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The GTR talent pool.
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Team_giest
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All quiet on here.
Not a poster, but have been reading the thread for the last few months as i'm currrently in the talent pool and waiting for cambridge depot.
Roll on 2017 and more courses
Not a poster, but have been reading the thread for the last few months as i'm currrently in the talent pool and waiting for cambridge depot.
Roll on 2017 and more courses
Has anybody heard anything about what's going on? I've tried calling a few times now, but the two numbers I did have do not work anymore!
One doesn't connect and the other is constantly engaged. Have they just washed their hands of us?
Been waiting a year and a half now.
One doesn't connect and the other is constantly engaged. Have they just washed their hands of us?
Been waiting a year and a half now.
Hi guys,
Unfortunately I wouldn't expect much movement on the GN side of things any time soon, this is mainly due to the depots being re-organised at the start of 2018 which in turn will cause a fairly heavy driver re-shuffling. There are new depots being created and others being reduced, I would think that the newer depots would be populated by the drivers of said reduced depots - but I am not privy to this information.
If you are waiting on the TL and Southern side of things then you could potentially have a bit more joy.
I apologise that this post won't bring the answers you are looking for but it is what it is I'm afraid.
Good luck to you all
Unfortunately I wouldn't expect much movement on the GN side of things any time soon, this is mainly due to the depots being re-organised at the start of 2018 which in turn will cause a fairly heavy driver re-shuffling. There are new depots being created and others being reduced, I would think that the newer depots would be populated by the drivers of said reduced depots - but I am not privy to this information.
If you are waiting on the TL and Southern side of things then you could potentially have a bit more joy.
I apologise that this post won't bring the answers you are looking for but it is what it is I'm afraid.
Good luck to you all
Cheers,
I've got my name down for Bedford and Hitchin. When Claire was about we had an email every couple of months, basically saying thanks for you patience and keep waiting. Although this was annoying it did give a little reassurance that we weren't forgotten about and there's still hope. Now there's nothing. I called about three time over about six months and got short blunt answers, offered no estimations or information. Now the numbers I had are cut off. Me and my family are left scratching our heads. We've all waited so long. A little communication can't be difficult?!
Totally agree, have you tried this number? 020 8929 8737 I got through to a few weeks ago. I only asked about Cambridge but was told spring next year is when they hope courses for GN will resume.
If you get anywhere Gordo, please share, there are a lot of us still waiting for Bedford. ??????
Will do.
I gave up ages ago. It's somewhat embarrassing when friends and work colleagues (and even your boss!) keep asking "Have you heard anything about the train driving job yet?" "What do you mean they say they don't know when they can progress you?"
"What do you mean they are not contactable?".
This makes me look like I'm some kind of idiot in front of my peer group... (and I suspect that some of them even think that I made the whole thing up) and I don't like that very much. At least DBS were honest and up front about suspending the recruitment process and left me in no doubt as to the situation. Can't say the same about GTR.
Also if, Rhysa85 is correct about the reshuffle in 2018, this coincides nicely with the expiration of my assessment pass (assuming valid for three years). Can't see me putting myself through that again just to end up in another 'talent pool'.
"What do you mean they are not contactable?".
This makes me look like I'm some kind of idiot in front of my peer group... (and I suspect that some of them even think that I made the whole thing up) and I don't like that very much. At least DBS were honest and up front about suspending the recruitment process and left me in no doubt as to the situation. Can't say the same about GTR.
Also if, Rhysa85 is correct about the reshuffle in 2018, this coincides nicely with the expiration of my assessment pass (assuming valid for three years). Can't see me putting myself through that again just to end up in another 'talent pool'.
Wow. Sounds very familiar! Also Nothing like explaining it over and over again to different work colleagues you only see every now and then.
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Well I phoned not much to say (what a surprise!). I got told the lady dealing with it wasn't at her desk and to call back in December when they might know something or to try emailing.
She's spending a long time away from her desk...
Really feel for all of you in the talent pool. I know someone who works for GTR and you are correct in that they are planning to reduce some depots and create new ones to go in line with the new timetable plan of when the tunnels at kings cross are open in 2018. Drivers now wanting Cambridge or Peterborough are pretty much out of luck as they are full to the numbers company want. Also Hitchin and kings cross look like being reduced and again full up so any trainees that join the GN now do not have a specific depot and are just "GN south or north" to be placed where required, most likely Finsbury Park, Hornsey or Welwyn garden city new depots.Currently these plans are just at a consulting stage with current drivers being asked to state a preference as to where they would like to be but I believe the changes will happen by2018. TL/Southern side are the main side recruiting more right now but GN plan to run more courses in the next 6 months. Hope this post adds some light and doesn't add to the frustration as that's not what I Intended and good luck to all of you waiting.
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Also apparently not all depots will be required to do the same work. Kings cross for example will run trains to and from Peterborough and Cambridge only. Finsbury Park/Welwyn/Hitchin will pick up the inner stuff with possibly some outer whilst Cambridge and Peterborough depots will run the services through the tunnels. These factors are quite rightly causing concern right now and lots of people have decisions to make soon. That in turn will affect all new trainees but it's almost certain you'll be placed where required despite whichever depot you originally applied for.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Also apparently not all depots will be required to do the same work. Kings cross for example will run trains to and from Peterborough and Cambridge only. Finsbury Park/Welwyn/Hitchin will pick up the inner stuff with possibly some outer whilst Cambridge and Peterborough depots will run the services through the tunnels. These factors are quite rightly causing concern right now and lots of people have decisions to make soon. That in turn will affect all new trainees but it's almost certain you'll be placed where required despite whichever depot you originally applied for.
Probably not a great deal of help but the last I heard from a trainer was that there are still 20 courses planned over the next year or so and as other have stated these are predominantly on the southern side.
Bedford won't be till well into next year, although, I was told that around two months ago. On the positive side I believe waiting times for trainers is reducing, some trainees have had to wait 4-5 months for one, so hopefully for those waiting you will get the call sooner rather than later.
The time isn't reducing atall, at blackfriars they thought it would be good to send a load of trainees from three bridges up there to do front end turns with drivers, unfortunately they decided not to bother telling any of the drivers and a load refused to take any at such short notice.
Was suppose to be 16 over the next two weeks and they have been refused by management at Blackfriars as there's not enough drivers willing to take them,theres no payment for doing it either, all these trainees will be needing trainers in the next month or 2, if they can't even find them drivers to do front end turns with the chance of them getting trainers is slim and that's just trainees for three bridges.
Too many new drivers and not enough people to train them, for what they pay the Di's and the way they get treated then naturally there isn't a lot of volunteers to take up the role.
Was suppose to be 16 over the next two weeks and they have been refused by management at Blackfriars as there's not enough drivers willing to take them,theres no payment for doing it either, all these trainees will be needing trainers in the next month or 2, if they can't even find them drivers to do front end turns with the chance of them getting trainers is slim and that's just trainees for three bridges.
Too many new drivers and not enough people to train them, for what they pay the Di's and the way they get treated then naturally there isn't a lot of volunteers to take up the role.
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Bedford is being reduced by over half so doubt there will be any vacancies for trainees there. It'll be cricklewood, St Albans or Luton depots
My post was referring to Bedford regarding the wait for a DT. As I mentioned I had heard that a trainee had waited 22 weeks but I believe the wait will not be that long as the only guys that do not have a trainer are still doing traction.
Obviously Blackfriars sounds a little different.
Obviously Blackfriars sounds a little different.
This is what I thought would happen. Don't mind though as Luton is well within an hours' commute; however I know that for some only Bedford is within this time period.
New depots at Luton and St Albans so I wouldn't give up hope just yet, I would say if you were hoping for Bedford or Hitchin though it won't happen.
Heard nothing about a recruitment freeze
Love the fact the people on this forum seem to have more of an insight into what is happening with recruitment for certain locations and yet HR still claim not to know anything.
That's the main thing Zed, people seem to have more of an insight.
In reality it is all pure and utter guestimations based on nothing more than a need to post "summink".
The only fact that can be relied upon is that HR have not said anything. Everything else is a pure guess based on a "friend of a friend heard a friend talking to a mate in the pub".
HR won't tell you anything until you need to know or, more importantly, if you have a right to know.
Bingo
Well I'm a driver and I can tell you that you've got no chance for Bedford. Even if they take you on for it you won't be based there, theres people who have been there nearly ten years and are still far enough down the pecking order who will have to move come 2018.
Pepperami
Member
No chance for Bedford, no chance at Brighton, no chance at Three Bridges, no chance at Hitchen, Blackfriars Closing, so a lot of those are going to Cricklewood, some going to Luton and St Albans, and as trainees, they can put you wherever they like within reason, as some are now finding out I believe
Oh well... I suspect that's me back to the drawing board. Two years of my life I'll never get back. It was kinda fun whilst it lasted. 
Just goes to show that you can have the right attributes they look for (ex mil / ex police etc), be lucky enough to pass the assessments / DMI on first attempt and still come away with nothing.
I guess I just live the wrong end of the tracks.
Just goes to show that you can have the right attributes they look for (ex mil / ex police etc), be lucky enough to pass the assessments / DMI on first attempt and still come away with nothing.
I guess I just live the wrong end of the tracks.
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