank goodness. Got my e-mail this morning confirming that I'd passed stage 1 but no dates as yet for stage 2. If the rest of this thread is anything to go by then I guess recruitment could be stretched out over the next 18 months?

I've applied for Paddington and during my phone interview I was told that there were current vacancies, so I'm not sure if the 18 months is for everyone or just certain depots. I'm just glad to have passed, I can relax now and just wait for stage 2. I'm so glad you got through as well, I wonder how many of us Friday people got through?

 

[Maybe]

Congrats on those that have got the job, chuffed for you. Can those that have got through please tell me what the reference procedure is like, as on the application you had to give a fair bit of employment history. Do they pick two at random, or do they ask you to provide two references?

-----

Found out I passed my CBI today after a two week wait, so now just waiting for a date for my DTM interview for Bristol.

As much as I would like to see some movement, cannot imagine anything happening before the new year now.