First Great Western Trainee drivers, Anyone heard back?

[windnoise69]

About 14 weeks ago!!
I no off 2 other people with the same start date too

 

[Brunel]

About 14 weeks ago!!
I no off 2 other people with the same start date too

There is hope! Much congratulations to you!

 

[Brunel]

I have heard from HR that people should know the outcome of their interviews in the next 2 to 3 weeks.

 

[heart-of-wessex]

By E-mail I hope, as I was told I would be E-mailed too. I'm still waiting on the E-mail for the results on Stage 1 in September, but I believe the second lot of drivers required has now gone so I should have heard something by now?

Never mind anyway, looking for other jobs at the moment instead

 

[Scaramanga]

Having gone through FGW recruitment in 2007 I shouldnt be surprised, but Im getting really fed up of the lack of progress of my application. I sat half the assessment day in October and have heard nothing since. I applied for Bristol and see that others have start dates. The lack of information and fairness in the recruitment process is staggering!

 

[FGW_DID]

I applied for a position at Oxford / Reading last year and was unsuccessfull at Managers Interview but what did strike me at the time was the length of time it took to hear anything. All in all from initial application thru assessment centre to rejection letter was 6 months.

 

[Brunel]

It can't be hard to keep candidates in the 'loop'. Just a quick email to say there is a delay. Or whatever.

 

[David_Train]

Glad to see I'm not the only one who has bee left waiting............

My First Group story in a nutshell - I applied to FTW and had my first assessment in Reading in October 2012. I was told that I would hear back about my results within 7-10 days but I've still not heard anything back yet. I have e-mailed 3 times chasing my results and I have received various responses such as "your results are with the HR manager" and "FGW have not got your results yet, we will be in contact with you once we get them". I'm pretty disappointed about this because all I want to know if I passed, got a borderline pass or failed! I am remaining as patient as possible because I really what to join the First Group and become a train driver but I can't see what the hold up is, I mean if I failed just tell me.

I applied to FCC in November 2011, in November 2012 I was offered an assessment in January 2013 for the Cambridge depot. The wheels can move very slowly indeed. I desperately chasing my results from my FGW assessment to see where I need to improve for the tests. In the mean time I have been working on concentration test and cables and dials etc.

Good luck to everyone who is still waiting or going through the process and to those who have got the job well done indeed.

 

[FGW_DID]

Although this forum can be a great help to many, it's threads like this one that can be morale sapping as well, you've been waiting for weeks/months to hear a peep from HR and meanwhile you are reading posts to the effect - whoopee, just passed assessment centre/interview/ medical, been offered job, start training on xx date! At times it does feel like everybody else in the world has heard or done something but you!

 

[David_Train]

Can anyone please PM me the number for FGW recruitment please? I'm getting nowhere with e-mails.

Thanks.

 

[Geargrinder]

Glad to see I'm not the only one who has bee left waiting............

My First Group story in a nutshell - I applied to FTW and had my first assessment in Reading in October 2012. I was told that I would hear back about my results within 7-10 days but I've still not heard anything back yet. I have e-mailed 3 times chasing my results and I have received various responses such as "your results are with the HR manager" and "FGW have not got your results yet, we will be in contact with you once we get them". I'm pretty disappointed about this because all I want to know if I passed, got a borderline pass or failed! I am remaining as patient as possible because I really what to join the First Group and become a train driver but I can't see what the hold up is, I mean if I failed just tell me.

I applied to FCC in November 2011, in November 2012 I was offered an assessment in January 2013 for the Cambridge depot. The wheels can move very slowly indeed. I desperately chasing my results from my FGW assessment to see where I need to improve for the tests. In the mean time I have been working on concentration test and cables and dials etc.

Good luck to everyone who is still waiting or going through the process and to those who have got the job well done indeed.

Thats First Group for you. Had the same thing with my FTPE application. You completely drop off their radar unless you are 100% through to the next stage. After about 3 months they will quietly update your status on their recruitment website. Unfortunately they are in the driving seat (excuse the pun) and can ignore the basic politeness of letting people know, as there are plenty more fish in the sea for them.

 

[David_Train]

Well said Geargrinder. I take it with your first application you got a borderline pass and they just kept you hanging on? Have you got any new applications in the process?

 

[Geargrinder]

Well said Geargrinder. I take it with your first application you got a borderline pass and they just kept you hanging on? Have you got any new applications in the process?

I failed with the application with ftpe. Since gone on to apply with Northern where I have passed all the assessments. If you look at the 3000 applicants . . . Thread on here re first tpe there is someone who passed all the assessments and went to the final interview but never heard anything further, whilst others updated they had got jobs or been told they had failed !

 

[David_Train]

I can appreciate that the HR staff at the first group do have a big job to do and with 3000+ applicants for each trainee role it would be hard to stop some candidates from falling through the cracks. However anyone who has every appiled to First Group has an online account and all they have to do is update the status from "invited to assessment" to "unsuccessful" and people can get on with their lives and not hanging onto false hopes. I think the first group is a good company to work for as long as you can get in!

 

[Geargrinder]

I can appreciate that the HR staff at the first group do have a big job to do and with 3000+ applicants for each trainee role it would be hard to stop some candidates from falling through the cracks. However anyone who has every appiled to First Group has an online account and all they have to do is update the status from "invited to assessment" to "unsuccessful" and people can get on with their lives and not hanging onto false hopes. I think the first group is a good company to work for as long as you can get in!

I agree, in fact there were actually 4000 + applicants. However its clear that they are still as bad when it gets down to the last 20.

 

[Scaramanga]

I was told at the first assessment that if successful the second half would be the following week. My online status changed to 'successful at part assessment' 4 weeks later an nothing in the two months since. Its things like this that reflect poorly for FGW and HRSmart, who manage the process. Simply saying 'we havent heard' repeatedly is simply not good enough in my humble opinion!

 

[David_Train]

I was told at the first assessment that if successful the second half would be the following week. My online status changed to 'successful at part assessment' 4 weeks later an nothing in the two months since. Its things like this that reflect poorly for FGW and HRSmart, who manage the process. Simply saying 'we havent heard' repeatedly is simply not good enough in my humble opinion!

Was that for FGW? If so could you PM me the recruitment phone number if you have it?

 

[Brunel]

Although this forum can be a great help to many, it's threads like this one that can be morale sapping as well, you've been waiting for weeks/months to hear a peep from HR and meanwhile you are reading posts to the effect - whoopee, just passed assessment centre/interview/ medical, been offered job, start training on xx date! At times it does feel like everybody else in the world has heard or done something but you!

Feel the same

 

[wmg75]

I was told at the first assessment that if successful the second half would be the following week. My online status changed to 'successful at part assessment' 4 weeks later an nothing in the two months since. Its things like this that reflect poorly for FGW and HRSmart, who manage the process. Simply saying 'we havent heard' repeatedly is simply not good enough in my humble opinion!

Hi Scaramanga, I agree with you totally! I also did mine at the begining of October, mine also changed to "successful at part assessment" & I havent heard anything since!!! very poor custmer service!! I'm begining to wonder if I will ever get a job with FGW as a driver!

 

[David_Train]

Just spoke to a very helpful HR member of staff at FGW and I told her I'd sat the first assessment in Reading on the 4th of October but not heard anything since. She said that I had a pass and good passes on the tests which was nice to hear. She said due to the volume of application she is waiting for slots to be signed off by the higher management so she can organise and invite ask people to the stage two assessment. I think the message is don't lose hope (I almost had).

 

[BlueMallard]

I don't want this to sound like sour-grapes, but fortunately I got an email saying I hadn't passed the first stage, just as I was about to cancel my application.

The story so far:
1) Notified the day before the tests, to attend in Reading - 1hr & £36 away.

2) At the tests, we're told that since we didn't get 7 days notice, we must sign a disclaimer to that effect - if we leave and don't take the test, it's marked as a fail - without the practice, we're at an immediate disadvantage.

3) Notified that we'd hear back in 7-days, this took 3 months with no worthwhile information from my requests.

4) It seems that some people get rail-tickets to attend the assessments- I followed this up, bt was told that assessments were held at/near the depots where vancacies were occuring. Strange, since I applied for Oxford 'not' Reading.

I feel for the people left hanging, I really do, but my experience with FGW leaves me with a bitter taste and a low opinion of them as a company.
They can't blame the people organising the tests - FGW engage those people, so FGW are still responsible for their actions.

It has made me realise that, while my current job is just a paycheck, at least they communicate and when they say something, they do it.

To all the people who pass these tests and get a job, I still have the utmost respect - you put a lot of work in, make sure you work for a company that treats you like a person.

 

[NHG66]

I don't want this to sound like sour-grapes, but fortunately I got an email saying I hadn't passed the first stage, just as I was about to cancel my application.

The story so far:
1) Notified the day before the tests, to attend in Reading - 1hr & £36 away.

2) At the tests, we're told that since we didn't get 7 days notice, we must sign a disclaimer to that effect - if we leave and don't take the test, it's marked as a fail - without the practice, we're at an immediate disadvantage.

3) Notified that we'd hear back in 7-days, this took 3 months with no worthwhile information from my requests.

4) It seems that some people get rail-tickets to attend the assessments- I followed this up, bt was told that assessments were held at/near the depots where vancacies were occuring. Strange, since I applied for Oxford 'not' Reading.

I feel for the people left hanging, I really do, but my experience with FGW leaves me with a bitter taste and a low opinion of them as a company.
They can't blame the people organising the tests - FGW engage those people, so FGW are still responsible for their actions.

It has made me realise that, while my current job is just a paycheck, at least they communicate and when they say something, they do it.

To all the people who pass these tests and get a job, I still have the utmost respect - you put a lot of work in, make sure you work for a company that treats you like a person.

Point 1, not relevent, you want the job so you take the time and pay the travelling costs to get to the interview. Pretty much the same for any other job. As for the test material, anyone serious about train driving as a career can do their own research and have easy access to all of the test material from this forum and the popular links. If people have not done so then you have to question their determination to secure this career, sorry if this sounds harsh but if you had done your homework on this career then having the test material the day before would not be an issue ( I agree that FGW should send this out in good time all the same though)

Point 2. Are you sure they siad that, there was a chap at my assessments who was in discussion with the girl from OPC and in the same situation was advised not to take the tests if he did not feel ready so as not to waste one of his two chances. Poor show by OPC if they are not allplaying by the same rules.

Point 3. Whilst I agree that it is hard when promised info and nothing is forthcoming, with over 4000 applicants and many passing the tests it is understandable. The HR staff have to deal with those selected for stage2 etc etc and due to time constraints probably had to prioritise their time t the successful ones. I know it is common practice in industry to not hear anything if you are unsuccessful. As for FGW, the HR staff still have their business as usual jobs to do on top of this recruitment drive, I am certain they are not witholding info deliberately. Not saying they are perfect but there are always two sides to a story and reasons for things.

 

[W230]

I have to agree with NHG66 on his/her points above. I can't think of many jobs where you would get your travel covered for an intial assessment to see if you even might be suitable. It's not a given! When I went to take the tests (for a different TOC) although my travel was covered, I was travelling so far I still had to pay as it was outside the franchise. I made four return trips throughout the stages of the recruitment process at my expense because I wanted the job! Five months on from starting i'm very glad I did.

I agree that you are supposed to get ample warning of the tests. There were people at my assessment day who said they didn't and they were given another date to take them (I appreciate this may not always be the case though). These driving jobs are so popular that if one person can't/won't be bothered to take the tests there is always someone waiting in the wings happy to take their place. It took nearly 9 months from the day applied to starting in training and that is by no means unusual.

I'd always assumed that while the assessments would give some idea of those who may be more suitable for the training that they would also be used to reduce numbers. However, we were told that it was in the TOC's best interest for us all to pass as they would then have a greater choice of who to take forward to the next stage. This may lead to people passing assessments but not being an interview further down the line because others had scored higher or possibly had a better application in the first place (I don't know whether they select for the next stage on assessment scores or other factors too).

If you want the job then you persevere, if you're not bothered then you don't!

 

[Nuttytoffee]

NHG66, If you were at the assessments in Paddington on 19 Dec then that person who hadn't recieved the 7 days notice and practice material was me. I went along with it because like you pointed out, there was plenty of information available online, especially here, and I had purchased the 'how to become a train driver' book which was also a huge help I did have to write on the back of one of the answer sheets that I hadn't been given the required notice and that Iknew it would be one of my two chances and although I struggled to understand the dials test at first, the OPC girl kindly went through the practice questions with me til I understood it and I would like to think I have done ok on that part of the test..........just waiting for them all important results now!

 

[Mfsds]

Just spoke to a very helpful HR member of staff at FGW and I told her I'd sat the first assessment in Reading on the 4th of October but not heard anything since. She said that I had a pass and good passes on the tests which was nice to hear. She said due to the volume of application she is waiting for slots to be signed off by the higher management so she can organise and invite ask people to the stage two assessment. I think the message is don't lose hope (I almost had).

Hi David

I attended assesment part 1 on 4th oct, Fgw finally contacted me early dec and booked me if for part 2 which I passed on 18th dec but have not had a managers int. where as a guy who was in part 1 and 2 with me has had his managers int an passed medical so I'm wondering if I didn't score high enough. It's a complete mad process where you have no idea what's happening. Maybe another toc for me but fgw have told me to hold on so maybe I still in with a shout who knows!!!

Hi all

I was in stage 1 assesment with fgw in reading on 4th oct. finally in dec I got invited for stage 2 in Newport. Emailed fgw to hear I ha got through but so far no managers int. where as, a guy who did stage 1 and 2 with me in same group has had his managers int and medical. Fgw response to me is basically hang in there we will update you soon. Such a long process with very little info but when they do contact they want you to jump literally as my friend got a call on thus midday for his managers int the following morn. I'm just confused why I haven't unless my scores were not as good

 

[David_Train]

I had my 1st assessment for FCC yesterday in Cambridge. I had to do the 2nd concentration tests and the fault finding tests because I had already passed the other tests when I was assessed for FGW in 2012. In total there was about 15/20 people sitting the tests and at the end of the day the tests were marked there and then and we were told that we all passed. We have the reaction test and interview next week again in Cambridge. My application has been going on for over 14 months and now it is happening all at once, ha. Good luck to everyone who's applications are still moving through the system.

 

[Scaramanga]

Mfsds I think you've hit the nail on the head. There simply seems to be no order to the
Process. On actually speaking to someone in HR they confirmed that I had a very good pass in Part 1 at Newport but see that Part 2 days have taken place there yet I havent heard anything whilst others have progressed quickly. It seems that you have to be lucky enough to be at the top of the pile in front of someone to progress!

 

[David_Train]

First TransPennine Express now recruiting for trainees.

 

[Mfsds]

It's a lottery and I'm not convinced scores matter a great deal as long as you don't get borderline passes. Problem is you don't wanna keep calling or emailing them but its a frustrating wait as nowadays careers are hard to come by but first don't seem to fussed about the time process involved. I applied in July 2012. I'm looking around now at other TOCs see if I can use pass with them or even FTPE. I'd relocate as its such a good opportunity if ever given the chance.

 

[Mfsds]

Just spoke to a very helpful HR member of staff at FGW and I told her I'd sat the first assessment in Reading on the 4th of October but not heard anything since. She said that I had a pass and good passes on the tests which was nice to hear. She said due to the volume of application she is waiting for slots to be signed off by the higher management so she can organise and invite ask people to the stage two assessment. I think the message is don't lose hope (I almost had).

Crazy thing is David is that I sat part 1 same time as you and only got a pass in all and I ended up sitting part 2 in December which show there is no order at all.