In Trainee Train Driver Talent Pool... Now what are my chances?

[Budgie]

Well I've passed the Trainee Train Driver assessment day, which was quite long but thoroughly enjoyable. So much so, I'd do it all again!

So that's very good news for me but now I am in the 'Talent Pool' waiting for a medical and a course start date, which has been predicted for late next year, 2017. Understandably, I'm very excited and I totally appreciate how fortunate I am to get to this stage, particularly as I have tried several times to get to this point.[/SIZE]

My question is this however…

Has anyone else experienced waiting in the ‘Talent Pool’ stage and how did it all pan out for you? I hope to attain some level of reassurance that all my efforts will eventually come to full fruition. I don’t mind waiting a bit, as fortunately I’m employed, but I still find myself on tender hooks due to my relentless desire to finally fulfil my ambition of becoming a Train Driver.

Please be frank, your responses may assist me with managing my own expectations .

Thanks in advance

 

[rhysa85]

Which TOC have you passed your assessments with?

 

[davedjc84]

Hi Budgie,

Well done, that's great news! I passed mine on the 29th Sept this year and still waiting to hear, been told to just sit tight and wait for the call so in same boat as you really, but with no date at all, not even a finger in the air type lol! Who have you passed with?

Well done again, takes quite a bit just to get to this point!

Dave

 

[DB90]

Why is it that toc have plenty of trainee drivers in there talent pool but they still advertise and have people waiting for years

 

[KT530]

Why is it that toc have plenty of trainee drivers in there talent pool but they still advertise and have people waiting for years

Because they hope to attract a better calibre of applicant. The ones in the talent pool may get called upon, but those with the best results from the various stages of testing will get through first.

 

[JohnFM]

You can be waiting for a couple of years!

Get a job. Get a life. Go do stuff. As and when there's a need for trainees you'll be told.

You're playing the long game now, just go and live.

 

[Team_giest]

Passed my medical back at the start of february. I last rang for an update back in september and was told no courses in cambridge area till early next year

 

[DB90]

Cheers

 

[posh]

Hi Budgie,

Which TOC/Depot are you in a talent pool for mate. I am currently in one for Northern Sheffield. Cheers.

 

[RBSN]

If you applied for Northern, chances are you'll be drafted in pretty soon.

 

[Budgie]

Which TOC have you passed your assessments with?

Arriva Trains Wales.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Hi Budgie,

Well done, that's great news! I passed mine on the 29th Sept this year and still waiting to hear, been told to just sit tight and wait for the call so in same boat as you really, but with no date at all, not even a finger in the air type lol! Who have you passed with?

Well done again, takes quite a bit just to get to this point!

Dave

Hi Dave,

Who did you pass the assessments with?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

You can be waiting for a couple of years!

Get a job. Get a life. Go do stuff. As and when there's a need for trainees you'll be told.

You're playing the long game now, just go and live.

Thanks for your comments John.

Like I said in my post, I have a job, or more of a successful career. I also have a life and I'm incredibly active, doing plenty of stuff which most people could only dream of doing. I'm not bored, sat around twiddling my thumbs just waiting to be called forward, which is one of the reasons I'd like to know how much hope to invest into my pending career as a Train Driver.

I'll be ready whenever it comes my way and in the interim I'll continue reaping the benefits of a successful career and enjoying the adventures my life regularly brings my way

 

[PEBMX]

I was in a Talent Pool for 18 months and just started on a course, a few others on the course had been waiting that length of time too.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

[Bucko]

Hi Mate

Ive been in a TP since July last year. Virtually all of the other guys at the same time as me, are also still in there too.

I appreciate and understand exactly how and why it all works, but what was slightly confusing was the mass panic to get people thru their medicals....... I banged out all assessments and MMI and DMI between Apr-July 2015, then was given a medical date, that was a mix up by BUPA and I was put on the next available one a few weeks later.

Cant see what the medical rush was all about, if its par for the course to sit in TP's for years.

Anyway, since all that Ive been promoted in my current job, took my youth football coaching badges etc, but still desire getting the call and starting this career

 

[Budgie]

I was in a Talent Pool for 18 months and just started on a course, a few others on the course had been waiting that length of time too.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Thanks for this Scattle, 18 months is quite some time to wait but you got there, which is very reassuring and all that matters for me. As long as it happens hey?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Rhysa85,

With a name like yours (Rhys), I'm guessing you are waiting for ATW?

 

[davedjc84]

If you applied for Northern, chances are you'll be drafted in pretty soon.

I'd love to think so lol, but just getting on with life until I hear anything... I'm Northern for Hull.

Cheers

 

[Maybe]

I passed all my assessments with FGW over 3 years ago now. Told I was in the talent pool and apart from the odd generic email here and there I have heard nothing, and I dont expect to either.

I would just try and get on with your life if possible. It drove me mad for the first 6 months, but then I sort of forgot about it.

I hope you have a quick turn around however.

Congrats on getting through however!

 

[Driver31069]

Hi there,

I now have a start date for training course in March 2017, have passed my medical and all interviews. However, I first applied around 3 years ago. It took around 2-3 months before I heard I had passed the application sift and was invited to the assessment day. I passed this, and they did the Multi Module Interview there and then. I passed this, and then sat in a talent pool for around 6-8 months. I then got my DMI (final stage before medical and start date), but unfortunately failed, mainly due to being under prepared. It then took around 18 months to get a 2nd interview, but kept bugging the recruitment team for an interview, even when they said "early next year", I would call them the following month and ask again. Anyway, I then got a call from recruitment asking if I had checked my email that morning, as they had sent me an invite for another interview but hadn't looked at email that day. He remembered me harassing him, and wondered why I hadn't responded. Goes to show that persistence pays off.

End of the day, you are sitting in a talent pool with lots of other people, don't let them forget your name. Keep calling every month and ask them when you can expect the next stage to start. All in all, its taken me nearly 3 years from applying to starting. Longest wait I've had for a job, but well worth it in the end.

Hope this helps, and good luck in getting started.

 

[BTU]

Well I've passed the Trainee Train Driver assessment day, which was quite long but thoroughly enjoyable. So much so, I'd do it all again!

So that's very good news for me but now I am in the 'Talent Pool' waiting for a medical and a course start date, which has been predicted for late next year, 2017. Understandably, I'm very excited and I totally appreciate how fortunate I am to get to this stage, particularly as I have tried several times to get to this point.[/SIZE]

My question is this however…

Has anyone else experienced waiting in the ‘Talent Pool’ stage and how did it all pan out for you? I hope to attain some level of reassurance that all my efforts will eventually come to full fruition. I don’t mind waiting a bit, as fortunately I’m employed, but I still find myself on tender hooks due to my relentless desire to finally fulfil my ambition of becoming a Train Driver.

Please be frank, your responses may assist me with managing my own expectations .

Thanks in advance

My mate has been in a TP for nearly 2 years.

 

[Budgie]

Thanks for your advice, I'll be sure to nag them regularly ??????