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GTR - Trainee Train Driver vacancies (07/12/20)

choochoochoo

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6 Aug 2013
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1,217
You’ll still have to rock up. They’ll check the database to see if your test scores meet their enhanced marks (remember every TOC that wants enhanced has their own enhanced score. It’s not standardised like the national pass). You’ll also likely have to sit the Driver Fault Finding Test (DFFT) as they require it as per of their testing but not many other TOC’s do.
Don't understand why GTR still do fault finding. If you get a fault you have to call fleet and do as they say. Drivers arent allowed to fault find anymore, so feels a bit redundant to do it.
 
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Cassy j

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15 Jun 2019
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128
You’ll still have to rock up. They’ll check the database to see if your test scores meet their enhanced marks (remember every TOC that wants enhanced has their own enhanced score. It’s not standardised like the national pass). You’ll also likely have to sit the Driver Fault Finding Test (DFFT) as they require it as per of their testing but not many other TOC’s do.
I have done the dfft and it is a bit hard to just turn up and prepare for everything if you shouldn't have to do it
 

choochoochoo

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I have done the dfft and it is a bit hard to just turn up and prepare for everything if you shouldn't have to do it
To be fair, if you really wanted the job you'd attend regardless. If you get sent home not having to do anything, then that's a bonus.
 

joshuan542

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Joined
20 Feb 2019
Messages
116
Don't understand why GTR still do fault finding. If you get a fault you have to call fleet and do as they say. Drivers arent allowed to fault find anymore, so feels a bit redundant to do it.
Not quite correct, We still do fault rectification to a degree

Having passed the online tests in January, I have been waiting for an assessment date.
Initially I was told the February dates were full and I would be contacted to book a date in March. Subsequently received further updates to say the March and April dates were full.
Received a further email today to say they have filled their dates up to the end of June with candidates randomly selected. They expect to allocate July and August dates in June.
A very long patient wait.
Sadly this information is commonplace for driver positions, do not rely on this as you could potentially even wait years. Many I know are still awaiting their course date after 2 years sadly
 

choochoochoo

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Not quite correct, We still do fault rectification to a degree

On what traction are you allowed to do fault rectification by yourself without calling fleet control first ? Can't even flip MCBs without them telling you to do so.
 

Big dom

Member
Joined
1 Feb 2016
Messages
50
To be fair, if you really wanted the job you'd attend regardless. If you get sent home not having to do anything, then that's a bonus.
I would happily turn up with just a few hours notice just to have a chance of doing the tests . I am always amazed that people always look for obstacles . People should take every opportunity going as this is a fantastic career with no equals out there
 

choochoochoo

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I would happily turn up with just a few hours notice just to have a chance of doing the tests . I am always amazed that people always look for obstacles . People should take every opportunity going as this is a fantastic career with no equals out there
Agreed. It's like having passed the tests they have some sense of entitlement over other applicants.
 

ComUtoR

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13 Dec 2013
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Don't understand why GTR still do fault finding. If you get a fault you have to call fleet and do as they say. Drivers arent allowed to fault find anymore, so feels a bit redundant to do it.

There is a difference between the kind of people who will open up the back wall cupboard of a 700 because Fleet said to "open the left hand cupboard" and then swear blindly that there is no '[insert name] MCB' and cause all sorts of delays and the other type of person who will open the other side because its 'the other left'

There is still a few non technical skills involved in fault finding. Don't forget that the tests are about aptitude.

I was doing a fault run on the sim the other day and I asked the person in the chair how many faults they had. As you well know, the HMI will specifically tell you. Suffice to say they still didn't figure it out.

Aptitude tests can weed out those who will struggle to figure out simple errors or tasks that might just need a nudge in your thinking.
 

choochoochoo

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6 Aug 2013
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1,217
There is a difference between the kind of people who will open up the back wall cupboard of a 700 because Fleet said to "open the left hand cupboard" and then swear blindly that there is no '[insert name] MCB' and cause all sorts of delays and the other type of person who will open the other side because its 'the other left'

There is still a few non technical skills involved in fault finding. Don't forget that the tests are about aptitude.

I was doing a fault run on the sim the other day and I asked the person in the chair how many faults they had. As you well know, the HMI will specifically tell you. Suffice to say they still didn't figure it out.

Aptitude tests can weed out those who will struggle to figure out simple errors or tasks that might just need a nudge in your thinking.
True, but the DFFT is quite specific in the way it is designed to test for fault finding skills. The 'if this indication is showing and this light is flashing then take this action' test is not very reflective of what drivers do these days. A test on how to interpret fleet instructions might be more appropriate these days !!

Fleet are normally better than saying LH/RH cupboard these days. They normally say drivers/non-drivers (secondman) cupboard. If they don't I always clarify with them anyway.
 

ComUtoR

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I think we would like the tests to be more reflective of our day jobs. Psychological and Aptitude testing goes back many many years. Those pesky people in white coats and lots of letters after their names kinda know what they are doing.

I've had some rather amusing conversations with fleet over the years :) There are also situations where the train doesn't behave like it should or where the Driver could have done the easiest of things to get the unit moving again but didn't.

Anyone going over to GTR may well find themselves driving a 700. For some, the HMI is the mutts nuts and they can navigate it like a rat in a science maze. For others its like the Devil himself is using it to slowly claim their soul.

If they don't I always clarify with them anyway.

Which is a perfect example of using your non technical skills. Not everyone can do it.
 

sei108

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24 Mar 2021
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42
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Earth
SCAAT all done :lol: feel like it went well and can only smile as it's out of my hands now. I must say I thought that one had to tally what we were asked to look for - was much simpler just clicking the requested letters. Good luck to all8-)
Well that's me out for 6 months! All the best to those still in the process!
 

sei108

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24 Mar 2021
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I sincerely hope its a lot quicker for you guys! I can't apply again now till October but I think it may have been other factors as the email didn't actually say I failed the scaat! Still have another application live so fingers crossed on that! All the best
Unlucky . But at this rate it will be 6 months or longer or never before we get an assessment day
 

Greg1

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27 Apr 2021
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Nellie*1
Hello all,

I recently failed the MiniScaat in the GTR recruitment. I’ve just got a quick question if anyone can answer?

I received a ‘perfect’ score on the 3 practice tests. So I assumed I had carried out the 3 real tests correctly. However I’m now doubting myself on the third test.

As I’m sure many of you know, you have to find a letter throughout the last test. But also click the first letter of each line and then whenever that letter is repeated on that line. This is where I think I may have gone wrong...
If the letter was upper case, I only clicked the upper case version of that letter. I now believe I should’ve clicked any form of the letter upper or lower case.

Can anyone shed some light on this for me? It would be much appreciated.

If I did do it correctly then I’ll at least know that I failed due to speed or inaccuracies rather than that.

Thanks in advance
Greg
 

Big dom

Member
Joined
1 Feb 2016
Messages
50
Hello all,

I recently failed the MiniScaat in the GTR recruitment. I’ve just got a quick question if anyone can answer?

I received a ‘perfect’ score on the 3 practice tests. So I assumed I had carried out the 3 real tests correctly. However I’m now doubting myself on the third test.

As I’m sure many of you know, you have to find a letter throughout the last test. But also click the first letter of each line and then whenever that letter is repeated on that line. This is where I think I may have gone wrong...
If the letter was upper case, I only clicked the upper case version of that letter. I now believe I should’ve clicked any form of the letter upper or lower case.

Can anyone shed some light on this for me? It would be much appreciated.

If I did do it correctly then I’ll at least know that I failed due to speed or inaccuracies rather than that.

Thanks in advance
Greg
You did it correctly Greg . I can’t shed any light on what speed or accuracy GTR are looking for . Better luck next time
 

Greg1

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27 Apr 2021
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2
Location
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You did it correctly Greg . I can’t shed any light on what speed or accuracy GTR are looking for . Better luck next time
Thanks Dom, at least I know for next time I just need to be quicker (and possibly more accurate).

All the best
Greg
 

Joshy

Member
Joined
17 Mar 2021
Messages
9
Location
London
I just received a message that I've passed the mini Scaat, I think I did well on the 1st and 3rd tests. lets hope I get booked for the assessment centre soon. How long did you guys have to wait for an assessment centre date?
 

Firstclass

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27 Apr 2021
Messages
5
Location
London
Just received an email confirmation saying I passed the mini scaat test (which caught me by surprise). I’m now just waiting for an assessment date. Can anyone advise on how long it usually takes to get an assessment date?
 

ChooChooXpress

New Member
Joined
20 Apr 2021
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2
Location
London
I just received a message that I've passed the mini Scaat, I think I did well on the 1st and 3rd tests. lets hope I get booked for the assessment centre soon. How long did you guys have to wait for an assessment centre date?
Well done, how many lines would you say you completed roughly per sheet?
 

DawnieC

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Joined
16 Apr 2021
Messages
5
Location
london
Hey all thank you for all the advice on here and the support, it seems I failed the mini scaat so thats me out sadly. Good luck to you all and beat wishes xx

LOL good to hear you have done it too :D I felt that slight shaking when I was doing it, I think it was more about my positioning though as the test wasn't that bad :lol: . Saying that I have been overthinking my performance since, awaiting the results email patiently!
Hope you passed it was nerve wracking, I didn't pass but I'm sure ill try again in the future xx
 
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sei108

Member
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24 Mar 2021
Messages
42
Location
Earth
Hope you passed it was nerve wracking, I didn't pass but I'm sure ill try again in the future xx
I didn't unfortunately, received the 'didn't meet the required criteria on this occasion' email. I did wonder if I didn't pass the mini scaat or if maybe distance or any other factors can also contribute to a no vote as I felt I did well on the scaat. All in all, the process is over for now but was still a good experience, wishing you luck with future applications :D
 

CurtisGodby

Member
Joined
17 Jul 2017
Messages
13
hey guys I had a call today from GTR regarding my DMI last week I tried to call back but i reckon it was out of office hours. Is this involved in the recruitment process of being successful or should I be expecting a email?
 

Vola_c

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Joined
7 Dec 2020
Messages
55
Location
Angmering
hey guys I had a call today from GTR regarding my DMI last week I tried to call back but i reckon it was out of office hours. Is this involved in the recruitment process of being successful or should I be expecting a email?
They're calling you with a result. They do it all by phone after the assessment day stage. Fingers crossed it's good news for you.
 

CurtisGodby

Member
Joined
17 Jul 2017
Messages
13
They're calling you with a result. They do it all by phone after the assessment day stage. Fingers crossed it's good news for you.
Thank you very much was a bit gutted I missed it, hopefully it is a positive phone call :lol:
 

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