Southeastern - Trainee Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[mickeyC]

I'm at Ashford, having my first day there tomorrow. Monday and today was introduction days, been to Tonbridge and the connect 38.

Nice
Adam brown, one of the trainers mentioned a new group was starting, another group is already there nearly finishing module 2.

 

[Chewie]

Nice
Adam brown, one of the trainers mentioned a new group was starting, another group is already there nearly finishing module 2.

Yeah I've heard that name it says i will have him on my planner and there's another group who started in September, they said we will see them tomorrow so we can pick their brain lol.

 

[mickeyC]

Yeah I've heard that name it says i will have him on my planner and there's another group who started in September, they said we will see them tomorrow so we can pick their brain lol.

Yeah @ollie_3D is on that course

 

[ollie_3D]

Yeah I've heard that name it says i will have him on my planner and there's another group who started in September, they said we will see them tomorrow so we can pick their brain lol.

Adam is brilliant, I’ve had him for a couple of my sessions and he’s a right laugh trust me. You’ll get along just fine with him as your assessor

 

[RDJW18]

On average how long were people waiting from passing everything to actually being given a start date and starting training ?

 

[Purplerain77]

On average how long were people waiting from passing everything to actually being given a start date and starting training ?

I passed everything in July, medical was in August and have just been offered a start date for March 2027. So 7 months for me but I just missed out on this years courses so it varies a lot really

 

[Twin82]

Love this, amazing and exciting news.
I'm looking forward to hearing how everything goes for you.
Iv not been very vocal on here but I'm still here in the background keeping up with everyone's progress.
Well done for getting through and finally getting your start date I'm so so happy for you.
Congratulations to everyone else who has passed everything and waiting to start their new journey.
I'm still waiting for my DMI invitation.
The more time that passes the more anxious I get. It's very easy to overwhelm yourself with too much information so I'm trying really hard not to do that.
Keep us posted and good luck

Thanks @GemmaLouise I really appreciate it.

I know how the wait can feel. The good thing is there’s considerable movement and they’re starting to fill spaces for next year. If you haven’t done so recently, you could drop them an email kindly asking for an update. As you know they are excellent with responding to emails. So fingers crossed you don’t have much long of a wait left. Have you done your MMI already? Although they told me my next step was DMI, they sent me MMI invitation.

In my case, I’ve always chose the last booking dates, from assessment day to both interviews. I was told in my interview that there was one space left for September and it was taken now, which made me think, as I was the 2nd person interviewed that day, the person who interview before me must of taken that space. Maybe had I booked an earlier date, I would of been on an earlier course but it didn’t really bother me. Sometimes booking the earliest date gives you a shot at an earlier start date. What I’m getting at is sometimes it may work out in your favour if you take the earliest dates. But personally I wouldn’t do it any differently as I rather more time to prepare. I will definitely give updates on my journey and good luck moving forward. Hopefully sooner than later

 

[Chewie]

On average how long were people waiting from passing everything to actually being given a start date and starting training ?

For me i applied last October 2025, done the assessments in January, MMI in June and DMI in July now started in October so exactly a year lol.

Adam is brilliant, I’ve had him for a couple of my sessions and he’s a right laugh trust me. You’ll get along just fine with him as your assessor

Yeah i had him today and he was a great laugh and definitely makes me exited to go on this journey. Although these first couple of days have just been a get to know everyone and what the course is about. It gives me confidence going into this knowing i will get all the support i need and they want you to succeed rather than to fail.

 

[RDJW18]

I’d be interested in people opinions. Do you reckon it’s best to ask if I can put myself down for talent pools for additional depots in the hope a vacancy arises or just stay with the one I’m in now ?

 

[Purplerain77]

I’d be interested in people opinions. Do you reckon it’s best to ask if I can put myself down for talent pools for additional depots in the hope a vacancy arises or just stay with the one I’m in now ?

I asked about this as I have a depot slightly closer, wasn’t fussed as I was happy with my allocation but if I could then it would be handy but apparently you have to take another DMI with the managers in that depot (if you’ve already done it ofc) so nothing changed really. I’d imagine if you’re earlier on in the process it would be possible

 

[CFRAIL]

I’d be interested in people opinions. Do you reckon it’s best to ask if I can put myself down for talent pools for additional depots in the hope a vacancy arises or just stay with the one I’m in now ?

There's certainly no harm in asking. What stage are you at currently? It may be worth asking the team where you are in the list etc... obviously progress will depend on your chosen depot and turnover etc...

 

[Pablo 45]

On average how long were people waiting from passing everything to actually being given a start date and as

On average how long were people waiting from passing everything to actually being given a start date and starting training ?

I applied last year (different vacancy) past everything by February but still waiting for medical and who know when start date :/

 

[RDJW18]

I asked about this as I have a depot slightly closer, wasn’t fussed as I was happy with my allocation but if I could then it would be handy but apparently you have to take another DMI with the managers in that depot (if you’ve already done it ofc) so nothing changed really. I’d imagine if you’re earlier on in the process it would be possible

Ah I didn’t realise you had to do another DMI. I won’t bother then, I’ve already passed everything so wouldn’t want to risk anything.

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There's certainly no harm in asking. What stage are you at currently? It may be worth asking the team where you are in the list etc... obviously progress will depend on your chosen depot and turnover etc...

I’ve passed everything, literally just waiting on a start date. I know I’m top of the list for my chosen depot however my chosen depot have recruited heavily recently so not sure how long the wait would be now.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Today at 13:10 ==

I applied last year (different vacancy) past everything by February but still waiting for medical and who know when start date :/

Ah man, the waiting is the worst part. Fingers crossed you get some movement soon. Which depot are you going for ?

 

[Pablo 45]

Ah I didn’t realise you had to do another DMI. I won’t bother then, I’ve already passed everything so wouldn’t want to risk anything.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Today at 13:09 ==


I’ve passed everything, literally just waiting on a start date. I know I’m top of the list for my chosen depot however my chosen depot have recruited heavily recently so not sure how long the wait would be now.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Today at 13:10 ==


Ah man, the waiting is the worst part. Fingers crossed you get some movement soon. Which depot are you going for ?

Waiting is a killer Victoria depot

 

[CFRAIL]

Ah I didn’t realise you had to do another DMI. I won’t bother then, I’ve already passed everything so wouldn’t want to risk anything.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Today at 13:09 ==


I’ve passed everything, literally just waiting on a start date. I know I’m top of the list for my chosen depot however my chosen depot have recruited heavily recently so not sure how long the wait would be now.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Today at 13:10 ==


Ah man, the waiting is the worst part. Fingers crossed you get some movement soon. Which depot are you going for ?

I'd wait it out then if you're just waiting for a start date, there'll be several courses next year.