I had an assessment yesterday as well, got a phone call saying i have passed and offered me a job. Start 2nd November can't wait

Well done Emily. Get yer thermals ready, I reckon we are in for a cold one this year.

But! But!

They didn't mention that in the job adverts.

Well I have arrived at training centre all got picked up at train station filled into mini busses then,had to fill out quick form to get room key mixed ages about 19lads and one young lady. Rooms are very basic and could do with a lick of paint but they will serve there purpose.tomorrow starts at 8am with induction so will post how it goes.

In reply to a post by btbert:

much the same at the end of the day ie first 1/2hr driving home is unpayed but if longer is payed.So we give them 5hrs a week for free but then you dont need a car to get to work .So ups and downs but for me it works to park at home still.

But new starters maybe on a different contract? If so it will be worse.

Not if the European court has anything to do with it; Travelling to work 'is work', European court rules. That could shake things up a bit.

It certainly will shake things up in the company for those on newer contracts. It may actually be to their advantage to now start encouraging people to park in their local exchange again, rather than at home. We shall see.

It is an interesting ruling - I am assuming there must be some limit? A company can't really control where their staff live - what if someone decides to live an average of 4.5 hours drive from the work area? Over a 5 day week with a 48 hour working maximum that would leave just over half an hour a week to do actual work.

I know it is an extreme example but some people choose to live close to their "patch" and others, for various reasons, live further away. I live close to my work place and pay more for housing because of that - those that live further away get cheaper housing and would potentially have fewer productive work hours.

Yep i did see that on the news .

The union will love that they are already trying to get top line increase by getting rid of that bonus we get.

So my first week is over this is how it went . Arrived at stone station along with everybody else you just tell them your name and pick a mini bus then a quick trip to yarnfield. You collect your room key and off you go. Monday we all meet in reception were they will call your names out in groups these are the groups you will be training in until training is over. The morning is full of paper work ,telling you what's expected of you presentations about health and safety (there is a quick 15min break about 10.30) then after lunch it selling time by the union and another company many people werent happy about this( quite pressured).after that's done you get issued your kit there is loads of it. Then another quick chat and your done.
Tuesday
It's a long day it's a full day on health and safety lots of videos to watch discussions etc
Wednesday
The morning was driver theory (this is to do with getting your van on Friday) looking at situations what's wrong how they could do it better etc. Then the afternoon it was about manual handling this only lasted 1.5hrs so we were done by 2.30
Thursday
Driver practical
Here you get split into twos with a AA driving assessor they assess how well you drive a van looking at speed reverse parking parallel parking etc . ( You fail this you don't get your van Fri sadly this happened to the lad in the van with me. You will retake it again at a later date. I would advise lots of van driving if you have never driven one)
Thursday afternoon
Was basic electrical theory
Measuring volts working out resistance etc
Friday
Is van collection day depending on how far away you live depends on if your on first bus or not.

The rooms
Very basic and pretty grubby very used and abused
Food
Pretty decent cooked breakfast in morn or portrayed etc lunch you get 3 options same as at tea time
(If you see a pudding you like grab it as they go quick and don't always restock them )

Training
May not be were you are told after first week found out the rest of my training is in cardiff

Sorry for the long read any Questions just ask