Laptop or tablet used while in training

[Chuchu]

Hello everyone ! Just a quick question, while in training as a train driver, have you been using a laptop/tablet and is one needed throughout the course ? Thanks !

 

[Towers]

Hello everyone ! Just a quick question, while in training as a train driver, have you been using a laptop/tablet and is one needed throughout the course ? Thanks !

If one is needed, it'll be provided!

Some/most/all TOCs issue tablets as standard traincrew kit these days anyhow.

 

[wobman]

If one is needed, it'll be provided!

Some/most/all TOCs issue tablets as standard traincrew kit these days anyhow.

Not all tocs unfortunately, certain provide nothing in the terms of a laptop or tablet.

 

[Towers]

Not all tocs unfortunately, certain provide nothing in the terms of a laptop or tablet.

Ah, the march of the paperless "e-depot" is not yet all-consuming, then!

 

[wobman]

There's still paper based won's / Pon's, no work based emails / no work mobiles / no work tablets at some tocs for drivers.
Everything is still paper based in this day and age !

 

[Trainrave]

If one is needed, it'll be provided!

Some/most/all TOCs issue tablets as standard traincrew kit these days anyhow.

With respect to this member, this is not the case. Each person at my TOC took their own laptop from home to make notes on.
It proved much easier than paper, as I was able to copy directly from the digital rule book.

 

[Towers]

With respect to this member, this is not the case. Each person at my TOC took their own laptop from home to make notes on.
It proved much easier than paper, as I was able to copy directly from the digital rule book.

My assumption was clearly misplaced! I stand corrected chaps, OP my apologies!

Out of curiosity, how did your respective training schools require you submit work for training records etc when using your own devices?

 

[Stigy]

We use tablets at GWR for almost everything these days, including trainee driver training. I couldn’t imagine the nightmare of all that paperwork. My bag is heavy enough as it is, without carrying a rulebook for a start

Our tablets are a bit slow and cumbersome, and some of the training material was questionable, but I guess you can’t have it all .

 

[Chuchu]

Thank you all, for your answers !

 

[wobman]

My assumption was clearly misplaced! I stand corrected chaps, OP my apologies!

Out of curiosity, how did your respective training schools require you submit work for training records etc when using your own devices?

It depends on the training centre TOC you are based at, I know lads with iMac's had issues with software etc

 

[Trainrave]

My assumption was clearly misplaced! I stand corrected chaps, OP my apologies!

Out of curiosity, how did your respective training schools require you submit work for training records etc when using your own devices?

Sorry Towers. I came across a bit arrogant there.

For what it’s worth, I made all of my personal notes on a laptop and all of the regular exams were paper based.

 

[TheVicLine]

Surely no TOC is going to make you use a tablet and supply it yourself. Tablets are an option if you don't want all the paperwork, but not a requirement. If they are required then they will be supplied.

 

[wobman]

Surely no TOC is going to make you use a tablet and supply it yourself. Tablets are an option if you don't want all the paperwork, but not a requirement. If they are required then they will be supplied.

Some tocs require you to email work and complete online assessments, but you have to use your own laptop or tablet. Their attitude probably being you all have access to either piece of hardware.
Some tocs are still very paper based in their methods of normal working, it's costly and time consuming to go computer based I've been told.

 

[TheVicLine]

Some tocs require you to email work and complete online assessments, but you have to use your own laptop or tablet. Their attitude probably being you all have access to either piece of hardware.
Some tocs are still very paper based in their methods of normal working, it's costly and time consuming to go computer based I've been told.

Yes, maybe occasional online assessments, but not a requirement to partake in the trainee driver course. If I was expected to purchase a tablet at my expense to complete a work based course then I would be questioning why my Union reps had sanctioned this or whether they even been consulted for this requirement.

 

[wobman]

Yes, maybe occasional online assessments, but not a requirement to partake in the trainee driver course. If I was expected to purchase a tablet at my expense to complete a work based course then I would be questioning why my Union reps had sanctioned this or whether they even been consulted for this requirement.

Not all tocs provide trainees with laptops or tablets, thats the way it is at some tocs.
Imagine if the trainee drivers get the equipment then the rest of the drivers would need the equipment and that's not the way it is at some tocs.
That's just the way it is at some tocs unfortunately.

 

[Driver2B]

By the sounds of it, it depends on the TOC.

At my TOC, there was no work required to be done on computer, laptop, tablet, phone or any other device. No members of my class (or any other class I know) brought any device to, or used during, training.

We were provided with rule books, handouts and blank notebooks. Any notes we made were made on those.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[sw1ller]

I work at the TOC wobman is talking about and he’s spot on. I had to buy a laptop when I started many moons ago. Nobody told be I had to but…… well, I did.