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First Great Western - Trainee Drivers

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daddy_badger

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timetables are a good start, if applying for bristol you will know what gw services run from there. solely give you an idea what routes you would sign. a network map has all the interchange stations which may be helpful.
 
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sw1ller

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I can understand everyone wanting to get ahead and stand out but isn't learning the tunnels, level crossings and signal identification markers going a bit far? How would you even broach the subject? Also, how long between no and the managers interview do you think we have? Don't stress yourselves out learning this info when you may never need it. I certainly wont be learning any of this stuff, i'll be learning about the company, showing ive don't relevant research but not as far as learning the routes. As someone said earlier, going in showing you have already done your own bit of training could actually hold you back. Just my thoughts anyway.
 

SkinnyDave

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I can understand everyone wanting to get ahead and stand out but isn't learning the tunnels, level crossings and signal identification markers going a bit far? How would you even broach the subject? Also, how long between no and the managers interview do you think we have? Don't stress yourselves out learning this info when you may never need it. I certainly wont be learning any of this stuff, i'll be learning about the company, showing ive don't relevant research but not as far as learning the routes. As someone said earlier, going in showing you have already done your own bit of training could actually hold you back. Just my thoughts anyway.

And there is the small matter of assessments to get through first :|
 

TDK

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I can understand everyone wanting to get ahead and stand out but isn't learning the tunnels, level crossings and signal identification markers going a bit far? How would you even broach the subject? Also, how long between no and the managers interview do you think we have? Don't stress yourselves out learning this info when you may never need it. I certainly wont be learning any of this stuff, i'll be learning about the company, showing ive don't relevant research but not as far as learning the routes. As someone said earlier, going in showing you have already done your own bit of training could actually hold you back. Just my thoughts anyway.

The original question was regading learning the rule book, I answered if you want to learn anything it would be more beneficial to have a look at the routes as it is this bit of the training that you need to do on your own. If someone wants to do this it is down to them, but learning anything in the rule book will not be beneficial.
 

sw1ller

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The original question was regading learning the rule book, I answered if you want to learn anything it would be more beneficial to have a look at the routes as it is this bit of the training that you need to do on your own. If someone wants to do this it is down to them, but learning anything in the rule book will not be beneficial.

Ah, I forgot about the mentioning of the rule book, I see your point now. However, how many candidates do you think are going for these positions? How many positions are there? If its anything like the FTPE one then its 8000 for 10 jobs. I think people may be cramming some very dense information into their brains WAAAY too early. I've always thought it more important to understand timetables and more about the company, background, franchise ect.. But I can see how showing a willing to learn now would impress, I just think now is too soon.
 

SkinnyDave

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Ah, I forgot about the mentioning of the rule book, I see your point now. However, how many candidates do you think are going for these positions? How many positions are there? If its anything like the FTPE one then its 8000 for 10 jobs. I think people may be cramming some very dense information into their brains WAAAY too early. I've always thought it more important to understand timetables and more about the company, background, franchise ect.. But I can see how showing a willing to learn now would impress, I just think now is too soon.

Hi There,
There will be a huge amount going for it but difference between TPE is there is a much larger amount of positions to fill.. Someone said they are looking at starting a course every other month.
Big recruitment drive.
 

sw1ller

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Hi There,
There will be a huge amount going for it but difference between TPE is there is a much larger amount of positions to fill.. Someone said they are looking at starting a course every other month.
Big recruitment drive.

I hope so, I don't think I could begin to describe how much I want a drivers job, the more positions the better the chance. Are any of these positions for HST at all?
 

svrdan

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Keen to know this. With the depots on the advertisement, im feel its inclining towards that but rumors i hear that you may start on local routes before advancing onto the main routes?

Any light on this?
 

Plonk

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To be fair it does not help in reading the NR rulebook as from experience trainees who have studied the rule book tend to get more confused on the rule course and actually hold the others back. I would leave it be and take the course from scratch without any prior knowledge as this nis what the course is designed for. If you want to learn something in advance to help you it would be learn all the stations on the routes and the junction names, tunnel names, LC names on the routes your depot signs. This will more relevent to your training at a later date than trying to understand the rule book!

When completing Drivers report form they actually ecourage you to print it in capital letters

Why would you want a head start on the other candidates, you will be known as a know it all and first impressions last a long time

Sounds like sensible advice from someone who knows...
 

SkinnyDave

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based on what others have said on excisting waiting lists I highly doubt HSS will take on trainees but you never know! .
IEP and electrification might mean there are more opportunities to go up the links further down the line if you pardon the pun..
 
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tiptoptaff

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I hope so, I don't think I could begin to describe how much I want a drivers job, the more positions the better the chance. Are any of these positions for HST at all?

AFAIK - HST links are filled by the promotion of suburban drivers. There aren't any HST trainees
 

455driver

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HSS wont be taking on trainees (except possibly at Swansea, no unit work) but there is a long list of FGW wanting to go HS so any vacancies will be taken up by internal transfers.
 

sw1ller

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Thought this would be the case but I needed to ask the question. I'm pretty certain I will "cope" with driving the slower link trains for 10 years or so while I wait to get pushed up the ladder. :)
 

anthony263

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Thought this would be the case but I needed to ask the question. I'm pretty certain I will "cope" with driving the slower link trains for 10 years or so while I wait to get pushed up the ladder. :)

Certainly I would be happy driving local services building up experience of driving trains before I even think of stepping foot into the cab of a hst or IEP.
 

Red18

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I just checked the Application Submission Page on the FG web site and noticed that the closing date had changed from 3/5 to 9/5. I wonder if they did actually extend the application process for some reason or if this is just an error. I'm sure it said 3/5 last week.
Don't suppose it matters much now anyway.
 

TPA

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I just checked the Application Submission Page on the FG web site and noticed that the closing date had changed from 3/5 to 9/5. I wonder if they did actually extend the application process for some reason or if this is just an error. I'm sure it said 3/5 last week.
Don't suppose it matters much now anyway.

Yes, I noticed that and wondered why? I'm showing as still awaiting short listing but everyone seems to suggest it's a game of patience. Has anyone out there heard anything more?
 

anthony263

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Yes, I noticed that and wondered why? I'm showing as still awaiting short listing but everyone seems to suggest it's a game of patience. Has anyone out there heard anything more?

I am still in the same position as you and its the same with the other vacancies I have applied for with FGW and First Bus (Bus conducter in Weymouth).
 

SkinnyDave

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That's FGW looking for a driver trainer in Bristol..

I've only been waiting two weeks and I am wanting to go forward but think we are in for a long wait yet :|
 

reapz

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Indeed, if you dont ask you wont know.

Now whats the betting on FGW taking on a couple of trainees for Swansea? :lol:

Swansea is a hss depot, there is a ptr waiting list to get in there so no chance of trainees same as plymouth
 

455driver

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Promotion, Transfer and Relocation.

Its actually PTR&R where there is a redundancy in there as well.
 

Brunel

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Does anyone know if fgw accept borderline pass on the cbi I have a good pass on reaction test

I wouldn't worry too much. Nearly all the applicants have borderline passes. It is rare to get a good pass right across all the tests.
 

SkinnyDave

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I think some have heard from Reading and Paddington

Don't think any from Bristol yet??
 

barrykas

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Finally got a response from FGW...Only got a borderline pass on the Group Bordon so I'm SOL. :(
 
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