Shunter (Ground Role) - GTR

[JC___05]

Hi all, after passing the online assessments as well as those in Croydon, I have an upcoming interview for the role of shunter with GTR.

Was hoping that anyone might be able to shine some light on how to best prepare for this e.g. the types of questions that may be asked.

Any help would be much appreciated, thanks.

 

[Z4i9]

Have you hear anything back after your interview?

 

[Z4i9]

I wanted to check in to see if anyone has received responses from the recent GTR Shunter role interviews that took place last week.

 

[Tcastle15]

Hi there,

If it’s ok I just wanted to jump on this thread as I have recently moved on from the assessment day in Croydon(for the shunters role) and I am now preparing to take the MMI in a bout a week. I’m currently doing some interview prep. Has anyone got any tips or possible things to remember when going through the MMI?

 

[Tb12]

Hi there,

If it’s ok I just wanted to jump on this thread as I have recently moved on from the assessment day in Croydon(for the shunters role) and I am now preparing to take the MMI in a bout a week. I’m currently doing some interview prep. Has anyone got any tips or possible things to remember when going through the MMI?

What depot is this for?

 

[Ducatist4]

There is a 100 page pinned thread about becoming a driver, that'll have all the info you could ever wish for in it

 

[Tcastle15]

What depot is this for?

It was for Welyn Garden city and St Albans.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Dec 2024 ==

There is a 100 page pinned thread about becoming a driver, that'll have all the info you could ever wish for in it

Cheers, yeah I actually found some of this right after posting. I was wondering if anyone could specify if the MMI for a Shunter is exactly the same as it is for a Driver? Don't believe I've seen this been answered?

 

[Ducatist4]

It'll be the same.

 

[SouthernStar]

It was for Welyn Garden city and St Albans.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Dec 2024 ==


Cheers, yeah I actually found some of this right after posting. I was wondering if anyone could specify if the MMI for a Shunter is exactly the same as it is for a Driver? Don't believe I've seen this been answered?

It will be a reduced version of the Drivers’ MMI, I’m guessing they provided you with some questions during your assessment in Croydon that you had to complete which will form the basis of your next stage interview?

In your answers make sure to focus on experiences of personal safety and keeping others safe at all times, the importance of safety critical communication (vital for Shunters as you will be using radios, giving hand signals to coordinate movements in the yard) and any experience in following set rules and processes In completing tasks will be useful. If you include all of the above in your answers you should do well.

 

[Tcastle15]

It'll be the same.

Thank you

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Dec 2024 ==

Is this interview

It will be a reduced version of the Drivers’ MMI, I’m guessing they provided you with some questions during your assessment in Croydon that you had to complete which will form the basis of your next stage interview?

In your answers make sure to focus on experiences of personal safety and keeping others safe at all times, the importance of safety critical communication (vital for Shunters as you will be using radios, giving hand signals to coordinate movements in the yard) and any experience in following set rules and processes In completing tasks will be useful. If you include all of the above in your answers you should do well.

Thank you much appreciated

 

[jlad7]

Hi everyone,
Just seeking any advice/information around applying for a shunter driver GTR - Bedford/Cricklewood.
The salary stated is 27,839 isn't this low? Does the salary increase in yearly increments?

Cheers in advance.

 

[Class2ldn]

That isn't a shunter driver job, it's a shunter only, ground role , no driving.

 

[jlad7]

Ah I see.. can I ask then, does this salary increase at all?

And separately, does a shunter driver role increase in salary in increments?

 

[Class2ldn]

I dont know if that salary does go up much if at all, the shunter driver role does goes up , think its over 40k now for a shunter driver on the new contracts but might be wrong.
TL only have shunter drivers at Bedford and Three bridges, GN side at hornsey I believe but im not sure where else on that side.

 

[Ducatist4]

Looking at the JD its quite a responsible role for not a lot of money.

 

[whoosh]

I think the Shunter role is actually about £30k now. I don't think the advert has been updated. However, it hasn't been restructured from British Rail days, so still has the enhancements for unsocial hours - so extra pay for nights, and Saturdays. Sundays are outside the working week and have an enhanced rate of pay as well. I'm told you can make around £40k without too much trouble - I.e. without overtime apart from your rostered Sundays.

 

[jlad7]

As this is not the shunter driver job I thought it was (will probably wait till it becomes available at Bedford).. what is the role of a shunter non driver?

 

[Ducatichick]

As this is not the shunter driver job I thought it was (will probably wait till it becomes available at Bedford).. what is the role of a shunter non driver?

You’ll want to look for a “depot driver” vacancy if it’s the actual driving bit you want to do

 

[jlad7]

Thankyou for the advice! Never seen that vacancy yet tbh. I'll keep a look out.

 

[Ducatichick]

Thankyou for the advice! Never seen that vacancy yet tbh. I'll keep a look out.

I don’t think they come up often. I’ve only seen one in the year I’ve been looking and that was for Farnham. It Got pulled before my application was completed. From what I remember it wasn’t much more money than the ground shunter. I think the shunter job sounds great. That’s what I’m applying for right now but I love engineering and getting right up in the dirty jobs I can’t imagine it would suit everyone. I went for a depot interview last week so I’ve got my fingers and toes crossed for a job offer but I know these roles are highly sought after so trying to stay grounded.

 

[bruebunny]

As this is not the shunter driver job I thought it was (will probably wait till it becomes available at Bedford).. what is the role of a shunter non driver?

A ground shunter will work to move trains around the yard but without driving them around the yard. So they will change points and direct using radio and hand signals.

As has been said, depot drivers do that element but also drive the train themselves. I believe three bridges and Horsham are depots without ground shunters.

The next level above that is the Doc mobile position, which is how Bedford operates. This is more advanced than depot (better pay as well) as it involves some amount of driving on the mainline as well as panel operation.

 

[Tcastle15]

Hi there,

Any current shunters out there might be able to help or know when the next availability/vacancy for a trainee might come around for either Bedford, Welwyn or St Albans depots?
I’ve made it to the MMI stage where I had to cancel my MMI due to having the flu. The recruitment team has seemed to be quite good with staying in contact and have just said just wait until there’s another vacancy or availability. But just wondered if there’s a specific time where I could be expecting another opportunity to become available, just so I can be organised and best prepared.

Many thanks,

 

[Twotwo]

Hi there,

Any current shunters out there might be able to help or know when the next availability/vacancy for a trainee might come around for either Bedford, Welwyn or St Albans depots?
I’ve made it to the MMI stage where I had to cancel my MMI due to having the flu. The recruitment team has seemed to be quite good with staying in contact and have just said just wait until there’s another vacancy or availability. But just wondered if there’s a specific time where I could be expecting another opportunity to become available, just so I can be organised and best prepared.

Many thanks,

Is it a shunters role or trainee train driver role? If so, shunters at welwyn do not drive the train so MMI is not required.

 

[westcoaster]

Also no shunters are based at St Albans as there are no carriage sidings there?

 

[Tcastle15]

No it’s the trainee shunters role. I won’t lie it was over 6 months ago when I initially sent my application. So I definitely know it was Welwyn garden city as one of the depots and had openings for others such as Bedford(which would be more ideal for me due to travel purposes). I am forgetting a bit due to time passed could it have been Stevenage?

 

[Jaynie350]

Just wondering if anyone else has applied for the vacancy at Selhurst.
I got an email yesterday to do an online assessment consisting of miniSCAT and RAAT test which i completed today.

 

[jaws20]

hi new to the forum sorry to change the subject , i have an assessment day soon at go ahead house for shunter driver role with gtr, and am looking for info to what tests actually happen? the only practice material i was sent was for SCAAT and rVse. any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[GiordyRail]

I completed mine yesterday as well

 

[Tcastle15]

hi new to the forum sorry to change the subject , i have an assessment day soon at go ahead house for shunter driver role with gtr, and am looking for info to what tests actually happen? the only practice material i was sent was for SCAAT and rVse. any information would be greatly appreciated.

Hi there,

So the shunters assessment day consists of
1)SCAAT (Safety Concentration and Attention test). Aka Group Bourdon or Dots test.
2) PPT - Professional Planning Test.
3) RVCE - Railway Verbal Communications Exercise
4) Interview Questions for your MMI.

The company should have sent you a training pack through your GTR account on their website. If not contact them ASAP.

Hope this helps.

 

[jaws20]

Hi there,

So the shunters assessment day consists of
1)SCAAT (Safety Concentration and Attention test). Aka Group Bourdon or Dots test.
2) PPT - Professional Planning Test.
3) RVCE - Railway Verbal Communications Exercise
4) Interview Questions for your MMI.

The company should have sent you a training pack through your GTR account on their website. If not contact them ASAP.

Hope this helps.

Thank you for your reply, I have emailed them but had no reply all I got when I booked my assessment day was practice for SCAAT and rVce,