First Great Western - Trainee Drivers

[Twoonthebuzzer]

I had my DM interview yesterday. I felt it went ok. Had a phone call this morning saying I was successful. Medical next week. They aren't hanging around!

Well Done mate. What depot is that for?

 

[gb76]

Well Done mate. What depot is that for?

Thanks, I have got Bristol.

 

[ultra4]

I had my DM interview yesterday. I felt it went ok. Had a phone call this morning saying I was successful. Medical next week. They aren't hanging around!

well done!

 

[bacooke1987]

Well done pal

 

[james956]

We'll done to those of you that got the all clear from your telephone interviews so quickly! Had mine yesterday afternoon but heard nothing back yet which probably isn't a good sign! Fingers crossed though.

 

[Ramage570]

Got my conditional offer today as well. Med next week start january. Finally the finish line is in sight!!

 

[Trne123]

Got my conditional offer today as well. Med next week start january. Finally the finish line is in sight!!

Congratulations!

Which depot are you headed for?

 

[gb76]

Got my conditional offer today as well. Med next week start january. Finally the finish line is in sight!!

Congrats will hopefully see you in jan.

Thanks to the guys above as well for the nice words

 

[Bluebri]

Hi everyone. I had my Telephone Interview yesterday afternoon. I was told amongst the things they were looking for in the interview, important areas were Safety and Commitment. The area of questioning were giving examples of my Motivation, Competency relevant to the role and Verbal Communication skills i.e. Customer Service. I was told it could last up to 45 minutes, but it lasted only 15 minutes. The girl told me it normally takes up to 4 weeks, but that assessment centre dates were available in two weeks, so I may hear before.

I am hopeful that is a positive sign, but thought the info may help others.

 

[Ramage570]

Congratulations!

Which depot are you headed for?

Oxford.

 

[Jarnsaxa]

Hi everyone.

I had my second assessment centre earlier this week and felt it went well. I received an email yesterday saying ''Confirmation that you have booked your interview at 11:30 on 6th of December... etc''... Does this mean I have made it through to the dm interview? I was confused because I definitely haven't booked myself that time. And that is the only correspondence that I've had from FGW. There was no 'Congratulations you passed the structured interview!'

Also another thing that made me unsure was that my status on the careers website for the application is now listed as: considered for alternative role.
What do those who have been through the process think is going on?

 

[Johncleesefan]

Id phone the hr number. It could be a bodge on the system. It happened to me after firat assessment I was asked to book anpther telephone interview. Im still waiting for stage 2 mmi result I sat earlier thos month

 

[988trader]

Finally got my stage 2 invite, booked it!.. However there was no practice material this time round emailed? does that mean there is no practice material???#

 

[Waikikibaby]

The practice material is in the first booklet, it's about half way through and starts with computer based tests (3 to complete). They give you alternative ideas to practice on seeing as it's highly unlikely we'd have one of the specialised computers.

 

[tlionhart]

I got the invite to stage 2. I can't make any of the dates. So clicked the link about not being able to make any of their assessment dates. Have I blown my opportunity?

 

[455driver]

I got the invite to stage 2. I can't make any of the dates. So clicked the link about not being able to make any of their assessment dates. Have I blown my opportunity?

Possibly, if you cant make yourself available for one of the dates than how are you going to be available for the shifts you will have to work.

They are likely to offer you alternative dates if there are any but if not you will be 'filed'.

 

[tlionhart]

You can't compare the reason why I can't attend the assessment date to the job itself. I have reasons why I can't attend and I don't get where you have sourced your information to me that I would be unable to do the shift work required. I've taken a step back from this, if they contact me with additional dates for stage 2 then great if not, it's not the end.

 

[DRFT101]

You can't compare the reason why I can't attend the assessment date to the job itself. I have reasons why I can't attend and I don't get where you have sourced your information to me that I would be unable to do the shift work required. I've taken a step back from this, if they contact me with additional dates for stage 2 then great if not, it's not the end.

I also find it tricky to attend all the assessments required - nothing to do with my ability to be flexible and work shifts. Some TOCs appear to be slightly better than others, but certainly with the number of candidates they will always be able to get enough people at the various sessions.

 

[Daveg72]

Hi All,
I have a Driver Manager interview booked in for next week in Reading. Would really have preferred a Trainee position in Bristol as I live a lot closer to Bristol than Reading but I don't think that there is any space left.

Does anyone know what to expect in the DM interviews?

 

[Twoonthebuzzer]

Got a conditional job offer for Bristol today, pending a medical which should be Ok.

Absolutely over the moon. A boyhood dream come true. Plan to spend the rest of my working life in this role.

Start in April.

 

[Johncleesefan]

well done and best of luck, bet youre chuffed!
on a different note, has anyone had any contact from FGW regarding stage 2 assessments in Swindon from NOV 11, 12 and 13. Just MMI results I'm waiting for, not heard a squeak out of them since sitting it

 

[tone]

Possibly, if you cant make yourself available for one of the dates than how are you going to be available for the shifts you will have to work.

They are likely to offer you alternative dates if there are any but if not you will be 'filed'.

Heh. Its like...

Can you make the assessment dates? No. Reason: commitment to employer.
Will you be available to work shifts? yes. Reason: commitment to employer

As if you can book in for a 0300 assessment...

 

[ultra4]

Hi All,
I have a Driver Manager interview booked in for next week in Reading. Would really have preferred a Trainee position in Bristol as I live a lot closer to Bristol than Reading but I don't think that there is any space left.

Does anyone know what to expect in the DM interviews?

when was your stg2 assessment?

 

[Twoonthebuzzer]

Hi All,
I have a Driver Manager interview booked in for next week in Reading. Would really have preferred a Trainee position in Bristol as I live a lot closer to Bristol than Reading but I don't think that there is any space left.

Does anyone know what to expect in the DM interviews?

Scenario based questions where you have gained certain experience in your life relevant to the role of Train Driver.

Also questions about FGW and questions about your knowledge of a train driver.

 

[SkinnyDave]

Got a conditional job offer for Bristol today, pending a medical which should be Ok.

Absolutely over the moon. A boyhood dream come true. Plan to spend the rest of my working life in this role.

Start in April.

Well done and welcome to the driving grade

 

[Daveg72]

when was your stg2 assessment?

My stage 2 assessment in was in Reading on Wed 20th and I got the email saying I passed on Friday 29th.

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Scenario based questions where you have gained certain experience in your life relevant to the role of Train Driver.

Also questions about FGW and questions about your knowledge of a train driver.

Thanks.
Well done on getting the place in Bristol. April seems a long way off though.

 

[Twoonthebuzzer]

I'm internal and have booked a month off in March for paternity leave. They didn't want me to start the course until after my time off as I wouldn't be able to be absent from the course for that length of time, understandably.

 

[Daveg72]

I'm internal and have booked a month off in March for paternity leave. They didn't want me to start the course until after my time off as I wouldn't be able to be absent from the course for that length of time, understandably.

Two great things to look forward to in 2014 then!
Well done and good luck.

 

[tlionhart]

Heh. Its like...

Can you make the assessment dates? No. Reason: commitment to employer.
Will you be available to work shifts? yes. Reason: commitment to employer

As if you can book in for a 0300 assessment...

Exactly my point. Not everyone works 9-5. I'm not even in the country (work) during the available assessment dates. Very few dates to choose from. I can only remain optimistic. I found out that they are still going to be sitting candidates for stage 1. So perhaps I'll be on the stage 2 with them in the new year?

 

[Kringle]

Hi all!

Long time lurker first time poster here

I had an interview for trainee driver based at Westbury, back in September and had a conditional offer followed by a medical on the 22nd November.
I'm supposed to start on the 6th of Jan but i've still not heard any more, like where to go or what times etc. Anyone else here starting soon?

It's more of a concern to me because i'll be moving over 160 miles and I need to get my accomodation in order! Gulp!

Best of luck to those applying and congrats to those who've made it!

Kringle