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First Group Trainee Train Drivers

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Daydr3am3r

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7 Dec 2018
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That is a long day! At least you know how you did on the day though.

It was just the paper tests today, and if successful stage 2 is the computerised tests and MMI.
 
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Lewis H

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11 Dec 2018
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That is a long day! At least you know how you did on the day though.

It was just the paper tests today, and if successful stage 2 is the computerised tests and MMI.
The computer tests are fairly simple I think, the one you watch the black square seems to take forever but easy enough
 

PaulBusDriver

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I passed to national standard too for another TOC and like you have done the online assessments but am yet to hear anything back.

It looks like we will be waiting for the stage 1 assessments to be complete before we get a date for the stage 2 assessments.

I have passed all the assessments with other toc and also did not hear ever since completing the IBM Checking test completed in the first week of Dec 2018.
 

TTD85

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I passed to national standard too for another TOC and like you have done the online assessments but am yet to hear anything back.

It looks like we will be waiting for the stage 1 assessments to be complete before we get a date for the stage 2 assessments.

Where did you apply for?
 

Daydr3am3r

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As far as I am aware the only two depots with assessment dates so far are Exeter age Bristol, so that could be why.
 

Chuggintons

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31 Dec 2018
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I was also at the morning session of the Exeter assessment day, I agree that about 20 - 25 people attended.
Did anyone attend the afternoon session? I wonder if similar numbers attended in the afternoon, or did more people prefer the morning session?
 

Stigy

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Received an invite today for a DMI for Fratton. Wasn’t expecting Ito be honest as I’d heard a lot had received invites already. I don’t have to do any of the psychometric assesments as I have done them all and passed in one way or another in the last five years. Fingers crossed for this one.
 

Daydr3am3r

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Received an invite today for a DMI for Fratton. Wasn’t expecting Ito be honest as I’d heard a lot had received invites already. I don’t have to do any of the psychometric assesments as I have done them all and passed in one way or another in the last five years. Fingers crossed for this one.

Congratulations! What is the date for your DMI?
 

Stigy

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Congratulations! What is the date for your DMI?
Thanks, it’s on 24th Jan. I’m a tad confused to be honest. A mate of mine who is a depot driver also got an interview for GWR, but was told that he would need to do the psychometric tests again as his current ones expire soon (I thought they were for life, but apparently not for depot drivers?). I am also led to believe that GWR allow you to use the test passes for 5 years, hence why I have gone straight to interview. So I wonder why they on the one hand say he needs to redo the assessments, and on the other hand invite him to a DMI in the first instance? Seems there’s a lot of inconsistencies in HR departments?

I’ve never known a TOC invite a candidate to a DMI when they haven’t completed the assessments , as that surely makes no sense?
 

Daydr3am3r

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Thanks, it’s on 24th Jan. I’m a tad confused to be honest. A mate of mine who is a depot driver also got an interview for GWR, but was told that he would need to do the psychometric tests again as his current ones expire soon (I thought they were for life, but apparently not for depot drivers?). I am also led to believe that GWR allow you to use the test passes for 5 years, hence why I have gone straight to interview. So I wonder why they on the one hand say he needs to redo the assessments, and on the other hand invite him to a DMI in the first instance? Seems there’s a lot of inconsistencies in HR departments?

That does sound a tad strange! At least you don’t have long to wait for your interview.
 

tiptoptaff

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15 Feb 2013
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Be prepared for a long wait for Fratton. No obvious need for drivers at this time, just setting up a pool. You may face the risk of yours expiring while you're waiting.
 

Daydr3am3r

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7 Dec 2018
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Found out this afternoon that I have been successful at stage 1 assessments. Now onto stage 2!!!!!!
 

baz962

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8 Jun 2017
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Does anyone know what the current starting trainee salary is? Is it still £29k?

Sorry . to clarify any confusion, I trained with and drive for a different company. I was just letting people know that the Aslef site isn't always correct.
 

RailRoadRover

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15 Jan 2019
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Oh right thank you for clarifying that. I am aware that the Aslef site can be a little outdated regarding the salary and terms and conditions
 

Val3ntine

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29 Apr 2015
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Location
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In my DMI the other day, the training salary for SWR was starting at £24k plus London weight, but regular increments throughout training.

I wouldn’t say the increments are regular per say at SWR. You’re on the inital wage for about 3 months, pass rules and you get a couple of grand more. Then you’re on that for a pretty long time, varies between 8-12 months before it takes you to do traction and complete all your hours with a DI before hopefully getting your key. Then about 3-6 months of route learning before you’re on the full whack.
 
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Lewis H

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11 Dec 2018
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I wouldn’t say the increments are regular per say at SWR. You’re on the inital wage for about 3 months, pass rules and you get a couple of grand more. Then you’re on that for a pretty long time, varies between 8-12 months before it takes you to do traction and complete all your hours with a DI before hopefully getting your key. Then about 3-6 months of route learning before you’re on the full whack.
That’s a lot more regular than any other job you’re going to find though!
 

TheVicLine

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21 Aug 2012
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Location
Liverpool
Not sure about GWR but others within First Group you get your starting trainee salary, this is increased when you complete your training and "pass out" to about £5k (ish) below the full drivers salary. You are then a PQA driver for a year, when your PQA period is completed your salary again rises, this time to the full drivers wage.
After 3 years your holiday allowance is also brought in line with the rest of the drivers, up until then I think from memory you get 1 or 2 days less.
 

dean smith

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20 Jan 2019
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Anyone from GWR heard anything - those who have passed the the tests previously?
I was informed early December that I had passed all the assessments for trainee Driver Reading, just waiting now for the next stage.
Anyone any idea how long it usually takes before they send for you to go for medical etc?
 

Lewis H

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11 Dec 2018
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I was informed early December that I had passed all the assessments for trainee Driver Reading, just waiting now for the next stage.
Anyone any idea how long it usually takes before they send for you to go for medical etc?
How longs a piece of string!
 

Eggs&Bacon

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3 May 2017
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Been invited for a MMI today after passing stage 1 in May 2018. Just incase anyone’s wondering how long the process can take.
 

Static65

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2 Aug 2018
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I had my DMI with GWR yesterday and received confirmation today that I passed and have been placed in the Talent Pool for Oxford.

My interview was with the driver managers for both Reading and Oxford (who were both lovely and really relaxed, friendly interviewers in case anyone has a DMI coming up).

They asked me several times if I was applying for Reading or Oxford and I selected Oxford as I have a friend that lives there, but otherwise I have no connection to either and would be equally happy with Reading.

Does anyone have any knowledge of what the different routes / depots are like as places to work. I am happy to wait for a place at Oxford, but given that I was only interviewed by managers from both locations this week it may be possible to switch to the reading pool if there was a compelling reason to.
 
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