Persistence has always been my middle name - never seen the point of doing anything half hearted if it's something you really want to do, which I have for many years.

Congrats on your new job - we may well meet at some stage. Were you already working for FGW^▸ (First Great Western) or did you come from outside the industry?

Pat

Hi there SDA

sure you can ask and its a bit strange to be honest.

About 3 months ago i was looking everywhere on net for driving jobs info - as you say there was nothing on the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) website. anyway i did a search in google and at about page 7 there was a link to a UK^▸ (United Kingdom) rail magazine website - can't remember the magazine name but in the jobs section there was a link to a company called Barkers - might be a recruitment firm, i really am not sure.

Anyway they had a small website advertising positions for both qualified drivers and trainees at about 5 locations. So I went to the trainee page and had to go into another site and then fill in about 20 pages of info. Luckily i filled it in in just a few days as next time I looked the trainee page had gone and it just said all positions now filled.

A week later I got a letter from FGW saying thanks but we're now full and we will keep you on file till the next intake. Then yesterday I got the A4 envelope with a letter about next assessment at Newport on 2nd June, and practice books and a map of Newport station.

I was very surprised to get this within about 6 weeks of the no thanks letter.

Just found the site with the application pages on:

http://www.abrandnewview.co.uk/default.asp?active_page_id=1623

And as you say, at the time no link whatsoever from the FGW main site. Maybe it was a test to see if you really wanted the job

Pat

many thanks Inspector

plenty to read anyway and I am going to download as much as I can to practice on.

cheers

Patrick

Hi guys

No sooner do i start posting here just to say hi, the today out of the blue I get a letter asking me to come for a trainee driver assessment and structured interview at Newport on the 2nd June. Plenty of notice anyway

I applied months ago but was out of luck then so not sure if something changed in the meantime but it's all good to me really.

I have started doing the practice tests that they sent me and also looking for more to do.

Basically I was wondering if there's anyone here who works for FGW^▸ (First Great Western) and could give me any kind of insight into the assessment days and interview. I am really not trying to cheat or anything, just get a heads up on how to prepare as best I can.

To be honest I haven't had to do an interview for anyone for at least 10 years so a bit rusty in some ways. Have already done a lot of research on FGW generally and also First Group as a whole but really would love to be ready for whatever is thrown at me on the day.

Worked in travel for the past 21 years but not for the rail industry. Hope I will come across ok on the day anyway.

Oh and base would be Exeter West so maybe there's a reason they're looking for people there.

Right now I must practice with the bop-it for the co-ordination test

Many thanks in advance for any info that can be shared.

Patrick

many thanks Chris

always good to get a warm welcome on the net these days.

and thanks to all for the good info here.

Patrick

Hi Ian

and hi to everyone else of course.

Patrick here from Swansea, although sent to Ireland some time back - will return soon I am sure of it.

Still a regular user of FGW^▸ (First Great Western) HST^▸ (High Speed Train) from Swansea to Paddington whenever I am back - don't like flying much and prefer to spend the few hours looking out the window. Also spent many happy hours down at Swansea station as a child watching the HSTs arriving and departing. Still love the noise from the old days.

Anyway great to be here and hope to contribute when I have something useful to say.

best wishes

Patrick