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GWR - Talent Pool Discussion

traction2023

Member
Joined
8 Jun 2023
Messages
6
Location
UK
Hi Guys,

Does anybody have any tips / advice on what to expect for a qualified driver interview. Is it rule based, company info etc??
 
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CannonBall

Member
Joined
23 May 2023
Messages
24
Location
Newport
Hi Guys,

Does anybody have any tips / advice on what to expect for a qualified driver interview. Is it rule based, company info etc??
Company info, they will ask about your knowledge of traction and routes covered by your depot, there will be a surprising amount of customer service related questions, more than you'd expect, gwr are very corporate and tick-boxy in that sense.
 

traction2023

Member
Joined
8 Jun 2023
Messages
6
Location
UK
Company info, they will ask about your knowledge of traction and routes covered by your depot, there will be a surprising amount of customer service related questions, more than you'd expect, gwr are very corporate and tick-boxy in that sense.
Thanks for that!!
 

LKS

Member
Joined
11 Oct 2012
Messages
103
Out of interest, trainee drivers, would they be asked about tractions used in interview?
 

traction2023

Member
Joined
8 Jun 2023
Messages
6
Location
UK
Out of interest, trainee drivers, would they be asked about tractions used in interview?
Not for your trainee interview, although always good to have in the bag for the what do you know about us etc.. just generic you currently have **this type of traction** and if any future plans to bring new units in or replace old units.. just to show youve took time to do some research which is all out there in google and on their websites..
 

LKS

Member
Joined
11 Oct 2012
Messages
103
Not for your trainee interview, although always good to have in the bag for the what do you know about us etc.. just generic you currently have **this type of traction** and if any future plans to bring new units in or replace old units.. just to show youve took time to do some research which is all out there in google and on their websites..

Oki doki thank you
 

TristanGNER

Member
Joined
15 Jun 2014
Messages
20
Does anyone have any idea how long you can expect to be in the talent pool once you’ve been added to it?
 

Melancholia

Member
Joined
21 May 2016
Messages
498
Location
Argleton
Does anyone have any idea how long you can expect to be in the talent pool once you’ve been added to it?
Anywhere between a couple weeks, and 5 years, to be blunt. All depends on vacancies available at the depot you're in the talent pool in, and your performance in the Driver Manager Interview.

For me it was just under 2 years. My interview was March 2021, and I started February this year.
 

mobotmat21

Member
Joined
24 Dec 2022
Messages
7
Location
Slough
Anywhere between a couple weeks, and 5 years, to be blunt. All depends on vacancies available at the depot you're in the talent pool in, and your performance in the Driver Manager Interview.

For me it was just under 2 years. My interview was March 2021, and I started February this year.
Congrats on your start as a trainee driver mate! I’m about to hit my 2 year wait in the talent pool soon lol

Which depot/area are you based at?
 

BooTwo

Member
Joined
14 Apr 2019
Messages
10
Hi guys, have I missed a few recruitment opportunities? I applied for a trainee position a couple of years back but was unsuccessful, and have since been registered for job alerts with GWR and haven’t heard anything. I occasionally check to see if they’re recruiting but nothing, so I assumed there hadn’t been any recruitment. If there’s any word on the grapevine for recruitment campaigns near to Plymouth I’d be keen to hear!
 

genziu8181

Member
Joined
19 Oct 2020
Messages
55
Location
London
Anywhere between a couple weeks, and 5 years, to be blunt. All depends on vacancies available at the depot you're in the talent pool in, and your performance in the Driver Manager Interview.

For me it was just under 2 years. My interview was March 2021, and I started February this year.
That's great... I have started in October 2019 first tests, December 2019 second round, Covid hit and I had my DMI December 2020 and I am waiting since than

Hi guys, have I missed a few recruitment opportunities? I applied for a trainee position a couple of years back but was unsuccessful, and have since been registered for job alerts with GWR and haven’t heard anything. I occasionally check to see if they’re recruiting but nothing, so I assumed there hadn’t been any recruitment. If there’s any word on the grapevine for recruitment campaigns near to Plymouth I’d be keen to hear!
I have applied April 2019 and I haven't since than any recruitment
 

WombleGuard

Member
Joined
16 Dec 2019
Messages
193
Location
London
The problem for GWR with these long-wait talent pools is that successful candidates whilst waiting, use their GWR sponsored OPC testing and go elsewhere.........I'm still in their pool and yet start with another TOC in September having done just that.
 

genziu8181

Member
Joined
19 Oct 2020
Messages
55
Location
London
The problem for GWR with these long-wait talent pools is that successful candidates whilst waiting, use their GWR sponsored OPC testing and go elsewhere.........I'm still in their pool and yet start with another TOC in September having done just that.
I wish I have started the same before. As my tests run will run out October 2024 I have started to apply for others TOC/FOC companies now. Hope something comes up before than
 

Traindriver40

Member
Joined
12 Nov 2021
Messages
74
Location
midlands
The problem for GWR with these long-wait talent pools is that successful candidates whilst waiting, use their GWR sponsored OPC testing and go elsewhere.........I'm still in their pool and yet start with another TOC in September having done just that.
Me to i am in the Plymouth pool but have now used the GWR tests to get a Train driving job elsewhere.
 

mobotmat21

Member
Joined
24 Dec 2022
Messages
7
Location
Slough
I got a call today with conditional offer for a start in October.


Did you get call today?
Congratulations mate! You must be buzzing

This is a good indication for others in GWR talent pools… Here’s hoping for more good news for us all!
 

DogDays

Member
Joined
1 May 2019
Messages
28
So, I've just had the conditional offer of a trainee driver role starting in December at Reading, pending a medical

Anybody else had any news?
 
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DogDays

Member
Joined
1 May 2019
Messages
28
Thank you

I've been treading water for some time now, my passes were due to expire in January and got the call in October
 

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