I am also starting on the 11th - spoke to a guy today to arrange travel.

In reply to a post by simer1:

I am also starting on the 11th - spoke to a guy today to arrange travel.

Me too,

See you at Yarnfield then mate.

Just sent you a pm Dave......

Replied Simon

Hi all,

This has been so helpful reading all this. I have my assessment on the 12th of April, very nervous. My background is BT I worked on the IT desk for nearly 7 years then I left to travel a little (before it was to late lol). I applied for this last June so it has taken a while to get to this stage so I don't want to mess it up. I'm a little scared being female might go against me i'm really hoping not . Are the interviews really intense? I'm not so worried about the plug or colour blind test.

I had just had my call and they have booked a train for me to go to Yarnfield on the Sunday before I start. He said I would be given van on the Friday to drive home if all well.

I start 18th April. Anyone else on that course?

I was then told I was training in Croydon after.

Does anyone know about parking permits for BT vans. I live in a permit area and obviously already pay for my own personal vehicle but will now have the BT van as well! I can't afford both and with it being a commercial vehicle it costs a fortune where I am. If we are forced to keep vehicles at home then surely they must cover the permit costs? I really hope so or I am stuck!

I thought the interviews were quite laid back to be honest.
They talk through your C.V on one interview and then ask
You questions such as why you want the job and what's important
To you.

And then the second interview was scenario based. Asking questions such
As... You arrive at a customers house and there not happy because your late
Explain what you would do... And then if they won't accept your explanation
What would you do next....

Then lastly you wire a plug and do the colour blind test.

Permits at to be paid by the employee, you could park your van at the nearest exchange but you'd still be expected to be at your first job by 8am ready to work with the newer contracts.

Try not worry too much about the assessment day, I was nervous as hell for mine and even as I was there but I passed it still.
One of my interviews was great, the guy was from my local area and was basically giving me a helping hand the whole way through it! The other not so much and he seemed to be acting as to put me off the job but I held strong and persistent!
All I suggest is do as you're doing, get plenty research in off forums and even YouTube videos as to what the engineers do and get some examples in your head of good customer service you've given in the past!
You get 20 minutes to wire the plug, I'd never done one before but managed within the time, they say people have flew through their interviews in the past but had to be knocked back as they didn't wire the plug correctly or within the time limit so even if you're confident at it I'd still have a couple of practices with a timer running.
Where's you're assessment day at?

If we are forced to keep vehicles at home then surely they must cover the permit costs? I really hope so or I am stuck!

You won't be forced to keep the van at home, you can be a 'yard parker', and leave the van in the nearest exchange or TEC car park. This will have to be arranged via your manager, and obviously getting to and from the yard will be down to you also.

I did my first training in Croydon many moons ago.