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First Great Western - Trainee Drivers

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Rocombe11

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455driver said:
Of course the big question is why you want to work at Bristol when you live near Exeter?
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Like I said it was just a thought.

In answer to the "big question", I would move for the job, I have previously lived in Guildford, Derby, Plymouth and Manchester, for my work. Kids have grown up and left home, so I dont need to consider them anymore (in fact I would be following one of them to Bristol).
 
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skjonesfamily

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Not sure about this 6 month limit on the talent pool, I had my interview in August 2014 and was told in the interview the Job i was being interviewed for was not untill 2015, so this would mean they new from the word go i would be waiting well over 6 months, also ive had a email from HR in response to me asking when we will find out if we have a job, and was told all will be revealed to successful candidates in a couple of weeks.
 
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Rocombe11

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skjonesfamily said:
Not sure about this 6 month limit on the talent pool, I had my interview in August 2014 and was told in the interview the Job i was being interviewed for was not untill 2015, so this would mean they new from the word go i would be waiting well over 6 months, also ive had a email from HR in response to me asking when we will find out if we have a job, and was told all will be revealed to successful candidates in a couple of weeks.
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So we may be told by the end of January if we have jobs?
 
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oxoneil

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skjonesfamily said:
Not sure about this 6 month limit on the talent pool, I had my interview in August 2014 and was told in the interview the Job i was being interviewed for was not untill 2015, so this would mean they new from the word go i would be waiting well over 6 months, also ive had a email from HR in response to me asking when we will find out if we have a job, and was told all will be revealed to successful candidates in a couple of weeks.
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Mmm that's very interesting, will be nice to know whichever way it goes tbh. I take it that was from someone in Aberdeen?
 
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russmcp

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I do hope so. The wait has been a long one. Fingers crossed for those of you who got this far
 
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Driverb

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I suppose that ties in with what was said the other day about vacancies coming up in April/May time...... We shall see
 
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skjonesfamily

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Rocombe11 said:
So we may be told by the end of January if we have jobs?
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Well, my email said a couple of weeks so i usually dont take that to actually be 2 weeks it usually isnt, but who knows lets hope it is. Also i found it interesting the way the email was put to me, "we will let successful candidates know in a couple of weeks" i thought considering i had passed my manager interview i was already a successfull candidate just awaiting a start date.
 
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oxoneil

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skjonesfamily said:
Well, my email said a couple of weeks so i usually dont take that to actually be 2 weeks it usually isnt, but who knows lets hope it is. Also i found it interesting the way the email was put to me, "we will let successful candidates know in a couple of weeks" i thought considering i had passed my manager interview i was already a successfull candidate just awaiting a start date.
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One issue I can foresee is that say there is only one vacancy at a depot and 4 people have applied to go there well clearly not everyone is going to be a "successful candidate." I reckon there are a lot of people who have passed DM interview who aren't going to be offered a medical.
 
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Rocombe11

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oxoneil said:
One issue I can foresee is that say there is only one vacancy at a depot and 4 people have applied to go there well clearly not everyone is going to be a "successful candidate." I reckon there are a lot of people who have passed DM interview who aren't going to be offered a medical.
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That may well be the case, however as by all accounts they are still putting people through the tests, there will be more than one course before they complete their recruitment drive. People not called forward this time may be called forward for the next course. It will depend on how FGW decide to select from the talent pool, chronological entry into the pool, or how you scored throughout the assessment process, or some other method, no one knows. But it will be good to see some movement.
 
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oxoneil

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Rocombe11 said:
That may well be the case, however as by all accounts they are still putting people through the tests, there will be more than one course before they complete their recruitment drive. People not called forward this time may be called forward for the next course. It will depend on how FGW decide to select from the talent pool, chronological entry into the pool, or how you scored throughout the assessment process, or some other method, no one knows. But it will be good to see some movement.
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Agreed, hopefully exciting times ahead.
 
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tlionhart

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23 Dec 2011
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Rocombe11 said:
That may well be the case, however as by all accounts they are still putting people through the tests, there will be more than one course before they complete their recruitment drive. People not called forward this time may be called forward for the next course. It will depend on how FGW decide to select from the talent pool, chronological entry into the pool, or how you scored throughout the assessment process, or some other method, no one knows. But it will be good to see some movement.
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I would say first come first served. When I last spoke to them, they said' myself and 11 others are placed on hold' (we were the first batch) as soon as courses start which should be SEPT 2014 we will contact you. That's why I'm a strong believer in everything is running slow and patience is required. The greatest bonus is my mate was on the course ahead of me so has kept me updated. Even they agreed its running slow, by doing front ends for the last few months and expected to continue until March, when DIs will be available.
Some depots clearly have a larger intake than others. Reading and Oxford seem to take the most. Some of the Oxford successful candidates were offered Reading as an alternative as Oxford met the quota. I don't know if there is anyone on hold for this depot? The impression I get there is a few for Paddington, Bristol, Glos and Westbury.
Either way, looks promising and intrigued to see what happens over the coming months!
 
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tlionhart

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ml said:
AFAIK they always want a few internals on a course
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Perhaps we find out once stage 2 or DM is completed by those going through the process? Think a few internals appeared on here. So perhaps we find out once that's done?
 
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jaarus

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27 Aug 2013
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Hi all,

Does anyone know where the assessment centre is located at Swindon Station?


Not familiar with Swindon Station and would prefer to avoid frantically rushing around looking for it!



Many thanks
 
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tlionhart

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jaarus said:
Hi all,

Does anyone know where the assessment centre is located at Swindon Station?


Not familiar with Swindon Station and would prefer to avoid frantically rushing around looking for it!



Many thanks
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Just follow the instructions on your invite. Usually you just present the invitation to the gate staff and they instruct you. Then you wait and someone comes down and collects the candidates from the customer waiting area. Shouting 'trainee train driver assesment' lol
I remember there being an information desk and the guy said he will phone them. You can also work out who's on the assesment too, so try and stick with them. The HR like to start promptly.
Then your ushered to the building. As jigsaw from Saw says "let the games begin"
Make sure your there early and give yourself plenty of time. I stayed in Swindon overnight (never been Swindon before) and from the car park I had no idea where the station entrance was!!

Is this for stage 1 or 2 of your assesment? When is your assesment?
 
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jaarus

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Great - many thanks

I am aiming to get there very early indeed having checked the weather.... its forecast for heavy snow overnight.
Hopefully that way, if there are any issues with transport I will at least have some time to consider alternative options.


This is a Stage 1 Assessment.
I actually sat and passed Stage 1 previously (end of 2013), but due to the length of time since, I have been asked to retake it.
....Well, I was initially advised when calling that it's very unlikely that I would need to resit as already have a pass showing on the system. So at the time (this was over Christmas - not many in obviously) this was explained as a bit of overlap/eagerness to get invites out to candidates.
But I wanted to make sure (as wasn't really given a definitive answer on whether or not I do need to retake it) so I called HR a few times and spoke to various people and was then advised (last week) that as it has changed from the one I sat, that FGW do require me to resit.


Now I am just really hoping I pass it a second time..... eek!
 
Johncleesefan

Johncleesefan

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4 Sep 2013
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Best of luck ?????? jaarus. Like lionheart I too stayed overnight the night before Gascony never been. Station was easy enough to find.i got there nearly 2 hours before hand lol. I went straight to the first guy in uniform and showed him my printed email confirmation of the assessment. Nice bunch of folk from what I remember. Hope u pass again man. U definitely deserve too. ??????
 
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SkinnyDave

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11 Mar 2012
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1,242
jaarus said:
Hi all,

Does anyone know where the assessment centre is located at Swindon Station?


Not familiar with Swindon Station and would prefer to avoid frantically rushing around looking for it!



Many thanks
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Go out onto platform 1 and turn left and you will see the door for it
 
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jaarus

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27 Aug 2013
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Thanks guys - attended my assessment today.



The new style assessment is a bit more intensive (putting it mildly) than my previous assessment!

Last time: (as I recall it)
Group Bourdon
Trainability for Rules Parts 1 and 2
Mechanical Comprehension (now scrapped)


This time:
Group Bourdon
Trainability for Rules Parts 1 and 2
TEA-Occ (3 tests)
WAFV Vigilance Test
ATAVT Perception Tests 1 and 2
The Situational Judgement Exercise (SJE)
The Written Communications Test (WCT)
2HAND test


So the next stage - if successful - is just the MMI and DMI!
 
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