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GWR - Trainee Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion
- Thread starter JT97
- Start date
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vc99
Member
Wow. Great stuff. What call number is it from? Is it a private number or 0333 or 020?
kuklakolduna3
Member
I had a call from a private number, 077
vc99
Member
Okay thank you
RobotBen91
Member
That's good to know. How long was it between your DMI and being contacted about a start date?
kuklakolduna3
Member
Pretty quick tbh, I’d say we talking about weeks rather than a months
BongCups34
Member
Heard back that I have passed interview stage as recruitment has said might be a few weeks till I hear back regarding the psychometric checks being completed
halfajob
Member
Just wait. They come into your training school as part of the induction weeks.
lifeisarail
Member
Quick question to those who’ve passed the medical:
Is BMI a big deal? Mine’s on the high side, but I’m fit and active.
Is BMI a big deal? Mine’s on the high side, but I’m fit and active.
If your BMI is over 33 then you will fail your medical and they will withdraw the offer of employment. Unfortunate but it’s the truth. If you read back in the forum, someone had just gone through that. I’d recommend getting BMI down ASAP if you are looking to get a role.
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Cheers thanks
officewalla
Member
The attempt at indoctoration is at the training school. They make it sound as though you must join; you don't it is a personal choice and your choice whether to join or not should remain your business and not become public knowledge. There are plenty of drivers who are not members of ASLEF and quite a few have resigned membership in recent times because of what they believe the union should or should not be doing. The vast majority of drivers are union members and there is definitely no need to join any union whilst you are a trainee - you are just giving them free money for the very expensive diary ever..
BarneyGumble
Member
I think with SWR you can't be over 6 ft 5 or under 4 5 ft (?) due to the cab, obviously cab sizes will vary but it seems like there is a height rule in place across the board, I'll imagine.
Weirdly I passed my medical, I have my report and it’s valid until December 2028 but recruitment/occupational health seemingly held it up and I missed the Feb course now.
Make sure next time you spam them every day then so that doesn’t happen again. They seem to forget some things so it’s best to keep reminding them.
Really gutted for you tho mate was hoping to see you on the course. Once I’m on I’ll keep you updated on what to expect though if that’s any help.
Fingers crossed for the April course for you now. I don’t really see why they withdrew you from the February course, strange, as it’s definitely not over subscribed.
Cheers bud, I haven’t heard anything about April yet either. Hopefully they get it sorted but I guess it depends on whether Exeter still needs drivers after the Feb course.
class ep-09
Member
- Joined
- 5 Sep 2013
- Messages
- 640
You forgot to add that it is thanks to ASLEF / RMT (and other unions) there are 100’s of applicants per job due to its attractiveness. .
That “very expensive” diary pays for itself after, at most , couple of hours of work.
Of course no one can be forced to join any union, and of course no union has any obligation to represent non-members in difficulties in front of management ( and that WILL happen to everyone sooner or later).
Chippychips
Member
For those signposted for the April course, were you communicated a start date? I.e. 6th, 13th etc?
jmes
Member
Sorry for the late reply - sat my DMI early October and was told I had passed the same day
Swordfish3
Member
I passed my DMI for Exeter early September, hoping a spot comes out soon! Anyone have any course offers from around then yet?
No worries. Thanks. I’m down for Paddington Depot. Waiting for the call….all the best and good luck for your course in Feb.
RobotBen91
Member
I had mine in Exeter in early September too. Haven’t heard anything yet. It was probably on the same day. I keep my phone close to me hoping they'll call!
Swordfish3
Member
Nice, glad it went well for you! if you were there on the same day then you're in a similar line of work to me and cant wait for that call to come! Hopefully they come up soon! Im with you with my phone taped to my side at all times
Bock
New Member
For those who have passed their DMI for Exeter, when were you told you would be offered a place on a course?
Swordfish3
Member
I wasnt told a precise date by the chap interviewing, just that they were recruiting for the 2026/27 cycle and that start dates would depend on trainer availability and that this could take a while. Im keen to get going though
Bock
New Member
Yes that’s exactly what I was told too, I’m also keen to get started!
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Further to this, when notification of a course happens, it seems to be ~3 months before it starts. Is this a general rule or just a coincidence with what has happened with some people?
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Chippychips
Member
Hi all, not sure how or if this information may help, but my mate got his call today to confirm booking of his medical and provisional job offer sent via email. (Recent October/November 25 Hex applicant for London Paddington)
It was a call from one of the recruitment team on a normal 07 number.
Not sure if some people have dropped out of the Feb course because the lady said (weirdly) there was space on Feb course but due the next available medical would be 5th Feb at the earliest which wouldn't get back to them in time (though he already stated he was unable to start in Feb at his interview anyway).
She said the medical will be based in Reading.
She said there was an April course, but this wasn't for the 'eastern' section (meaning London Paddington I suppose??- I didn't ask him to elaborate on this) so it was not possible to be placed on that course, so she offered him a position on the 18th May course (subject to passing medical).
This seems to be in line with what the driver manager told him at his December interview regarding Feb, ~May, and ~September courses planned.
It was a call from one of the recruitment team on a normal 07 number.
Not sure if some people have dropped out of the Feb course because the lady said (weirdly) there was space on Feb course but due the next available medical would be 5th Feb at the earliest which wouldn't get back to them in time (though he already stated he was unable to start in Feb at his interview anyway).
She said the medical will be based in Reading.
She said there was an April course, but this wasn't for the 'eastern' section (meaning London Paddington I suppose??- I didn't ask him to elaborate on this) so it was not possible to be placed on that course, so she offered him a position on the 18th May course (subject to passing medical).
This seems to be in line with what the driver manager told him at his December interview regarding Feb, ~May, and ~September courses planned.
Hi everyone. I missed the Swansea applications and have applied for Oxford (I live near Oxford but I am originally from Swansea and would love to move back). Has anyone ever asked to change locations while in the process? I'm still quite early doors, waiting to see if i have passed the video interview. Cheers.