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GWR Train Driver talent pool

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TheGoldfish

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28 May 2019
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196
Isn't it just? I really can't believe I am so close, but so far away. I met a friend at Paddington station yesterday, and actually felt a feeling of being... unwelcome there, as opposed to my usual "I love this station" feeling. Wanted to get in and out as quick as possible. That's how this whole thing has made me feel, it's made me actually dislike being in my favourite train station!

In other news... 13:51, and I have a response from HR!
"Thank you for your email. We have no further updates, thank you for your continued patience."

Sigh...

i cant understand this .. its not like you're asking them for timescales or next stages .. .you simply want the interview result .. a yes or a no .. right??

its probably time to talk to someone as it sounds to me like you're getting a generic (or even automated) response and they are not aware of your actual situation ?

don't want to rub salt in .. but they emailed my DMI result same day before i even made it home after?? ... so something wrong here it seems so getting to actually speak to someone seems pretty reasonable now i think??
 
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Termy

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226
i cant understand this .. its not like you're asking them for timescales or next stages .. .you simply want the interview result .. a yes or a no .. right??

its probably time to talk to someone as it sounds to me like you're getting a generic (or even automated) response and they are not aware of your actual situation ?

don't want to rub salt in .. but they emailed my DMI result same day before i even made it home after?? ... so something wrong here it seems so getting to actually speak to someone seems pretty reasonable now i think??

I know of more than a handful of people who have said they've had a yes within 24 hours, and at least two (including yourself!) that seem to have had the result before they've even made it home. I think after nine weeks, I agree... time to escalate to the seniors. :)
 

Stigy

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I know of more than a handful of people who have said they've had a yes within 24 hours, and at least two (including yourself!) that seem to have had the result before they've even made it home. I think after nine weeks, I agree... time to escalate to the seniors. :)
I had my DMI on 24 Jan and had the email by 28 Jan (and there was a weekend in between). I can only assume it’s specific to depots as to how quite they turn around these emails. For example, at a small depot such as mine, one would imagine it’s a far quicker process to place people in pools than a depot with far higher staff numbers?
 

Termy

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Guys and girls has anyone on here been approached for November's course??
I'm hedging my bets and thinking that the November course is mostly internal, or people not on the forum. Pretty sure we'd have heard from them by now if they were here!
In other news, I am working on a draft email in response to the latest "no information" email from GWR, trying to word it as very carefully as possible as to not rock the boat too much. But as they say... can't make an omelette without breaking at least one eggshell open. Waste of an egg though, I don't like omelettes. Or eggs...
 

Devon156

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I'm hedging my bets and thinking that the November course is mostly internal, or people not on the forum. Pretty sure we'd have heard from them by now if they were here!
In other news, I am working on a draft email in response to the latest "no information" email from GWR, trying to word it as very carefully as possible as to not rock the boat too much. But as they say... can't make an omelette without breaking at least one eggshell open. Waste of an egg though, I don't like omelettes. Or eggs...
I kept all my emails simple just listing what I had been told in person and by email and asked for an update. If you would like the email addresses of those who finally got me an answer send me a message.
 

Goingloco

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4 Mar 2015
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Hi folks,

Anyone have any intel on the Gloucester depot and the likelihood of those in the talent pool getting pulled up??

Cheers.
 
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Is anyone going to the assessment centre in Swindon on the 19th August? I have my MMI on that date sometime between 9am and 5pm!
 

PearoTheHero

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3 May 2019
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Termy that would make sense. I feel for you with your wait...and for them not to give a straight yes or no even after all of this time just seems ridiculous
 

Termy

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Well there we go. A day after emailing a high-up contact, they have apologised and chased up, and within ten minutes I've received an email to advise me I was unsuccessful. Why could they have not said that EIGHT WEEKS AGO AND NOT LEFT ME IN LIMBO?

As such, I'll be bowing out of this conversation, and getting back on with my life. Let's just say... I'm a little sick of GWR now.
 

Daydr3am3r

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7 Dec 2018
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Well there we go. A day after emailing a high-up contact, they have apologised and chased up, and within ten minutes I've received an email to advise me I was unsuccessful. Why could they have not said that EIGHT WEEKS AGO AND NOT LEFT ME IN LIMBO?

As such, I'll be bowing out of this conversation, and getting back on with my life. Let's just say... I'm a little sick of GWR now.

Sorry to hear that mate. Very poor but at least you know now.

Take a break from it all and have another crack when they open again. Don’t let it put you off.
 

Tommy222256

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28 Mar 2019
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150
Well there we go. A day after emailing a high-up contact, they have apologised and chased up, and within ten minutes I've received an email to advise me I was unsuccessful. Why could they have not said that EIGHT WEEKS AGO AND NOT LEFT ME IN LIMBO?

As such, I'll be bowing out of this conversation, and getting back on with my life. Let's just say... I'm a little sick of GWR now.
You asked for feed back pal or just cut cut and run?
 

Ebee

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12 Aug 2018
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Well there we go. A day after emailing a high-up contact, they have apologised and chased up, and within ten minutes I've received an email to advise me I was unsuccessful. Why could they have not said that EIGHT WEEKS AGO AND NOT LEFT ME IN LIMBO?

As such, I'll be bowing out of this conversation, and getting back on with my life. Let's just say... I'm a little sick of GWR now.
Oh no! So sorry to hear that. That's so crap!!. But at least you have all your passes and MMI pass. So fingers crossed for another vacancy where you can sail through the DMI.
 

Stigy

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Well there we go. A day after emailing a high-up contact, they have apologised and chased up, and within ten minutes I've received an email to advise me I was unsuccessful. Why could they have not said that EIGHT WEEKS AGO AND NOT LEFT ME IN LIMBO?

As such, I'll be bowing out of this conversation, and getting back on with my life. Let's just say... I'm a little sick of GWR now.
Sorry to hear that. Agreed it’s not the best way of doing things. Unfortunately I guess the bottom line is the just don’t care about those who dont pass as they have so much admin type stuff to do for those who do.

Definitely don’t give up and get some more applications in with whoever is recruiting next. You only have to wait 6-months (or 4 now for you I guess?) for GWR, so it’s fair game for anyone else you want to apply to. Good luck!
 

Mr Oli

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14 Nov 2018
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I had my DMi last Wednesday at Temple Meads - still awaiting the result. They advised that I'd hear before the weekend, or at latest very early this week.

After reading about what happened to Termy above, it's making the wait even more nerve wracking!

Not much I can do for now except wait.

I asked about training course dates at the interview - they're all full for the rest of the year, with the next possible start dates early next year.
 

Daydr3am3r

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I had to speak to recruitment yesterday and they also said the courses for this financial year are pretty much all sorted.
 

tiptoptaff

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I had to speak to recruitment yesterday and they also said the courses for this financial year are pretty much all sorted.
Funds allocated and courses lined up, yes. But I'd be surprised if they were filled until April already
 

Danetime

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Is that including the Newton Abbot training centre? Do you know if that training centre is open yet?
 

Ebee

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12 Aug 2018
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Got emailed my formal offer today and just completed my welcome pack. Exciting times :D.
 

Ebee

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12 Aug 2018
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Indeed. Good feeling isn’t it? :)

Where will you be training?
I'm not entirely sure yet. I'm waiting for the pack that tells me exactly. But I've been told some time at Swindon and the rest of the training at Reading. I read something about residentials, Reading is ok from North London, but Swindon is just that little bit too far to commute every day.
 

Stigy

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I'm not entirely sure yet. I'm waiting for the pack that tells me exactly. But I've been told some time at Swindon and the rest of the training at Reading. I read something about residentials, Reading is ok from North London, but Swindon is just that little bit too far to commute every day.
There will be minimal stuff at Swindon (corporate induction will probably be there if you’re external, plus a couple of other bits and bobs). They usually give accommodation for anything more than 90-minute commute from wherever your permanent work location will be (so if you’re going to be based at paddington, they will probably consider Swindon fine for a daily commute). I’m training in Bristol so have accommodation paid for. (As I did for Swindon too) There was a Reading course which started at the same time which would have been commutable each day (just). I’m external to GWR but internal to the railway which may be why I was placed where I have been for training as I’m with no people external to GWR (As far as I’m aware the Reading course underway is primarily people new to the railway?). I guess this may help with training requirements etc?
 

Ebee

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There will be minimal stuff at Swindon (corporate induction will probably be there if you’re external, plus a couple of other bits and bobs). They usually give accommodation for anything more than 90-minute commute from wherever your permanent work location will be (so if you’re going to be based at paddington, they will probably consider Swindon fine for a daily commute). I’m training in Bristol so have accommodation paid for. (As I did for Swindon too) There was a Reading course which started at the same time which would have been commutable each day (just). I’m external to GWR but internal to the railway which may be why I was placed where I have been for training as I’m with no people external to GWR (As far as I’m aware the Reading course underway is primarily people new to the railway?). I guess this may help with training requirements etc?
Ah ok that's fair enough. I think Swindon is an hour from Paddington. And Reading 30 mins. I'll work it out when I know for sure.
 

tiptoptaff

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Ah ok that's fair enough. I think Swindon is an hour from Paddington. And Reading 30 mins. I'll work it out when I know for sure.
If you are based anywhere in the Thames Valley you will not get accommodation paid for Swindon. You will be expected to commute
 

Broon511

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16 Apr 2014
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10
Hey all. Just out of interest I was wondering if anyone knows what classes of trains a driver based at Reading would work?

Thanks in advance.
 
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