First Group Trainee Train Drivers

[Stigy]

I don't know what you were expecting salary wise, but GWR is fairly high in terms of trainee salary

Agreed. Not sure if it used to be this high though? I know others start lower but often have incremental raises throughout the training whereas GWR trainee pay doesn’t?

Freightliner was about the lowest I’ve seen at £20k with one or two increased within a year or so if memory serves me. SWR start on about £25k but have several increases, raising to about £36k within the first year.

£27.5k is very good when you consider what other jobs pay, and bearing in mind you’re quite a risk to them at this point as there’s quite some investment from the TOC in the trainee.

 

[1494]

Agreed. Not sure if it used to be this high though? I know others start lower but often have incremental raises throughout the training whereas GWR trainee pay doesn’t?

Freightliner was about the lowest I’ve seen at £20k with one or two increased within a year or so if memory serves me. SWR start on about £25k but have several increases, raising to about £36k within the first year.

£27.5k is very good when you consider what other jobs pay, and bearing in mind you’re quite a risk to them at this point as there’s quite some investment from the TOC in the trainee.

I think it’s more the drop in my current salary that was a shock rather than the joining pay, but that’s something I will need to get my head around. I know I can’t expect to walk into another job and earn the same as i’m earning now.

But sacrifices will need to be made which I’m prepared to do, one of those things.

As long as I’m armed with enough information I can pre-plan then it shouldn’t be an issue.

Does anyone know what the pension contributions are in %? I was told around 8%.

Tom

 

[tiptoptaff]

It's about 6%

 

[387star]

There are no increases between Day1 and the "handshake" with the Regional Driver Manager where they 'give you your key' (although you'll have keys ready for your handling)
As Captain Slackbladder says, the 80% will be of 62k, so approx 50. For an ex-West driver, that's above the 100% salary from pre-harmonisation.

The time it takes depends on availability of instructors. Some get through in 10months, others up to 18.

At thameslink people have taken over two years to pass out due to six month plus wait for DIs but they get reimbursed for that wait beyond a certain point

 

[Stigy]

At thameslink people have taken over two years to pass out due to six month plus wait for DIs but they get reimbursed for that wait beyond a certain point

It’s been the same at SWR I’ve heard. People have been waiting months to start driving due to a lack of DIs.

 

[387star]

At Three Bridges they took on 48 trainees in a short space of time so not surprising

Believe now Gillingham/Ashford trainees are staying in hotels in Brighton as they are being paired with Brighton trainers or face commuting to brighton via southeastern high speed

There were also delays as the 700s entered service with trainees unable to drive (awaiting traction training) hence the DI driving wasting a resource ... also spending five weeks on traction many wouldn't drive once qualified. Add to that Sutton loops when there were only a few jobs at Bridges /Brighton at the time and it took a long time to sign all routes plus diversions unlike other depots where routes can be gradually signed off

So yeah many variables

 

[Longggday]

It’s been the same at SWR I’ve heard. People have been waiting months to start driving due to a lack of DIs.

Do you know whether this is the same GWR?

 

[tiptoptaff]

Do you know whether this is the same GWR?

Read above

 

[Ebee]

DMI done. Felt more like an induction than an interview. Very nice interviewers.

 

[Stigy]

DMI done. Felt more like an induction than an interview. Very nice interviewers.

It was the same for me, one of the best I’d felt about an interview for sometime. What depot you apply for? Best of luck!

 

[Ebee]

It was the same for me, one of the best I’d felt about an interview for sometime. What depot you apply for? Best of luck!

I applied for Paddington. So would be HEX.

 

[Ebee]

Got an email saying I have been successful in my DMI . I am officially in the pool awaiting medical.

 

[Des587]

Got an email saying I have been successful in my DMI . I am officially in the pool awaiting medical.

Congratulations. Have you been giving a start date, thought medical were booked as part of a conditional offer

 

[Ebee]

Congratulations. Have you been giving a start date, thought medical were booked as part of a conditional offer

During the interview they said the next course may be in October. So I'm just waiting for a medical. Or see what happens in the meantime

 

[Stigy]

Congratulations. Have you been giving a start date, thought medical were booked as part of a conditional offer

The conditional offer comes when they pull you out of the pool. The pool is where you’re placed until a vacancy becomes available.

 

[Ebee]

Missed a call from recruitment this morning. Now the number I've been asked to ring is not be answered haha irony.

 

[Ebee]

Start date confirmed for October

 

[Termy]

Start date confirmed for October

Well, now I really need to pull out all the stops on Friday... XD

 

[Stigy]

Start date confirmed for October

Quick turnaround for you then! Congrats!

 

[Longggday]

Congrats everyone getting a start date.

It’s great to see things progress.

 

[Ebee]

Well, now I really need to pull out all the stops on Friday... XD

I'm sure you will do fine. Seems like they really need drivers and you know your stuff good luck!

 

[Ebee]

Quick turnaround for you then! Congrats!

Yh seriously was I was in the pool one day :-/

 

[Goingloco]

that's brilliant, congrats. It is amusing how it's so different from person to person, almost like a lottery.