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GWR Train Driver talent pool

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BobC

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10 Feb 2019
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6
So would that mean that if you're external, but still in the talent pool you probably wont get a look in to the courses that will happen this year? Or as always just a waiting game?
 
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BobC

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10 Feb 2019
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Sorry that was directed at some of tiptoptaff's previous replies..sorry if I've miss interpreted 10 hours in too my night shift xD
 

Longggday

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18 Feb 2019
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44
So how long have you waited since you first applied mate?
I had a long process. I applied back in October 2017. And got into the talent pool March this year. I’ve now done my medical had my formal offer and waiting to start the 1st July. *waves willy* haha

I didn’t do my first assessment until July 2018.

I’m external so maybe that’s why my process took longer.
 

EBlackadder

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1 Nov 2016
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I also forgot one thing...the official ASLEF line is to obtain a 32 hour week (this is on their website, it's not a secret), which will also require many more drivers.

I really don't know how the Company will actually approach the internal/external candidate issue. To me, it seems a bit counter-intuitive. In all TOCs, the Guards function experiences considerable attrition during driver recruitment campaigns, and it's usually the 'better' ones who make it through.

With a campaign as big as this one, though, the Company will simply need to go external. There are only so many internals who want it (interestingly, many, many existing staff are completely uninterested in driving) and of them many will fail the assessment process. As we're at the start of the 'onboarding' for the most recent round I'd expect it to be mainly internals for a few months, but I can't see externals having to wait much longer.
 

Tommy222256

Member
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28 Mar 2019
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150
I had a long process. I applied back in October 2017. And got into the talent pool March this year. I’ve now done my medical had my formal offer and waiting to start the 1st July. *waves willy* haha

I didn’t do my first assessment until July 2018.

I’m external so maybe that’s why my process took longer.
Yeah I’m the same as that really mate, applied June 2017, got in the talent pool last month!
 

Tommy222256

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28 Mar 2019
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150
Has anyone on this thread been offered a start date recently who has asked for Oxford or Reading?
 

tiptoptaff

Established Member
Joined
15 Feb 2013
Messages
2,983
I also forgot one thing...the official ASLEF line is to obtain a 32 hour week (this is on their website, it's not a secret), which will also require many more drivers.

I really don't know how the Company will actually approach the internal/external candidate issue. To me, it seems a bit counter-intuitive. In all TOCs, the Guards function experiences considerable attrition during driver recruitment campaigns, and it's usually the 'better' ones who make it through.

With a campaign as big as this one, though, the Company will simply need to go external. There are only so many internals who want it (interestingly, many, many existing staff are completely uninterested in driving) and of them many will fail the assessment process. As we're at the start of the 'onboarding' for the most recent round I'd expect it to be mainly internals for a few months, but I can't see externals having to wait much longer.

Which is indeed what has happened here. EB and I applied to separate campaigns. The one which I applied to was Internal only, with a pool of around 35 made up from existing staff. This time around, HR didn't believe there would be enough applications from existing staff alone to fill the vacancies (due to how large the drive is and how recent the previous one was) It is hard to say at the moment when the next big recruitment drive will be once the applicants from this go are exhausted. It is hard to say how many driers will be needed then, and in the interim, how many extra staff in other grades are recruited and/or become eligible to apply.

It's purely guesswork. I suspect at some point everyone in the pool will get a job. But as to when that is depends on the priority placed on your depot at the time
 

Mintona

Established Member
Joined
8 Jan 2006
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3,592
Location
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I also forgot one thing...the official ASLEF line is to obtain a 32 hour week (this is on their website, it's not a secret), which will also require many more drivers.

I really don't know how the Company will actually approach the internal/external candidate issue. To me, it seems a bit counter-intuitive. In all TOCs, the Guards function experiences considerable attrition during driver recruitment campaigns, and it's usually the 'better' ones who make it through.

With a campaign as big as this one, though, the Company will simply need to go external. There are only so many internals who want it (interestingly, many, many existing staff are completely uninterested in driving) and of them many will fail the assessment process. As we're at the start of the 'onboarding' for the most recent round I'd expect it to be mainly internals for a few months, but I can't see externals having to wait much longer.

It feels like everyone I’ve spoken to recently has either just passed an assessment or is just about to have an interview or has just applied for the job. The level of recruitment at the moment feels a bit unprecedented, certainly since I’ve been here. I reckon it’s almost certainly related to getting Sundays inside the working week.

I look forward to seeing you all in the mess room at some point! Congratulations to everybody who has a start date, and if you don’t, you probably will soon.
 

LeGrimpeur

Member
Joined
26 Sep 2017
Messages
159
It feels like everyone I’ve spoken to recently has either just passed an assessment or is just about to have an interview or has just applied for the job. The level of recruitment at the moment feels a bit unprecedented, certainly since I’ve been here. I reckon it’s almost certainly related to getting Sundays inside the working week.

I look forward to seeing you all in the mess room at some point! Congratulations to everybody who has a start date, and if you don’t, you probably will soon.
I hope so.
Checking my phone and emails has become an obsession!

Good luck to everyone in the thread.
 

Goingloco

Member
Joined
4 Mar 2015
Messages
134
Does anyone know what happens if you're sat in the talent pool waiting and your 5 year test anniversary passes? Do you get kicked out and pushed back to square one?
 

Stigy

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Joined
6 Nov 2009
Messages
4,879
Does anyone know what happens if you're sat in the talent pool waiting and your 5 year test anniversary passes? Do you get kicked out and pushed back to square one?
You’ll have to resist them, but GWR may put you through them? Mine had a year to go, and they knew this from the outset (as they would even if I’d not mentioned it I assume?). I’d like to think they’d consider when placing someone in a pool; a) The length of time in the pool (before being offered a job) would unlikely ‘outlast’ the psychometric assessments’ validity or b) be prepared to reassess you if they do? Of course, I can’t say for sure either way. Recruitment would be able to advise I’d imagine?
 

tiptoptaff

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15 Feb 2013
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2,983
Does anyone know what happens if you're sat in the talent pool waiting and your 5 year test anniversary passes? Do you get kicked out and pushed back to square one?
If they expire it's back to square one
 

387star

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16 Nov 2009
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6,653
Interesting stuff good job they are taking on qualifieds too I guess they can be churned out in a matter of months depending on route norms
 

EBlackadder

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1 Nov 2016
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31
September's course has been allocated, by the looks of it. I'm aware of 4 internal staff with invites to medicals. They are split over two depots.
 

Des587

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Joined
21 Mar 2015
Messages
101
September's course has been allocated, by the looks of it. I'm aware of 4 internal staff with invites to medicals. They are split over two depots.
Guessing externals wouldn’t be informed due to BH today, here’s hoping for something soon
 

Mintona

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8 Jan 2006
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3,592
Location
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September's course has been allocated, by the looks of it. I'm aware of 4 internal staff with invites to medicals. They are split over two depots.

There are going to be so many of you starting in the next few months. I hope you all get namebadges!
 

zoo

Member
Joined
26 Jan 2015
Messages
52
Wonder if they will let people know about October courses
September's course has been allocated, by the looks of it. I'm aware of 4 internal staff with invites to medicals. They are split over two depots.
 

LeGrimpeur

Member
Joined
26 Sep 2017
Messages
159
Is there a number for gwr recruitment?
I found one on the website but it just played a pre recorded message.
 

JayRichardson

New Member
Joined
7 May 2019
Messages
1
I applied for the trainee driver for GWR in December. I passed the SJT and VSE that they set out, I passed those tests but still failed the application. I have a feeling my profile may have let the application down. How do I get my application and profile into a position which is more attractive and stands me with a higher possibility of succeeding and getting into the pre assessment tests. Also, not sure whether or not its known, is there high possibility that GWR are going to put the vancancy online again. I have to say, I was actually devistated I hadnt proceeded :(.
 

Stigy

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Joined
6 Nov 2009
Messages
4,879
I applied for the trainee driver for GWR in December. I passed the SJT and VSE that they set out, I passed those tests but still failed the application. I have a feeling my profile may have let the application down. How do I get my application and profile into a position which is more attractive and stands me with a higher possibility of succeeding and getting into the pre assessment tests. Also, not sure whether or not its known, is there high possibility that GWR are going to put the vancancy online again. I have to say, I was actually devistated I hadnt proceeded :(.
Hi Jay,

It's very competitive and often takes several attempts to even get past the papersift. It's difficult to advise on your application form without knowing what yours contained, or indeed what was required (I can't remember whether I even needed to put a CV with mine?).
 
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