SWT driver assessment

[francisoldfield]

tried to get another update today...

still getting the basic "we had 1600 applications and are working as hard as we can..."

I wish they could give a better answer as if I am unsuccessful then I want to move house!!!

 

[reapz]

Tocs are very very slow even with applicants from inside the same company im waiting on a mangers interveiw for a driving job and even he does not know what is going on and when it will be .

It will be a last minute rush like always

 

[francisoldfield]

you wouldnt have thought it would be that difficult for toc's to do things a little quicker but there you go... it gets to the point where I want any news even if it is bad...

 

[pH]

I had my managers interview for SWT on Friday the 28th. Getting extremely nervous waiting now. They said I will find out in about 10 days. Got everything crossed.

It was for the trainee driver in waterloo.

 

[tagzy]

pH, when did you do your assessment at the OPC?

 

[pH]

I can't remember the date to be precise, all I remember is that is was a cold snowy day in Watford in December.

 

[tagzy]

Ah ok was just checking because I did mine in early Jan and they are not progressing me any further due to lack of vacancies at Waterloo.

 

[Clip]

Friend of mine is still waiting to hear back from them about the trainee drivers down at fratton.. I think he went for it in november too the poor bugger

 

[BravoGolfMike]

I also applied in November for Bournemouth, just rang and spoke to a very friendly and helpfull lady who said that they are concentrating on London at the moment and that the South Coast depots' sifting and beyond is due to commence shortly. Worry not!

 

[francisoldfield]

see now why couldn't they just say that when I emailed? than I could relax and not keep checking up!!

 

[pH]

Anyone got any updates?

 

[BestWestern]

I don't mean to be rude but when I was a guard I wouldn't presume to judge whether the driver was fit be in charge of a train or just a Tesco's trolley! I think that sort of attitude is extremely arrogant.

I think that's a pretty fair comment, not at all arrogant. As a Rear Gunner you get a pretty good feel for how certain drivers handle the train, and whilst the vast majority do it in a solid and unremarkable manner there are certainly always the odd one or two who don't. Just because you haven't been trained to move the levers back and forwards doesn't mean you don't notice the manner in which those who are trained do it. Chuck in the inevitable renegade ex-BR 'old schooler' who thinks they're bulletproof - I believe most depots have one! - and you can generally find the odd liability or two out there somewhere. Of course, the same applies to Guards as well, to suggest it doesn't work the other way would definitely be arrogant!!

 

[notadriver]

The guards grade seems to be changing now to one which is more customer focused. I understand at one time they were allowed to ride in the cab with the driver - nowadays in some TOCS they aren't allowed in the rear cab at all except to stow bags and don't have any safety critical responsabilities except in an emergency such as the On Board Managers on the HS1 route.

 

[Safety365]

Took the RVCE assessment and manager interview in Jan. Had letter through the other day for medical. April start date. To be based at Waterloo.

 

[tagzy]

Well done SalopSparky! I applied to Waterloo and have been through both batches of tests and passed. Unfortunately I was informed that vacancies at Waterloo have been filled. Do you mind me asking when you applied and what date your OPC tests were?

 

[Safety365]

i shall pm you
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Medical went fine (no change since last one). Awaiting the results of tox-screen and CRB check...

 

[tagzy]

Nice one mate. Hope all goes well!

 

[francisoldfield]

just for info they have finished sifting Fratton vacancies, as I received an email saying that I was unsuccessful. When I asked for feedback, they told me that they have already got all their successful applicants and haven't even looked at mine. Bit irritated seeing as how I have literally waited about 4 years for the chance to apply, and spent 3 odd hours writing it...

 

[tagzy]

Will they be keeping your application on file? Maybe they will look at it when they get more vacancies. The recruitment team at SWT are very helpful so just give them a ring to clarify your situation.

 

[francisoldfield]

I've found them to be the opposite. After asking for feedback, they literally copy and pasted their original email twice before I got a proper answer.

All they have said is please keep an eye on our website for future vacancies. Seeing as how I have had to wait about 3 or 4 years to see one vacancy I'm not all that hopeful

 

[notadriver]

Sorry to hear about your application Francisoldfield. Did you really want to go driving or are you happy as a guard ?

 

[tagzy]

Like I said actually phone them up! Emailing gets you nowhere these days and they will just give you the bog standard reply, why wouldn't they after all? When I phoned them up the lady was very helpful and I asked to be considered for all depots which was then marked on my file. They were also very helpful when I phoned up about the guards jobs going.

 

[francisoldfield]

Being a conductor is ok at tIe moment, I seem to be getting a lot of hassle from passengers just at the moment which is taking its toll. The main problem is my depot is 52 mile round trip and my partner doesn't want to move. Plus becoming a driver is going to be hard work for reasons I shouldn't post on a public forum

I'm sorry to say when I ring up I get nowhere. They promise to do things for me, when I ring tto check They have no record of it?

I'm at my wits end to be honest, I wait years for the vacancy, spend hours on the form, and they reject it without even reading it, how can that be fair on anyone? I won't be the only one that has this problem either. Sorry for being so down but that's how I feel just at the moment.

Goodnight

 

[Lrd]

I applied for the Fratton Guard's job a little while ago, haven't had a reply yet apart from their confirmation of receiving the app. And on "myPage" it is showing as New, whereas an app for Customer Advisor is showing as In Progress.

What could this mean? As I am a little confused!

 

[francisoldfield]

HOw did you access my page. I Don't seem to be able to do it?

 

[tagzy]

http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/careers/login.html

 

[francisoldfield]

oh yeh thanks, ive been looking ages for that, i've even rang swt and asked where it had gone and they haven't been able to answer me!!

 

[tagzy]

The link was in an email they sent me

 

[francisoldfield]

it used to be on their careers page but then when they redid their website it disappeared...

 

[Matt Taylor]

Francis, bear in mind that the reduction of hours worked by drivers is continuing to decrease until it gets to 35 hours and the effect of this is that more drivers are required not just now but also in the next 18-24 months. There will be more vacancies, but also bear in mind that Fratton has always been a tough place to get into, in fact I have had to take a traincrew job well away from Portsmouth just to get my foot in the door so to speak.

Given your position with Southern it may be better to stick with them and see how things develop, my recollection is that you have not been with them long and SWT will have considered this when making a decision as they will be less keen to take on someone who they feel might move on not long after completing the training.