GTR (Southern) - Trainee Train Driver - Multiple depots (29/11/24)

[pharaoh1368]

This has been a strange recruitment... I've applied with about 5 colleagues, two of us have done the mini scaat in February and the others haven't heard anything since doing the sjt in November. No clue what's happening.

 

[D3WY]

This has been a strange recruitment... I've applied with about 5 colleagues, two of us have done the mini scaat in February and the others haven't heard anything since doing the sjt in November. No clue what's happening.

There's often thousands of applicants to each talent pool, sometimes it's quick sometimes there's a long wait. Just keep an eye on your careers page on the website. If you have not heard from them you are still in the pool. No news is good news.

 

[Fay1]

Hi after a long await, i have been invited for complete the SCAAT test. I don't have any clue of the test. Can someone help me or do i have practice a lot before the test. I got invite on 28th March and have to complete the test by Friday the 4th. Any advice would really be helpful. Thanks

 

[kieran88]

Hi after a long await, i have been invited for complete the SCAAT test. I don't have any clue of the test. Can someone help me or do i have practice a lot before the test. I got invite on 28th March and have to complete the test by Friday the 4th. Any advice would really be helpful. Thanks

I wouldn’t worry about practice as you get given practice examples before you take the test to make sure you understand it.

I’ve done it 3 times and passed each time without any practice and honestly it’s such a straight forward test if you can’t pass it I’m not sure you should be able to operate scissors never mind a train!

 

[Fay1]

I wouldn’t worry about practice as you get given practice examples before you take the test to make sure you understand it.

I’ve done it 3 times and passed each time without any practice and honestly it’s such a straight forward test if you can’t pass it I’m not sure you should be able to operate scissors never mind a train!

Thanks for your reply. As it was my first time so I think i have panicked unnecessarily but thanks again for your comment.

 

[kieran88]

That’s quite alright and I did mean that last comment to be encouraging as in “don’t worry it’s easy” not implying you were an idiot to be worried, so sorry if it came across that way. Best of luck!

 

[Richi]

Hi I am in the same boat. I have booked mine in April and practising like mad any spare time I have. I’m getting as much information as possible and have friends/Collegues giving me advice. I am worried about all of it but then it’s a massive position to have and obviously we don’t want to get it wrong!! I can only imagine it’s tough but keep practising and researching. I guess that’s all we can do.
Good luck

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Mar 2025 ==


I got the first email 3rd March to say an invite will be sent for the Assessment day and then the email to book Assessment day on the 21st March, which I have booked for April and it’s at Go-ahead house.

How did you find the actual test? Had mine on the same day but had to reschedule unfortunately. There’s a lot to practice for some are quite simple but some seem to be bit challenging in my opinion or I’m over thinking it

 

[Dragon77]

Hi I passed the assessment centre for southern in April and am awaiting a date for the dmi.

How long roughly have people waited for this then approximate time frame for dmi, medical then mmi?

I am hoping to book a holiday for August but if all stages are passed and then a course start date I don't want to jeopardise the interviews or course if successful

 

[D3WY]

Hi I passed the assessment centre for southern in April and am awaiting a date for the dmi.

How long roughly have people waited for this then approximate time frame for dmi, medical then mmi?

I am hoping to book a holiday for August but if all stages are passed and then a course start date I don't want to jeopardise the interviews or course if successful

It realy is how long is a piece of string. Sometimes it's quick sometimes it takes a bit longer. I'd imagine being halfway through the process it won't be too long but hard to say.

 

[Dragon77]

Hi not sure if anyone else has experienced this...

I got the link to book my dmi for southern yesterday. My application was for trainee train driver 2590 Barnham then after checking my gtr portal today it is saying application for Trainee Train driver 2636 (based at selhurst or norwood) do you think this is a system error?

I have emailed the recruitment team as I have no idea why it is now saying the application is for those 2 depots with the change of vacancy job number

 

[REO Nate]

Hi not sure if anyone else has experienced this...

I got the link to book my dmi for southern yesterday. My application was for trainee train driver 2590 Barnham then after checking my gtr portal today it is saying application for Trainee Train driver 2636 (based at selhurst or norwood) do you think this is a system error?

I have emailed the recruitment team as I have no idea why it is now saying the application is for those 2 depots with the change of vacancy job number

My application did that. I applied for Brighton and it said Victoria when I did the DMI and MMI.

If you (hopefully) get through everything, they email you and ask you to confirm your depot choices anyway, so I wouldn’t worry.

 

[Dragon77]

Thanks.
I assumed the dmi would be at the chosen depot however I am having to go to go ahead house in east croyden.
Hopefully it will be ok

 

[D3WY]

Thanks.
I assumed the dmi would be at the chosen depot however I am having to go to go ahead house in east croyden.
Hopefully it will be ok

DMI is a good relaxed interview, most of it is them telling you the details of working for GTR, and allowing you to ask questions so it will be perfect time to clarify depot with them.

 

[Yous123]

Hello all, I applied for this position in December and can see some people are already at the DMI stage. I passed the SJT and Miniscatt but I am still waiting for my assessment date. Is this fairly normal with the amount of applicants they receive?

This is the furthest I have ever got, I am not too worried about most of the assessments apart from the MMI, I interview horrendously and have heard it is a very intense interview.

 

[REO Nate]

Hello all, I applied for this position in December and can see some people are already at the DMI stage. I passed the SJT and Miniscatt but I am still waiting for my assessment date. Is this fairly normal with the amount of applicants they receive?

This is the furthest I have ever got, I am not too worried about most of the assessments apart from the MMI, I interview horrendously and have heard it is a very intense interview.

Yes, that is completely normal. Some depots progress much quicker than others due to numbers of vacancies etc.

You are in the right place for guidance about MMI’s. There is an absolute wealth of information available here to help you understand what is required when you get to that stage.

 

[D3WY]

Hello all, I applied for this position in December and can see some people are already at the DMI stage. I passed the SJT and Miniscatt but I am still waiting for my assessment date. Is this fairly normal with the amount of applicants they receive?

This is the furthest I have ever got, I am not too worried about most of the assessments apart from the MMI, I interview horrendously and have heard it is a very intense interview.

When you get to the MMI, prep prep prep. Look up the S.T.A.R method of interviewing, It will ensure you structure your answers well.

 

[caseyblake]

Hello all, I have got my Assessment Centre on Friday, feeling confident but also slightly apprehensive. What is the process post assessment centre?

 

[D3WY]

Hello all, I have got my Assessment Centre on Friday, feeling confident but also slightly apprehensive. What is the process post assessment centre?

If you pass the assessment day you will than proceed onto a DMI (driver manager interview) and than passing that the MMI (multimodal interview) and finaly the medical screening.

 

[RailForM145]

Hi guys, I've got my DMI coming up in a few days and was wondering if anyone could share some light on any of questions that get asked? Would me much appreciated. Will it be different from the MMI questions we filled out on our pre-interview form sheet? I've filled out a personality questionnaire also, which apparently forms the basis of the questions they ask in the DMI.

 

[Wizard77]

Preparing for stage 2 at the OPC in a couple of weeks. Am struggling with a suitable scenario for one of the MMI questions…. assuming I pass the computer tests! I believe there is a question along the lines of ‘describe a time you have had to communicate an important message / explain something complex’ ? I’m not sure I ever have - I have gone through procedures in the workplace before with new starters as part of a company induction but just not sure it counts as something complex or an important message? It may have to do in the absence of anything more suitable though - Anyone have similar issues with this question or know if this is one they definitely ask in some shape or form?

 

[kabdulghani]

Hi all, I had my assessment day last Wednesday (13th August) and was told I'll hear back within 7 days. Nothing so far. Has anyone else heard back, and if so, how long did it take from the assessment day?

 

[D3WY]

Hi all, I had my assessment day last Wednesday (13th August) and was told I'll hear back within 7 days. Nothing so far. Has anyone else heard back, and if so, how long did it take from the assessment day?

Don't think too much into it, it can take time. No news means your still in

 

[Dragon77]

Hi all, I had my assessment day last Wednesday (13th August) and was told I'll hear back within 7 days. Nothing so far. Has anyone else heard back, and if so, how long did it take from the assessment

I know the talent acquisition person is currently on annual leave so this could be why you haven't heard anything. My results took 2 weeks

 

[Dragon77]

Hi, I have been placed in a talent pool after passing all assessments and interviews. Does anyone know an average time frame you could be in a pool or if anyone has been in the same situation.
Is there expiration dates for the pool?

Thanks

 

[Hazwa89]

Hi, I have been placed in a talent pool after passing all assessments and interviews. Does anyone know an average time frame you could be in a pool or if anyone has been in the same situation.
Is there expiration dates for the pool?

Thanks

Hi,

I have recently been offered a place on an up coming training course. I was in the talent pool for 13 months.

I have heard that it can be over 2 years, if at all.

My only advise is to keep in regular contact with your recruitment contact, I emailed them once every 10 weeks to keep my name in the front of their mind. You can ask what your placement is in the talent pool and ask what training dates are coming up.

Be aware they can cancel/move or add training courses at any stage. From my understanding, they look at driver requirements on a monthly basis, generally at the beginning of each month so if you can time your emails to be at the end of the second week/beginning of the third week of the month then you'll be more likely to get an update rather then "we have a meeting next week"

I was 7th in the talent pool and they were only taking on 2 from my depot and I got a place.. the people in front of me might have decided not to take them up on the offer or failed their medical.. or it was because I will keeping regular contact. Who knows...

Best of luck and congrats on passing!

H

 

[Loismcg]

Hi,

I have recently been offered a place on an up coming training course. I was in the talent pool for 13 months.

I have heard that it can be over 2 years, if at all.

My only advise is to keep in regular contact with your recruitment contact, I emailed them once every 10 weeks to keep my name in the front of their mind. You can ask what your placement is in the talent pool and ask what training dates are coming up.

Be aware they can cancel/move or add training courses at any stage. From my understanding, they look at driver requirements on a monthly basis, generally at the beginning of each month so if you can time your emails to be at the end of the second week/beginning of the third week of the month then you'll be more likely to get an update rather then "we have a meeting next week"

I was 7th in the talent pool and they were only taking on 2 from my depot and I got a place.. the people in front of me might have decided not to take them up on the offer or failed their medical.. or it was because I will keeping regular contact. Who knows...

Best of luck and congrats on passing!

H

Hey, I’m in the same boat as Dragon77 and I’ve emailed my talent/recruitment person a couple of times throughout my application process (usually just chasing an update) but I’ve never once actually had a reply from them and it worries me that they’re not actually getting my emails. I’ve also emailed twice since being in the talent pool, once to select my preferred depots, and again to let them know I’ll be abroad for a week this month so won’t be able to take calls but will be monitoring emails. But I’ve never had a single response or acknowledgement, do I just keep emailing every now and again now I’m also in the talent pool?

 

[Hazwa89]

Hey, I’m in the same boat as Dragon77 and I’ve emailed my talent/recruitment person a couple of times throughout my application process (usually just chasing an update) but I’ve never once actually had a reply from them and it worries me that they’re not actually getting my emails. I’ve also emailed twice since being in the talent pool, once to select my preferred depots, and again to let them know I’ll be abroad for a week this month so won’t be able to take calls but will be monitoring emails. But I’ve never had a single response or acknowledgement, do I just keep emailing every now and again now I’m also in the talent pool?

Hi,

Sorry to hear you're not getting any response.

The whole process could be made easier with better communication.. not that I'm placing the blame on the recruitment team (My experience has been good). I imagine it's a result of cost cutting and over worked staff.

I would check the email address that have sent you emails.. I've had 2 different email addresses send me emails.

One was from the recruiter firstname.lastname@toc.com and the second was recruitment@toc.com

If you have both, I would send an email to both to check that they are getting your messages.. and then use this as a gateway to further comms.. if you do not get a response after this email. I would suggest maybe creating a tread in the main forum with the specific TOC and see if someone on here can help.

H

 

[Loismcg]

Hi,

Sorry to hear you're not getting any response.

The whole process could be made easier with better communication.. not that I'm placing the blame on the recruitment team (My experience has been good). I imagine it's a result of cost cutting and over worked staff.

I would check the email address that have sent you emails.. I've had 2 different email addresses send me emails.

One was from the recruiter firstname.lastname@toc.com and the second was recruitment@toc.com

If you have both, I would send an email to both to check that they are getting your messages.. and then use this as a gateway to further comms.. if you do not get a response after this email. I would suggest maybe creating a tread in the main forum with the specific TOC and see if someone on here can help.

H

Thanks for your response, yeah I think maybe I’ll search for or create a thread as I’m definitely emailing the correct address. I receive emails from an unmonitored mailbox but within those emails the talent acquisition advisor provides the email that I should reply to, which I have been since November last year but never had a reply haha.

 

[Dragon77]

Hi,

I have recently been offered a place on an up coming training course. I was in the talent pool for 13 months.

I have heard that it can be over 2 years, if at all.

My only advise is to keep in regular contact with your recruitment contact, I emailed them once every 10 weeks to keep my name in the front of their mind. You can ask what your placement is in the talent pool and ask what training dates are coming up.

Be aware they can cancel/move or add training courses at any stage. From my understanding, they look at driver requirements on a monthly basis, generally at the beginning of each month so if you can time your emails to be at the end of the second week/beginning of the third week of the month then you'll be more likely to get an update rather then "we have a meeting next week"

I was 7th in the talent pool and they were only taking on 2 from my depot and I got a place.. the people in front of me might have decided not to take them up on the offer or failed their medical.. or it was because I will keeping regular contact. Who knows...

Best of luck and congrats on passing!

H

Hi, great thanks for that info.

I was a bit surprised about it being a talent pool as this was not mentioned in the job advert. I think I'm also being a bit impatient aha.

When they do send out emails regarding courses is it first come first served basis so to just book on as soon as possible?

How many trainees do they have per course?

Many thanks

 

[Hazwa89]

Hi, great thanks for that info.

I was a bit surprised about it being a talent pool as this was not mentioned in the job advert. I think I'm also being a bit impatient aha.

When they do send out emails regarding courses is it first come first served basis so to just book on as soon as possible?

How many trainees do they have per course?

Many thanks

Non worries, I felt the same way. Some get lucky and they are in within 2 months others have to wait.

From my experience they do not share the course dates unless you ask. And yes it's first come first served. If they send you the course dates for next year, you will not be able to request a space on one.

They will contact you when it's your turn. I just found knowing the course dates and where I am in the talent pool gave me some idea when I might start.

To caveat this.. I was told there would be 3 courses this year and then 1 was moved to a different depot as the requirements changed for the TOC.

As for how many trainees per course, it's something like 8 or 10. However, these might not all be for the same depot.

As an example, I'll be starting with GTR and there is 2 from my depot, 4 from another depot and 2 from another depot.

So if your 8th in the talent pool then it could be that you will need to wait for the 4th course..but lots of things can impact this.

If though you are 1st-3rd then there's a good chance you'll be on one of the next couple of courses.

Also worth noting, not everyone will pass the medical, if you are slight further down the list in the talent pool you could easily get bumped up. Its also a great time to get your self tested for eye sight and hearing incase you need to get any glasses or hearing aids sorted before you start.

H