First Great Western - Trainee Drivers

[387star]

Deleted

 

[pdqsoftware]

As the title says... Offer closes on 5th May!

Hi,
I've just been looking on the FGW website for the Trainee Drivers advertisement and I am having trouble locating it. Perhaps it has already been taken down...

I know that I am going to be too late to apply, but can you recall if there was an age limit for applicants? I ask as I am one of the over-50s!

Thanks
Paul

 

[Jacobian]

Hello, I am a newcomer. Passed final interview "to a high standard" in September 2014 for Paddington... phone ringing might be FGW. see ya.

 

[387star]

Deleted

 

[Mikey5519]

I got told by a driver manager today that there is 6 courses this year, so there is still hope

 

[Mightyirons77]

6 , do you know where ?

 

[Mikey5519]

He's based at Bristol so I'm guessing there but not to sure if i'm honest

 

[387star]

deleted

 

[Trainer74]

Guys just hang in there!! I started back in April, there is a course starting end of May but after that nothing more has been said. The way it's looking they are going to wait to see how many they lose to crossrail tbh.
I'm loving every minute of it and the 10 that's in my group
( 4 pad ) ( 6 reading ) couldn't ask for a better bunch!
I nearly waited 2 years for my phone call some in my group went through only months. Just hang in there guys, book your hols! Carry on your life as normal! Still wait and hope for that phone call but carry on they will give you more than enough time before your start date to hand notice in etc. GOOD LUCK GUYZ
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Hi,
I've just been looking on the FGW website for the Trainee Drivers advertisement and I am having trouble locating it. Perhaps it has already been taken down...

I know that I am going to be too late to apply, but can you recall if there was an age limit for applicants? I ask as I am one of the over-50s!

Thanks
Paul

Paul hi. No fella age doesn't come in to it! Gd luck in applying

 

[pdqsoftware]

Guys just hang in there!! I started back in April, there is a course starting end of May but after that nothing more has been said. The way it's looking they are going to wait to see how many they lose to crossrail tbh.
I'm loving every minute of it and the 10 that's in my group
( 4 pad ) ( 6 reading ) couldn't ask for a better bunch!
I nearly waited 2 years for my phone call some in my group went through only months. Just hang in there guys, book your hols! Carry on your life as normal! Still wait and hope for that phone call but carry on they will give you more than enough time before your start date to hand notice in etc. GOOD LUCK GUYZ
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Paul hi. No fella age doesn't come in to it! Gd luck in applying

Thanks Trainer74.
I've got my fingers crossed...
Paul

 

[smudge67]

Just thought I would share this with the guys who are waiting in the Talent pool for Oxford as I am myself.I have just spoke to HR and asked when is it likely for training courses to start for Oxford and is anything planned in for the near future.I was told that Oxford was not planning for any courses and that positions would only become available through drivers retiring or transferring to other depots and there is no plans for a training course at Oxford as positions were only for speculative positions.So for you other guys hanging on for Oxford the future does not look good.I wish I was told this months ago rather than putting my life on hold for the last 12 months .Very disappointed to say the least but know where I stand finally.

 

[oxoneil]

Just thought I would share this with the guys who are waiting in the Talent pool for Oxford as I am myself.I have just spoke to HR and asked when is it likely for training courses to start for Oxford and is anything planned in for the near future.I was told that Oxford was not planning for any courses and that positions would only become available through drivers retiring or transferring to other depots and there is no plans for a training course at Oxford as positions were only for speculative positions.So for you other guys hanging on for Oxford the future does not look good.I wish I was told this months ago rather than putting my life on hold for the last 12 months .Very disappointed to say the least but know where I stand finally.

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

Why oh why put people through the process if there never was a position in the first place?

 

[387star]

Deleted

 

[smudge67]

Just thought I would share this with the guys who are waiting in the Talent pool for Oxford as I am myself.I have just spoke to HR and asked when is it likely for training courses to start for Oxford and is anything planned in for the near future.I was told that Oxford was not planning for any courses and that positions would only become available through drivers retiring or transferring to other depots and there is no plans for a training course at Oxford as positions were only for speculative positions.So for you other guys hanging on for Oxford the future does not look good.I wish I was told this months ago rather than putting my life on hold for the last 12 months .Very disappointed to say the least but know where I stand finally.

 

[NX]

The latest internal adverts state clearly they are purely speculative and give no assurance of a position even after being pushed through the system at great expense.

I fear a lot of people will be given the thanks but no thanks, or if they are really nasty (the company) that is will just let people's assessments run out.

Why they just can't say we have 10 positions right now, please apply I don't know.

Talent pool my arse.

NX

 

[oxoneil]

Just thought I would share this with the guys who are waiting in the Talent pool for Oxford as I am myself.I have just spoke to HR and asked when is it likely for training courses to start for Oxford and is anything planned in for the near future.I was told that Oxford was not planning for any courses and that positions would only become available through drivers retiring or transferring to other depots and there is no plans for a training course at Oxford as positions were only for speculative positions.So for you other guys hanging on for Oxford the future does not look good.I wish I was told this months ago rather than putting my life on hold for the last 12 months .Very disappointed to say the least but know where I stand finally.

Now I've calmed down a bit I'll counter this with the fact that I know someone who was recently talking to current Oxford drivers who were doing their instructor course so why would they be doing that?

 

[387star]

Deleted

 

[455driver]

It plays havoc with peoples careers livelihoods and mental health but guess that's not a priority

If that is the case I don't want them driving trains any time in the future!

 

[smudge67]

Now I've calmed down a bit I'll counter this with the fact that I know someone who was recently talking to current Oxford drivers who were doing their instructor course so why would they be doing that?

I am only quoting what I was told when a rang and spoke to HR this morning which actually makes sense considering why we have heard nothing about Oxford. Positions will only be made available when current drivers retire or transfer but I would expect it to be offered to internals first. I don't think you could get it from a better source then from the horses mouth itself. You may wish to call HR yourself and you never know they may tell you something different.

 

[oxoneil]

I am only quoting what I was told when a rang and spoke to HR this morning which actually makes sense considering why we have heard nothing about Oxford. Positions will only be made available when current drivers retire or transfer but I would expect it to be offered to internals first. I don't think you could get it from a better source then from the horses mouth itself. You may wish to call HR yourself and you never know they may tell you something different.

All I'm trying to highlight is that all through this very long thread you will find rumour and counter rumour, they said this, they said that, I've heard this.......you won't have to read too many pages to come to the conclusion that no-one knows what the future plan is.

The one thing I will say is why on earth FGW even bothers trying to recruit externally for drivers when there are apparently so many current members of staff who apply for the role and go through the assessment process.

Ah well, with 23 years as a military aircraft technician and 9 as a police officer, if they don't want me I see it as their loss not mine, I know I've got the qualities they're looking for, if they choose not to let me show them, so be it.

 

[387star]

Deleted

 

[NX]

Bristol, Gloucester, Westbury, Exeter, Penzance WEST.
Paddington, Reading and Oxford LTV.
Swansea HSS.

All being advertised pretty much no stop on the external site for qualified drivers.

NX

 

[smudge67]

All I'm trying to highlight is that all through this very long thread you will find rumour and counter rumour, they said this, they said that, I've heard this.......you won't have to read too many pages to come to the conclusion that no-one knows what the future plan is.

The one thing I will say is why on earth FGW even bothers trying to recruit externally for drivers when there are apparently so many current members of staff who apply for the role and go through the assessment process.

Ah well, with 23 years as a military aircraft technician and 9 as a police officer, if they don't want me I see it as their loss not mine, I know I've got the qualities they're looking for, if they choose not to let me show them, so be it.

Exactly ,FGW are not the only TOC out there and fortunately I applied with another TOC in January and have my DM interview booked in early June.As your assessment results stay on the database for three years, they fast track you through the assessment centres as you have passed most of the tests ( think I only had to sit one test).If i get put in the talent pool again at least you know that there will be courses coming up and not just for speculative positions.My advice would be to keep your options open and apply with other TOC's.Perhaps something may come up later with FGW but at least your not relying on just one option.Good Luck

 

[Sikes 88]

I honestly feel so sorry for everyone who applied for these roles. I was a trainee driver for FGW at Paddington. I started in November 2013. Half way through my course I had family issues and decided I would defer it for a while which management told me was ok. When I was ready to come back which was a month and a half later I was told that I would be put on the next available course but that I wouldn't be paid for the time I was off. I accepted this. I waited over 6 months and heard absolutely nothing. I went in to the managers offices and everything. I decided I would leave and get a job else where because I could no longer continue not to be getting paid. I still speak to a few lads on the course and out of 12 of us only 1 is qualified and a few have been put on gardening leave because there is just a lack of driver instructors. Fgw don't have a clue what they are doing. To many trainees sitting around at Paddington doing nothing. On certain trains you will see two or 3 trainees in the cab just to keep route knowledge fresh. It's actually embarrassing. So I honestly would suggest that anyone waiting don't put your life on hold for this company if an opportunity arises elsewhere take it. A few trainees are even considering applying for crossrail just so they get out of this situation. This was just written as a heads up and not as a vent because I have now gone on to a trainee course, but it doesn't sit well with me how they seem to be treating people

 

[387star]

This threads becoming so depressing

 

[skjonesfamily]

Hi Im just wondering if any one knows where the training centre is in Bristol, if any one could help please.

 

[SkinnyDave]

St Phillips Marsh depot mate

 

[irish_rail]

All I'm trying to highlight is that all through this very long thread you will find rumour and counter rumour, they said this, they said that, I've heard this.......you won't have to read too many pages to come to the conclusion that no-one knows what the future plan is.

The one thing I will say is why on earth FGW even bothers trying to recruit externally for drivers when there are apparently so many current members of staff who apply for the role and go through the assessment process.

Ah well, with 23 years as a military aircraft technician and 9 as a police officer, if they don't want me I see it as their loss not mine, I know I've got the qualities they're looking for, if they choose not to let me show them, so be it.

Perhaps they can sense your arrogance, hence why your having no luck

Seriously, I think some people in this thread need to stand back for a moment and look at the position you are in.
Being a train driver is one of the very best jobs in the UK today.
Getting in is never going to be a walk in the park. It takes extreme dedication and commitment, not to mention patience - I know, I went through all this myself.

So please, give FGW a chance, I know it is frustrating, but trust me it is worth waiting for despite what some posters on here have said, and I truly believe, from what Ive heard, most of you on here will end up with jobs eventually, so please just be patient. Slagging off the training and HR will certainly not help your cause, and remember, people from within FGW read these forums, so be careful what you say....

 

[387star]

Deleted

 

[skjonesfamily]

St Phillips Marsh depot mate

Thanks SkinnyDave, Im just looking for a cheap room to let whilst training and havent been giving my contract or the where abouts of the Training academy yet so thats helps cheers mate. If any one knows of any where near phillips marsh depo let me know.