How long does the process take for trainee driver?

[Miltonk123]

Hi, I’ve been watching these threads for a while now as I am thinking about trying to become a trainee driver. It seems that it can take a while from applying to being offered a job. I recently applied & have been invited for an assessment at the end of November. The thing is, 1. I didn’t think I’d get an invite and 2. I didn’t think it would be this quick. I really need to stay in my job for another year and a half before I go for it. So, is it worth going for the assessment this month or do I say I am now unavailable and try again in a year or so? I might not pass anyway. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[OneLowban]

You better give this one a miss as I am almost certain it wouldn’t take a year and a half to start from being invited.

When I applied for TOC 1 it was March - apply, April - stage 1, may - stage 2, June DMI.

TOC 2 I had already done the tests so it was June - Apply, July - DMI, August -Medical, October - Job.

Best of luck in future though.

 

[Bigfoot]

But then others waited for 4 years. It will happen whenever the toc decides. If you say "oh can I wait for abit" they'll say "nope, we've thousands of applicants for a handful of jobs" and wave you on your way.

 

[Bigfoot]

Why do you need to stay in a job if you're applying for another?

 

[Miltonk123]

Why do you need to stay in a job if you're applying for another?

I am having to stay in the job so I can save enough money up to take the pay cut and live comfortably enough through the training

 

[Dynamonic]

If it happens to be a talent pool vacancy, then you may be able defer your start date to a later course. However, you run the risk of losing your place entirely if that later course happens too late or never transpires.

Generally though, it’s not advisable to apply until you know you’re going to be able to start.

Good luck!

 

[OneLowban]

But then others waited for 4 years. It will happen whenever the toc decides. If you say "oh can I wait for abit" they'll say "nope, we've thousands of applicants for a handful of jobs" and wave you on your way.

4 years from being invited for assessments?

(Assuming it isn’t a talent pool vacancy, if it is, forget anything I said)

 

[sw1ller]

I’m assuming you’re military or some emergency force and thinking of leaving when your re-enlistment date is up.

Having been in the same position and knowing what they’re like. I’d wait as you could be wasting your time and a possible strike on the assessments.

That being said, you do have an option. You could go and see your CO or whoever your boss is (I’m still working on an assumption here) and explain to them what your career goal is and how rare these opportunities are. They may make a special exemption and let you leave early. It’s not unknown but quite rare.

You can also find the HR number for the TOC involved and ask them directly if they will keep you in the talent pool if you pass or would it be a waste of time. HR tend to be quite nice and understanding in my experience.

Doing the assessments and then dropping the ball on them at interview stage isn’t going to look too good unless you’ve specifically stated this on your application.

Good luck.

 

[Stigy]

I’d personally go for it. As others have said, you could be put in a talent pool for some time which might work out well for you. You might withdraw from this process and not make the papersift for the next intake, or they or other TOCs may not recruit again for a while. Worst case scenario and you have to withdraw, if you pass the assessments they’ll be good for usually at least 3-years, which will help for a future application of course.

 

[Miltonk123]

I’d personally go for it. As others have said, you could be put in a talent pool for some time which might work out well for you. You might withdraw from this process and not make the papersift for the next intake, or they or other TOCs may not recruit again for a while. Worst case scenario and you have to withdraw, if you pass the assessments they’ll be good for usually at least 3-years, which will help for a future application of course.

. Thank you all for your help, this should help me decide what to do.

 

[Rachael92]

I'm currently sitting in a talent pool and have been since March 2018 after applying in December 2017. I'll still be waiting until March 2019 at the earliest so really does depend on the TOC

 

[Miltonk123]

The position is trainee train driver Woking with first group

 

[Stigy]

The position is trainee train driver Woking with first group

In that case I’d definitely say go for it, as SWR are very slow with recruitment and I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re waiting a long time. Having said that, they don’t tend to put people in pools...

 

[BallaBoy]

I applied for Woking - sat and passed the assessments last November (2017) and still waiting to progress from that....

 

[Stigy]

I applied for Woking - sat and passed the assessments last November (2017) and still waiting to progress from that....

You applied a year ago and have been waiting since then for a start date?

 

[Val3ntine]

You applied a year ago and have been waiting since then for a start date?

Probably still got both interviews to do If I’m not mistaken

 

[Stigy]

Probably still got both interviews to do If I’m not mistaken

Oh right. Have you pestered them about it? I’ve heard they’ve had people reapply recently because they changed their process to First Group from the old SWT system.

 

[KT530]

I was 8 weeks from initial online application to job offer.

It depends on your application, your assessments and a little bit of lady luck.

If you see something you like the sound of, then go for it.

 

[BallaBoy]

Yes I'm still waiting after a year! As Val3entine says above - my next steps are indeed the interviews. I also received an email a couple of months ago to reapply under the First Group system. Passed those online tests as well.
I don't think it's appropriate to pester the HR dept as I was told by them that it's the managers that select the candidates they want to progress, not the HR staff.

 

[Stigy]

Yes I'm still waiting after a year! As Val3entine says above - my next steps are indeed the interviews. I also received an email a couple of months ago to reapply under the First Group system. Passed those online tests as well.
I don't think it's appropriate to pester the HR dept as I was told by them that it's the managers that select the candidates they want to progress, not the HR staff.

I see what you’re saying, but it’s also not right to expect candidates to just sit back and wait for months on end. It might ultimately be the managers who select who they want to progress at that stage, however recruitment will be in a position to provide updates, or be able to obtain updates.