'Future' and 'Talent Pool' drivers - how long did it take?

[redjj]

Hi all,

I have applied for a role for 'Future Trainee Train Driver' with GTR, and I'm trying to gauge how long on average the application process time takes from start to end point of being offered a position?

I haven't seen much about 'Future' applications but have seen that it is likely to be the same as a 'Talent Pool'? I have seen that some people have waited up to 4 years!

So if anybody has stories from Talent Pool application to becoming a Driver, or specifically the GTR 'Future...' route, then I would be interested to hear how long your process went on for!

For reference so far mine has been:
- 14/01/25 - Application made
- 03/02/25- Invite to complete miniscaat
- 18/02/25 - Result of passed miniscaat and await invite to assessment centre

 

[Error404]

I applied in Summer 2021 for a job to start in May 2022 for a FOC.

I researched TOCs and FOCs looking at contracts awarded, contracts renewed, cash flow statements. I also mapped when each operator near me had a recruitment campaign.

On this basis I applied for a job where there was a new depot being created for a new contract near my location.

Do not dismiss any form of train driving freight or passenger to get your foot in the door if you want to be a train driver. You may wish to consider moving location to get you to a postcode with more operators.

If you wait for one operator at one location you could be waiting years. So many years that your psychometrics may expire.

 

[Javelin_55]

For reference so far mine has been:
- 14/01/25 - Application made
- 03/02/25- Invite to complete miniscaat
- 18/02/25 - Result of passed miniscaat and await invite to assessment centre

It's tricky to say. This part of the process has been quick, but it's the part that has the most potential to be (from experience). From this point on it will probably depend on how many spaces they have on upcoming assessment centres, and beyond that, when the depots are ready to take on new trainees. You could be waiting days, or months. You might be left in the talent pool until further notice, only for a successful trainee ahead of you to suddenly quit the training course for some reason - in which case you might get a phone call in a year's time asking for you to come to interview the next day. Train driver recruitment is shrouded in mystery and those trained in that dark art do not have to explain themselves.

In short, the best advice I can give you is to put this to the back of your mind as best you can. Relax in the knowledge that you've done your best and you will hear when you hear. It's hard. I've applied too and I'm at the same stage as you, struggling to take my own advice