Passsed a Trainee Train Driver Assessment

[Stedman]

Well, as the title says - I did it!

I know there are a few drivers already on PH, but this post is mainly to say if anyone needs help with the assessment stage I will happily do so.

Passed on my birthday too

[Stedman]

Excellent, for which TOC? I found you have to bosh the application in ASAP.

[Stedman]

No worries. I had exactly the same situation when I was on holiday. This one was only posted a few weeks ago and I got on it. Update this thread when you need advise etc

Best of luck! It's not easy, but it is do-able

[Stedman]

marksx said:

What was the time gap between application and assessment date?

Application went in on 21sept. Got an invite on the 10th of October.


Thanks for the congratulations.

The interview is next Thursday the 25th. Fingers crossed. After this, I have one final interview with an assessor based on bits I wrote down at the assessment centre.

I'm very very excited and I think the only thing that could wipe the smile off my face at the moment is some mace I've just got to keep my feet on the ground and concentrate on the two final hurdles.

[Stedman]

valiant said:

Excellent news!!

Interview will be fairly straight forward and probably competency based so have a few examples of good customer service,dealing with safety issues and handling defects(do NOT use a car or computer as an example - they have heard it all a thousand times before and you will see their eyes roll up the minute you say the engine management light came on and I did this...)

Find out about the TOC including a brief history,routes,depots,etc


Don't come across as a window licker and you'll be fine - you have done the hard part already!

An excellent career is in front of you. Keep us updated!!!

Thanks - I have prepared a lot today for the interview.

I'll update you on Thursday how I felt it went, as long as you all think of me on the day too!

Very excited.

[Stedman]

I had the interview yesterday

[Stedman]

marksx said:

Was that the structured interview? How did it go?

Yup, structured interview.

I was a bit deflated afterwards. I didn't think I came across well.

On reflection though maybe it wasn't so bad. Both interviewers were very pleased with how much I knew about the company (I mentioned the Meet The Managers Scheme and an award they won recently). They also seemed really pleased with my answers for questions like, When have you had to deal with a crisis, when have you been proud of something etc.

I managed to answer all of the questions, I guess just some weren't quite as great as the others i've mentioned. HOPEFULLY it all averages out though

I will find out either way next week or the week after, and with feedback available.

I've decided I will keep this thread updated if and when I get through to the training etc etc. If I don't get through this time, I'll make sure I do with the next opportunity.

[Stedman]

croyde said:

Do you chaps all work on the railways anyway or have you come in from other careers.

Just interested, ta

I don't work on the railways at all. I actually work with young people with Autism (predominately) and other disabilities. Working closely with someone with epilepsy helped me so much.

[Stedman]

tight5 said:

That'll come in handy if you have to talk to signalmen !

I wouldn't dare comment

[Stedman]

Chrisgr31 said:

We need trains let alone drives. When I found myself standing recently for the fourth time in a week as the train was sort due to unit failure I googled the fleet director at Southern and sent him an email applying for a position as a mechanic. I admitted I knew sod all about trains but suggested this wouldn't be a problem as it appeared his existing staff didn't! Strangely not received a reply, but unit reliability has improved!

Southern just work Maintenance Team of the year

[Stedman]

Passed the interview

[Stedman]

Cheers lads!

[Stedman]

j4ckos mate said:

Id like to have a bash at this,

did you just keep your eye on the toc's careers page?

Yup, every.single.day. I'd often check twice a day!

[Stedman]

crazy about cars said:

Very lucrative career with pay packets nearing 6 digits! Hard to get in though...

I'd love to know where I can earn near 6 figures nearly there though..

[Stedman]

Joby1 said:

Just been advised I have been selected to attend a Train Driver assessment centre for First Great Western have not yet been given a date would appreciate any guidance on what books or training material would help me to prepare for the day and fingers crossed pass.
Regards Joby1

Join this website for a month or two. Make sure you become bloody good at those tests. Aim for 90% on all of them and within the time set.

Also when you're at work etc, start thinking a bit more for yourself. If someone tries to do a hard sum, try and do it in your head. It all helps.

There was a bloke who wrote a program for the Group Bourdon (dots) test. Unfortunately it seems he's taken it down

[Stedman]

Passed the second interview today. Weirdly I found it the hardest part of the process so far.

Medical on Tuesday and then a contract will be sent out as soon as there's confirmation I've passed it!

[Stedman]

Haha, cheers!

[Stedman]

Luckily I researched the application process thoroughly, so I've been of the coke for a few weeks now. Don't have a fking clue about the Tourettes though!

Jan 9th should be when the hard work starts. I'm very very eager to start, but also crapping it

[Stedman]

I've been meaning to say, contract is all signed up now. The only thing to do now is arrive on the 7th of Jan, and join the union.

It's a nice Christmas present to myself

[Stedman]

matchmaker said:

Well done! But just wait until the rabid Tories on PH see your mention of The Union!

Hahaha! Put it this way, I won't be paying the political levy

Thank you