GWR - Trainee Train Drivers (Talent Pool) - Multiple Depots (16/08/24)

[Reetzaboi]

Just completed mine. I got 2 into the 4th group so 17 in total. Those 10 minutes flew by!

I’m not sure tbf the bar at the top was nearly full I would say 4/5ths of the way across? So not sure how many that is ?

 

[DanV12]

I have applied for Swansea did the driver question assessment and the error checking questions
The last email said they have invited me to the next stage

 

[Jc321]

I have applied for Swansea did the driver question assessment and the error checking questions
The last email said they have invited me to the next stage

How long after did you receive that email?

 

[Hamna]

I have applied for Swansea did the driver question assessment and the error checking questions
The last email said they have invited me to the next stage

Did you done two assessments online?

 

[officewalla]

Applied for Oxford and completed both tests. Does anybody know what the level of vacancies are like there?

Enough trainees over the next 18 months or so to fill all the current vacancies in link 3. No idea how many might retire so more line vacancies may come up as the older drivers sail off into the sunset.

 

[DanV12]

Ac

How long after did you receive that email?

Once I had completed the error questions

Did you done two assessments online?

Yes

 

[Hamna]

Ac

Once I had completed the error questions


Yes

Do you have any idea that how many questions you done on second assessment??

 

[tonyianmoore@g]

Did the SJT one last night - the one that came as part of the application. How long till the next assessments come through?

 

[Samzino]

Did the SJT one last night - the one that came as part of the application. How long till the next assessments come through?

Should be instant for the second one if you've passed SJT

 

[Leon Tallis]

I have applied for Swansea did the driver question assessment and the error checking questions
The last email said they have invited me to the next stage

What does it say the next stage is?

 

[tonyianmoore@g]

Should be instant for the second one if you've passed SJT

Not had anything saying passed or not passed in email so guessing you only hear if you passed?

 

[Samzino]

Not had anything saying passed or not passed in email so guessing you only hear if you passed?

Sometimes GWR sends the fail later on

 

[DLG333]

Hi Chaps, new to the forum. First time applicant. Applying for Swansea.

I did the 2 online tests (received emails before starting each test inviting me to the "next stage" which was each online test. And obviously nothing since the last test was complete.

Anyone know much about the talent pool at Swansea and staff turnover there?

 

[jmc1988]

I completed the first batch of questions last night and never received anything for the second test. I do have valid full pass results for stage 1 and 2 OPC to 'enhanced standard' with another TOC. What is the likelihood those results would be used and that's the reason I never got the second test? Or is it more likely that I've messed up the GWR answers?

 

[DLG333]

I completed the first batch of questions last night and never received anything for the second test. I do have valid full pass results for stage 1 and 2 OPC to 'enhanced standard' with another TOC. What is the likelihood those results would be used and that's the reason I never got the second test? Or is it more likely that I've messed up the GWR answers?

For me, after pressing submit on the application the next screen was "we'd now like you to take a test" or similar,and the same on completing the first test.

I have applied for Swansea did the driver question assessment and the error checking questions
The last email said they have invited me to the next stage

Are you sure that's not the email inviting you to do the online tests?

 

[tonyianmoore@g]

I completed the first batch of questions last night and never received anything for the second test. I do have valid full pass results for stage 1 and 2 OPC to 'enhanced standard' with another TOC. What is the likelihood those results would be used and that's the reason I never got the second test? Or is it more likely that I've messed up the GWR answers?

I did mine last night. I've not had a rejection at the SJT but before on previous applications so it seems weird I'd get it wrong this time.

 

[DanV12]

Do you have any idea that how many questions you done on second assessment??

I didnt count tbh

 

[DanV12]

What does it say the next stage is?

It doesnt say but as far as I know the next stage will be after the closing date for applications

For me, after pressing submit on the application the next screen was "we'd now like you to take a test" or similar,and the same on completing the first test.


Are you sure that's not the email inviting you to do the online tests?

I had a separate email after completing each test

 

[DLG333]

It doesnt say but as far as I know the next stage will be after the closing date for applications

Any chance of a cut and paste of the text?

 

[Leon Tallis]

It doesnt say but as far as I know the next stage will be after the closing date for applications


I had a separate email after completing each test

I had separate emails as well but they were before the tests. One inviting me to do the SJT and one inviting me to do the error checking.

 

[StuartA]

Well I’ve just finished my second assessment. No idea how many I managed to complete, I wasn’t really keeping tabs! 10 minutes flys by for sure.

 

[DLG333]

Well I’ve just finished my second assessment. No idea how many I managed to complete, I wasn’t really keeping tabs! 10 minutes flys by for sure.

What area are you applying for?

 

[StuartA]

What area are you applying for?

Oxford

 

[DLG333]

Oxford

Best of luck mate. I'm on the hunt for fellow Swansea applicants!

 

[StuartA]

Best of luck mate. I'm on the hunt for fellow Swansea applicants!

Thanks bud and you!

 

[HSTfan!!!]

Anyone know much about the talent pool at Swansea and staff turnover there?

Generally Swansea has always been of a bit of a dead man’s shoes depot, no one leaves there unless retiring.

 

[DLG333]

Generally Swansea has always been of a bit of a dead man’s shoes depot, no one leaves there unless retiring.

Ah gotcha.

 

[Sly Old Fox]

I think the reason depots like Swansea and Penzance have come up is that GWR is predicting that a good number of drivers will retire when (if) the new pay deal is agreed, and these adverts are a way of stemming the tide. So whilst Swansea is ‘dead man’s shoes’, there could be a number of ‘dead men’ leaving quite soon. I think something like 80% of the depot there is over 50.

 

[DLG333]

I think the reason depots like Swansea and Penzance have come up is that GWR is predicting that a good number of drivers will retire when (if) the new pay deal is agreed, and these adverts are a way of stemming the tide. So whilst Swansea is ‘dead man’s shoes’, there could be a number of ‘dead men’ leaving quite soon. I think something like 80% of the depot there is over 50.

That makes sense. Front load the talent pools so they don't get caught out.

I know the process has been taking years for a lot of people posting on here. Is that largely a covd thing or par for the course?

 

[officewalla]

Hi all, new to the forum and looking to get into the industry, I have seen the trainee train driver job adverts and found this forum!

I am Swindon based so obviously would like a Swindon vacancy, Oxford is within the 60 minutes prescribed travel time for me, how ever this would not be a long term ideal should I be successful.

Does anyone have experience of applying for multiple depots? For the same job role? Appreciating Swindon is not currently taking my applicants, but should a vacancy come available I would apply for that.

How would this be viewed from GWR perspective? Are multiple applications, with or without failure, commonplace when trying to get into this industry?

I am well aware of the long, competitive nature of the recruitment process.

I also understand that internal transfers when experienced, can take a long time to come to fruition. So Oxford is not ideal, other than the fact it is a great opportunity.

Thank you.

Stuart.

Swindon is a sub depot of Reading and a very long list of Swindon based drivers wanting to get there. Only way to Swindon currently is to go to Reading and join the queue. Two Oxford drivers have transferred to Gloucester this year as it is closer to home and more variety of routes.