SWR Trainee Drivers at Staines, Woking and Waterloo

[HeelBurton]

Maybe they should make it a more attractive proposition.

I’ve been trying to kick down that door for a while mate, nobody answers!

 

[HeelBurton]

As WA driver and heel Burton have said, there is a massive wait for instructors at some depots . This has happened before and people have had to wait over 6 months for a di to become free which has stretched out the trainee training period to getting on 18 months. It's frustrating for the trainee as they just want to get on with it and pass their finals.

Ahem... it’s HeelBurton... if you put the space in the wrong place it ends up being quite evident who I am

A few trainees have quit over what’s happening, and I currently offer my services to a few depots just to try and keep things ticking over but the whole situation is pretty bad. All I can advise is patience. Things are slowly clearing up, but slowly.

 

[theironroad]

Ahem... it’s HeelBurton... if you put the space in the wrong place it ends up being quite evident who I am

A few trainees have quit over what’s happening, and I currently offer my services to a few depots just to try and keep things ticking over but the whole situation is pretty bad. All I can advise is patience. Things are slowly clearing up, but slowly.

Oops...corrected for you...

 

[SA91]

A few trainees have quit over what’s happening

Wow, that's a bit rash isn't it. After working so hard to get into that position.

 

[HeelBurton]

Oops...corrected for you...

Meh was just my sad attempt at humour

 

[MostlyHarmless]

Colleague of mine passed his assessment in May 2017 and got his first interview in December. Then a few weeks after the second one. Started training in February this year.
I’ve passed my assessments in may this year and now waiting for the interviews.
Recruitment said they short with DIs so there’s a big chance I have to wait a long time till I can have my interviews, and if I’m successful an even longer wait for the training to start.
Applied to be a driver in Basingstoke , same as my ex-colleague.

Passed my assessment in Feb for Basingstoke and still no date for a DMI. I have phoned HR and they couldn't really offer much in the way of help other than put me down for Guildford too in the hope it might speed things up.

 

[HeelBurton]

Wow, that's a bit rash isn't it. After working so hard to get into that position.

I did think this, but some people have taken pay cuts to get this job, and there seemed to be no end game at the time. And I’m talking at least 9-10 months. People got family to feed and bills to pay. Some people take loans out etc. I see both sides of the spectrum

 

[HeelBurton]

Passed my assessment in Feb for Basingstoke and still no date for a DMI. I have phoned HR and they couldn't really offer much in the way of help other than put me down for Guildford too in the hope it might speed things up.

Could you get to Salisbury?

 

[MostlyHarmless]

Could you get to Salisbury?

Well yes... I am happy to relocate as I have no ties (that originally said no toes) where I currently live other than my job - and it has been noted I believe by HR

 

[BallastMonkey]

Has anyone sat a DMI with SWR?

 

[MostlyHarmless]

Has anyone sat a DMI with SWR?

Not me personally but a chap who did his assessment day when I did got a DMI about 3 or 4 months ago. Unfortunately he was unsuccessful

 

[afc]

I applied in March this year and started my course very soon after.

 

[MostlyHarmless]

Has anyone else received an email asking them to re-apply on the FirstGroup website -

"Due to changes in our recruitment systems you are required to apply for the position of Trainee Train Driver on our new system, this will ensure that we are compliant with Data Protection legislation as well as have your current details on our new system"

 

[HeelBurton]

Has anyone else received an email asking them to re-apply on the FirstGroup website -

"Due to changes in our recruitment systems you are required to apply for the position of Trainee Train Driver on our new system, this will ensure that we are compliant with Data Protection legislation as well as have your current details on our new system"

I heard about this from a guard who applied internally. He had to apply again using the event again. I am aware now they’ve intergrated SWR careers page into the First uk page so it shows all vacancies country wide from all operators including bus etc

 

[MostlyHarmless]

Hmm well I can't seem to see my application or indeed any vacancies so it looks like I need to email them back

 

[Markdev]

Have you guys already done all the assessments who have had this email and awaiting your mmi date or have you not done the assessments yet ?

 

[HeelBurton]

It seems to be people who haven’t had any assessments but happy to be corrected

Have you guys already done all the assessments who have had this email and awaiting your mmi date or have you not done the assessments yet ?

Have you guys already done all the assessments who have had this email and awaiting your mmi date or have you not done the assessments yet ?

 

[MostlyHarmless]

Have you guys already done all the assessments who have had this email and awaiting your mmi date or have you not done the assessments yet ?

Did my assessments in Feb and have been waiting for a DMI since then

 

[Markdev]

It seems to be people who haven’t had any assessments but happy to be corrected

Ok thank you for the info

 

[Markdev]

Did my assessments in Feb and have been waiting for a DMI since then

Did mine in may I had a phone call about 4 weeks ago and was told that the nice lady at swr would be back in touch soon so I am happy with that and also I should imagine with the strikes etc going on they’ve probably got a bit on atm, I can wait I have a job so it’s not like desperation for me.

 

[MostlyHarmless]

Did mine in may I had a phone call about 4 weeks ago and was told that the nice lady at swr would be back in touch soon so I am happy with that and also I should imagine with the strikes etc going on they’ve probably got a bit on atm, I can wait I have a job so it’s not like desperation for me.

I have contacted them recently but this request to reapply is a bit odd

 

[Markdev]

I have just received the email to reapply but told all past dates will be honoured etc and have 30 days to do it, I passed all assessments in may so maybe everyone waiting may have to do this but not 100% sure on that

 

[WA_Driver]

I heard about this from a guard who applied internally. He had to apply again using the event again. I am aware now they’ve intergrated SWR careers page into the First uk page so it shows all vacancies country wide from all operators including bus etc

I also believe it to make sure any data that SWR/First have now complies with GDPR legislation...

 

[WA_Driver]

Did mine in may I had a phone call about 4 weeks ago and was told that the nice lady at swr would be back in touch soon so I am happy with that and also I should imagine with the strikes etc going on they’ve probably got a bit on atm, I can wait I have a job so it’s not like desperation for me.

And the fact that now the new timetable that was due to be put into place was withdrawn meaning that SWR no longer need the extra drivers & also the extreme shortage of DI across the network....

 

[WA_Driver]

I have just received the email to reapply but told all past dates will be honoured etc and have 30 days to do it, I passed all assessments in may so maybe everyone waiting may have to do this but not 100% sure on that

Make sure you keep that e-mail &/or ask for it in writing....

 

[Markdev]

Make sure you keep that e-mail &/or ask for it in writing....

Yes I will thank you

 

[Markdev]

Any help appreciated I have been given a date for my DMI today I have never done one up to yet, what do I need to revise on please and what examples of questions will be asked I should imagine there are lots of different questions but just an idea would be helpful thank you in advance

 

[BallastMonkey]

Any help appreciated I have been given a date for my DMI today I have never done one up to yet, what do I need to revise on please and what examples of questions will be asked I should imagine there are lots of different questions but just an idea would be helpful thank you in advance

What date have you been given and for what depot mate?

 

[Markdev]

24th August various depots though

 

[MostlyHarmless]

Any help appreciated I have been given a date for my DMI today I have never done one up to yet, what do I need to revise on please and what examples of questions will be asked I should imagine there are lots of different questions but just an idea would be helpful thank you in advance

If you do a quick search for DMI questions on here then you will get lots of answers - but they are generally in the form of 'give me an example of a time when you...'

Also do some research on the company. The areas they serve, their depots and as its a new franchise, their plans for the future. All this will be on their website and also Wikipedia