Grannyjoans
Member
- Joined
- 29 Mar 2017
- Messages
- 403
Is there any training and recuitment going on at the moment ?
I've been wondering if it had all stopped due to Covid 19
I've been wondering if it had all stopped due to Covid 19
The recruitment process is usually very long and drawn out, so you will probably have plenty of time between applying and a course starting. The issues may arise with psychometric testing and interview etc. As has been said, you may only been given a week's notice or so to attend these phases, and if you can't attend, it's likely you won't get to reschedule. I'm not sure how flexible you can be in your current role?Thanks for the reply. I’m currently not looking to leave unless a great opportunity came along (Train Driver being very desirable).
I wouldn’t leave in the hope that I could become a driver. However if I could apply and have sufficient time to leave between being accepted and commence training then I would in a heartbeat.
How long is a piece of string I've heard some TOC's offering a start a week after a being accepted whilst others have been 'pooled' for over a year.Aside from the recruitment process (from applying to being accepted), do you have any idea what the time between being accepted and starting training would be? I assume it depends on demand.
Currently not flexible, however I’m moving soon and I know the hierarchy would support me progressing into a different career choice.
In order;Apologies for the foray of questions (just a few more I promise)...
Is there a dedicated website where all trainee driver jobs are advertised?
On average, how long to the job applications stay open?
Do people applying for positions outside of the rail industry have equal opportunity as the ones applying from within? Or is it pretty much a closed shop?
Thanks again.
For those who are, or have been in talent pools for a while, how often were you updated? Even if it was only a generic email.
I’ve been in a talent pool with GWR since the start of February, last communication was 3rd Feb to confirm this. I don’t really want to pester recruitment, especially with the majority working at home. It would be nice to have an update just to say they’ve not forgotten, and things will continue after this situation has passed, however long it may be.
I’ll email them if the consensus is you generally don’t get an update unless you ask, however if there tends to be updates every few months I’ll hold back.
I am concerned that you have to re-interview if 9 months lapse between interview & start date but i'll cross that bridge when the date comes and see whats what.
Is that something that’s Northern specific? I’m GWR and at the interview I was told that the longest I could be held in the pool would be 5 years. No mention of having to reinterview at any stage during that period.
I’m external now, but I have worked for GWR in the past and after speaking to former colleagues following my interview, there was no mention of that from them either.
Yes been told this by Northern HR when I had to turn down a March start date.
Many of those that have already started training are just being told to stay at home. I am one of the few still doing some instructing but only with the person I've been with since last year & that was a personal choice I made. That should finish next week & after that I will not take anybody else until further notice as there is no way to adhere to distancing guidelines. All others at various stages are currently also staying at home with possibly a weekly catch up chat over the phone/email. It's all rather a stalemate at the moment.Is there any training and recuitment going on at the moment ?
I've been wondering if it had all stopped due to Covid 19
Might be worth checking rather than just being assumptive. I hoping they will waiver this now it’s nationalised. If I was good enough in Jan, why wouldn’t I be ten months later!?That’s frustrating. I’m going to assume that’s not the case with GWR as this is the first I’ve heard of it.
From what I’ve seen, GWR won’t update you on your status in the talent pool until They’re in a position to offer you a course date. Of course that could change, or may depend on the depot etc.For those who are, or have been in talent pools for a while, how often were you updated? Even if it was only a generic email.
I’ve been in a talent pool with GWR since the start of February, last communication was 3rd Feb to confirm this. I don’t really want to pester recruitment, especially with the majority working at home. It would be nice to have an update just to say they’ve not forgotten, and things will continue after this situation has passed, however long it may be.
I’ll email them if the consensus is you generally don’t get an update unless you ask, however if there tends to be updates every few months I’ll hold back.
Hi everyone - hope you are all well. My names D’andre, Im 19 years old and I Want to be prepare myself as well as I can so that when I hit the eligible age I can increase my chances of becoming a trainee train driver.
what experience (in terms of a relevant job) would you recommend To increase the odds of passing the recruitment process?
best regards,
D’andre
I currently work at airbus as an apprentice , we deal with customers but over the phone/email - do you think it would be worth getting a job as a conductor for better , more suited examples?You need real examples of when have had to work alone; make quick decisions; deal with conflict etc.. customer facing roles I feel will give you some experience and examples to talk about.
I currently work at airbus as an apprentice , we deal with customers but over the phone/email - do you think it would be worth getting a job as a conductor for better , more suited examples?
Congrats for making it to the talent pool! I’m currently applying for a trainee driver role with Northern.I'm in a talent pool for Northern, since end of Jan. i couldn't start before end of June due to prior commitments to they placed me in the pool until a suitable course came up. Northern nationalised a month and a half later so i emailed them to confirm i hadn't been lost in the change over, they emailed back to say i hadn't and i'm there. So was going to email back in early June and see whats happening. I expect things will be held back a few months now, i.e. June Course in Sept etc.
I am concerned that you have to re-interview if 9 months lapse between interview & start date but i'll cross that bridge when the date comes and see whats what.
If you applied specifically for a talent pool, it's more likely you'll have to just go with the flow and if they contact you before you're able to leave your current job, you'll have to tell them about it and I would imagine they'll keep you in the pool until another course is available. From what I've read here, most TOCs appreciate the fact that you can't put your life on hold for a job which may or may not materialise.If you were to apply whilst currently employed, and were successful (very hopeful I know). Would it be possible to request being put in the talent pool until you become free from your current contract. Clearly there could be a gap between leaving the current job and starting a course, which also may never happen.
Most companies will by default only contact references once an offer has been made. Others will ask if it's okay to contact your references before an offer is made. The best was to find out definitely, is to contact recruitment.Congrats for making it to the talent pool! I’m currently applying for a trainee driver role with Northern.
As part of my application I had to give details of someone to provide a future reference. Do you know at which point this will be used? I’m concerned it will alert my current employer to the face I’ve applied to Northern, so I’ll have to hand my notice in, but then could sit in the talent pool longer than my notice period! How does it work in practice please?