My session also had 14 and 2 no shows over a 2 day 4 session period so again 56 over the 2 days so must have been roughly 30 of these 2 days sessions over the whole country to plough through 1500.

Hi Gents,

Congrats to all that passed their assessment. I did my induction a week ago at Yarnfield and was told by tutors that my group was the last to be trained this year and that it will commence again in January. I passed my assessment in September and around 4 weeks later got a response saying I would start in November.

You'll have 5 weeks training in total followed by 2 managers days and 3 weeks of buddying. You may be put up in different locations during the 5 weeks. After Yarnfield I have been given 3 other locations to stay at whilst continuing training. Only if you live within 30 minutes commute of the training facility will you be able to stay at home and travel in.

Its been an enjoyable experience so far. At Yarnfield you get put into your groups with the people who you will be spending the 5 weeks with, normally 8 in a group. Get to know them and it's a much more enjoyable experience.

If you have any questions please ask me and i'll reply. For those who don't already know the 10% performance bonus is included in your wage. No stats to complete as Openreach and the union have not come to an agreement yet.

Thanks for the update especially with the 10% bonus added as that takes a huge weight off most of us I'm sure. What van were you given and how taxing is the course? Do they pay for your traveling time?

Hi mate,

We were all given new Vauxhall Vivaro's eco boost. A tutor said they have also been giving Transits too, only difference is the Transit come with heated seating. No more Fiat Doblos as they are trying to phase them out.

To be honest the driving assessment was pretty relaxed but it depends on who you get. There are two asian guys which are really good, laid back and put you at ease. There's a lady instructor who is very strict and failed a couple of guys.

You go out in pairs, do you vehicle checks and then the instructor goes out for a short drive to show kind of the way he is expecting you to drive. No push pull technique, drive as you would normally but both hands on the wheel. Just check your mirrors a lot and pay attention to road speed. You'll each take turns driving 20 minutes each and then swap, you'll do this twice. You may have to do some manouvers such as reversing around a corner, reverse parking and 3 point turn. Go as slow as you want, they just want to see you do it safely.

From what I heard from the instructor you are going to get a bit of overtime as you leave on a sunday tonget to you accomodation. Similarly the weeks after that you have to get to your hotels and checkin before midnight. They calculate how long it takes you to travel from your address.

All sounds good. Hopefully myself and the rest of the October guys get January start. Never checked me email as much as I have in the last month. I don't mind where training is,what van I get or bonus is I Just want to start. It's good to hear the training is all good. Gives a good heads up cheers.

Hi mate thanks for the info, much appreciated. I had my assessment day on the 21st of September and was finally given a start date last week for January, can't wait! What do you do in Yarnfield on the first week of training? Is it just inductions and health and safety? Or is there climbing and other stuff? Good news about the 10% bonus being included (Y)

Hi,

The first week mainly is around health and safety, customers, driving theory and assessment. It's death by powerpoint i'm afraid but some classes are better than others and the tutors tend to skip some of the stuff which is not relevant. You'll also get introduced to the union and decide if you want to subscibe for about £15 a month. You can always think about it and sign up later. First day you'll collect your uniform, laptop and phone mid week and then your van on friday where you travel about and hour by coach. There your van will be stocked with all your tools apart from tester, which was my groups case anyway.

Sounds intriguing lol. Didn't realise you get a laptop too, can you use it for personal use at home i.e. Surfing the web? What phone was it you got to? Can't wait to get my van but a bit nervous about the driving test even though I drive a van at the moment and it's fairly relaxed, nerves get the better of me haha

I'm sure the van test can't be that bad just avoid handbrake turns!!!
Can you use the phone for own calls/text within reason? Wifey I'm gonna be late type stuff?

Edited by deleted (Sun 20-Nov-16 20:00:32)

What's it like when your not training? do you just sit around with the other lads or lasses? being BT I assume there is WIFI in the rooms right? hopping to Skype home most nights!
Either way exited to get started training!
Can you stop off at services on the way home in your Van I have heard they are quite strict with tracking it.