GWR Train Driver talent pool

[tiptoptaff]

The needs of the business ever change, for example we were told no more trainees at BTM, all would be SPM drivers but there's now a couple of trainees who will be coming to us. Same with "no courses till x date" - it's out of date information as soon as it's printed!

We've been told there will be a lull soon in trainees coming through for handling, so they're focusing on upskilling qualified drivers on routes and traction over the summer. But that's just one depot, in one place, out of the dozen or so driver depots across the business - and likely to change!

 

[MostlyHarmless]

I heard from a member of staff there will be no more courses after feb till 2023? Anyone else heard anything about it?

Yes this is pretty much true I'm afraid - certainly for East. I'm not sure how many courses there are left to start - I.e. already planned, but after that none until 2023.

 

[Horizon22]

The needs of the business ever change, for example we were told no more trainees at BTM, all would be SPM drivers but there's now a couple of trainees who will be coming to us. Same with "no courses till x date" - it's out of date information as soon as it's printed!

We've been told there will be a lull soon in trainees coming through for handling, so they're focusing on upskilling qualified drivers on routes and traction over the summer. But that's just one depot, in one place, out of the dozen or so driver depots across the business - and likely to change!

Indeed. An immediate priority for many TOCs has get people passed out on core routes. Now the emphasise is on broadening routes and traction for those drivers.

 

[KatieC]

Congrats, I got my email last Thursday saying I’d passed stage 2, still waiting for DMI email hopefully get one soon

Hi,

Did you email look like this? I had my Mmi yesterday and not to sure if I passed or not?

Thanks

 

[TheAnswer89]

You did pass.

 

[Jaytrains]

Hi,

Did you email look like this? I had my Mmi yesterday and not to sure if I passed or not?

Thanks

Congratulations

 

[Nonuts]

Hi,

Did you email look like this? I had my Mmi yesterday and not to sure if I passed or not?

Thanks

That's a pass. Well done.

 

[Kauntrilla]

Hi,

Did you email look like this? I had my Mmi yesterday and not to sure if I passed or not?

Thanks

Congratulations. Which depot u applied for if dont mind asking? Thanks

 

[MostlyHarmless]

Congratulations. Which depot u applied for if dont mind asking? Thanks

Looking at the email, its for the Reading talent pool I believe

 

[Kauntrilla]

Looking at the email, its for the Reading talent pool I believe

Oh yes. Well spotted mate.

 

[Liam00086]

Hi,

Did you email look like this? I had my Mmi yesterday and not to sure if I passed or not?

Thanks

Yes that’s definitely a pass, well done

 

[BoTheRigger]

Maybe some more positive news. I sent a speculative email to HR yesterday asking about the future requirements if my prospective depot and the condition of the talent pool.
Today I received a phone call from an HR manager who told me that they have a full schedule of courses to run starting in April next year. Apparently COVID has put them months behind but they intend to run multiple full courses for trainees, including one for Gloucester, my depot.
She ended the call by saying "just hang in there, we'll be in touch next year"

That does sound positive. I'm also in the pool at Gloucester. Have you heard anything since November?

 

[DogDays]

That does sound positive. I'm also in the pool at Gloucester. Have you heard anything since November?

I'm afraid not, only what I've read on here. I have a friend that's on a course for Oxford and he says 1 trainee for Gloucester has recently started another course.

The common belief seems to be that any plans GWR had before Christmas have been scrapped and that few, if any courses will be run this year

 

[Class2ldn]

Was waiting for an interview for Gloucester as a qualified driver, been told the vacancy is now closed and no further recruitment for that depot this year unfortunately

 

[Andypandy1968]

Was waiting for an interview for Gloucester as a qualified driver, been told the vacancy is now closed and no further recruitment for that depot this year unfortunately

No further recruitment for any GWR depots this year I've heard due to service cuts post Covid.

 

[Kauntrilla]

I heard no recruitment for next three years. I hope I am wrong.

 

[Danetime]

There is definitely recruitment happing over the next three years. You should see what GWR are doing behind the scenes in terms of positions being made at the training, HR and support level all for driver training. Also the partnership with Exeter College for the driver apprenticeship who have a new team dedicated just for drivers.

There are courses planned for later this year but I don't know what depots. Next year unfortunately less drivers being recruited for some reason but there are still course planned. This maybe be because of uncertainty around GBR but that's just speculation after speaking to a few trainers last week.

 

[Kauntrilla]

I agree, there are many speculations at the moment. Now I heard that GWR are looking to recruit more drivers because Sunday will be part of working week from 2025.

 

[irish_rail]

I heard no recruitment for next three years. I hope I am wrong.

You are wrong don't worry.

 

[Nonuts]

I'm aware of people (internals) in the process who are waiting for DMI's and MMI's still. My assumption from that is, if no more recruitment, they'd have been told and wouldn't be waiting.

When I first applied at the end of 2018 there was speculation that Sundays becoming part of the working week was extremely likely and the need for more drivers would, naturally, follow. With that being a change of T&C's, there's the need for pay talks, union involvement, votes ect.. and in recent times there's been other things on the agenda to discuss so I'm sure if that is the case it'll be part of the transition from Franchise to GBRailways talks when pay, terms ect are back on the table for discussion

 

[387star]

I'm aware of people (internals) in the process who are waiting for DMI's and MMI's still. My assumption from that is, if no more recruitment, they'd have been told and wouldn't be waiting.

When I first applied at the end of 2018 there was speculation that Sundays becoming part of the working week was extremely likely and the need for more drivers would, naturally, follow. With that being a change of T&C's, there's the need for pay talks, union involvement, votes ect.. and in recent times there's been other things on the agenda to discuss so I'm sure if that is the case it'll be part of the transition from Franchise to GBRailways talks when pay, terms ect are back on the table for discussion

Think recruitment is suspended till next year and less trainees are now required

 

[jacey]

Well its 2 years this month for me in the Plymouth talent pool i dropped in right as the pandemic hit which i have no doubt did not help my cause. Still 3 years left of being patient

To all those waiting i feel the same as you all! fingers crossed.

 

[Cowcow15]

Well its 2 years this month for me in the Plymouth talent pool i dropped in right as the pandemic hit which i have no doubt did not help my cause. Still 3 years left of being patient

To all those waiting i feel the same as you all! fingers crossed.

Same for me jacey but for the exeter pool. Just gotta sit tight, be patient and hope that call comes.

There is a lot of conflicting reports on here, some saying no recruitment, some saying there will be recruitment etc. Who knows??? Im just thinking that im sure GWR will need to recruit at some point in the next 3 years so that call should definitely come!

Stay positive!

 

[MostlyHarmless]

Think recruitment is suspended till next year and less trainees are now required

This is pretty much it. Another course has just started and there is one more to start apparently, and that's it until next year unfortunately

 

[Jaytrains]

This is pretty much it. Another course has just started and there is one more to start apparently, and that's it until next year unfortunately

Do u know which depot the second course will be for? Or have a rough idea

 

[Danetime]

So I asked around today with some trainers and driver training is going to continue but they will be changing things shortly (and has already for some depots).

There are courses planned for mainline drivers over the next couple of years (they didn't say which depots). Then at some point, all future drivers will require at least two years as depot drivers before going mainline unless there is a serious shortfall of drivers.

Apparently, some depots have already started taking this approach, like Bristol. The depots that will also take this approach next (that I know of) are Exeter St Davids and Plymouth.

From what I gather, they will aim to offer everyone at least a depot driver position. Then if you wish to hold off for a mainline spot, that is the risk you will have to take.

One other thing I've started to understand better now is the needs of the depots are changing monthly if not weekly, in terms of personal needed and even the most "perfect" plan can fall apart.

Take for example Exeter St Davids after the last intake there were meant to be 4 trainee mainline drivers. However, 1 person dropped out at the very last second (crazy I know) so Exeter St Davids are down one mainline trainee driver.

How they will make up this shortfall is unknown. They may offer that position to a depot driver, take from the qualified talent pool or pluck a new trainee from the talent pool if there is space on the next mainline course.

If it's your dream to drive trains and are offered a depot driver then seriously think about taking it. Unfortunately, a lot has changed since they started these talent pools.

 

[MostlyHarmless]

Do u know which depot the second course will be for? Or have a rough idea

My understanding is it is for the East depots, so one or more of Paddington, Oxford and Reading

 

[jacey]

So I asked around today with some trainers and driver training is going to continue but they will be changing things shortly (and has already for some depots).

There are courses planned for mainline drivers over the next couple of years (they didn't say which depots). Then at some point, all future drivers will require at least two years as depot drivers before going mainline unless there is a serious shortfall of drivers.

Apparently, some depots have already started taking this approach, like Bristol. The depots that will also take this approach next (that I know of) are Exeter St Davids and Plymouth.

From what I gather, they will aim to offer everyone at least a depot driver position. Then if you wish to hold off for a mainline spot, that is the risk you will have to take.

One other thing I've started to understand better now is the needs of the depots are changing monthly if not weekly, in terms of personal needed and even the most "perfect" plan can fall apart.

Take for example Exeter St Davids after the last intake there were meant to be 4 trainee mainline drivers. However, 1 person dropped out at the very last second (crazy I know) so Exeter St Davids are down one mainline trainee driver.

How they will make up this shortfall is unknown. They may offer that position to a depot driver, take from the qualified talent pool or pluck a new trainee from the talent pool if there is space on the next mainline course.

If it's your dream to drive trains and are offered a depot driver then seriously think about taking it. Unfortunately, a lot has changed since they started these talent pools.

Thats great insight mate much appreciated. We in the Plymouth Mainline talent pool have indeed been offered the chance to join the depot driver talent pool this was in April 2021 although i'm not aware of anyone getting the call for a depot driver role as of yet.

I agree if given the chance it would be a great opportunity.

Best of luck with the training.

 

[Stigy]

There are courses planned for mainline drivers over the next couple of years (they didn't say which depots). Then at some point, all future drivers will require at least two years as depot drivers before going mainline unless there is a serious shortfall of drivers.

Apparently, some depots have already started taking this approach, like Bristol. The depots that will also take this approach next (that I know of) are Exeter St Davids and Plymouth.

From what I gather, they will aim to offer everyone at least a depot driver position. Then if you wish to hold off for a mainline spot, that is the risk you will have to take.

One other thing I've started to understand better now is the needs of the depots are changing monthly if not weekly, in terms of personal needed and even the most "perfect" plan can fall apart.

Take for example Exeter St Davids after the last intake there were meant to be 4 trainee mainline drivers. However, 1 person dropped out at the very last second (crazy I know) so Exeter St Davids are down one mainline trainee driver.

How they will make up this shortfall is unknown. They may offer that position to a depot driver, take from the qualified talent pool or pluck a new trainee from the talent pool if there is space on the next mainline course.

If it's your dream to drive trains and are offered a depot driver then seriously think about taking it. Unfortunately, a lot has changed since they started these talent pools.

That approach would work for a few depots, but not all. Somewhere like Fratton where there’s a GWR depot but is mainly SWR, wouldn’t work. I guess that could fall under the “unless there’s a serious shortfall of drivers” category.

 

[Jaytrains]

My understanding is it is for the East depots, so one or more of Paddington, Oxford and Reading

Well fingers crossed it happens, I was originally in the pool for reading but they decided to move me to Paddington dont know why and I agreed.