Arriva Trains Wales - Trainee Driver & Conductor Jobs

[387star]

I remember the Cambrian Line well

Back in 2001 I holidayed close to Barmouth

I must say though Barmouth itself I remember as grim! probably improved now

I went on a steam train from somewhere near by forget the place towyn or something

Coming back a four car wales and borders 158 turned up but in central trains livery with the rear two coaches locked out of use... they had been attached by accident or something! so guess 2 cars is the norm that way

 

[Gareth111278]

Sounds like you went on the Tal y Llyn railway from Tywyn (Towyn is near Rhyl)

We don't operate 4 cars if we can help it as they don't fit on many of our platforms.
I suspect what you rode on had worked a busy service in the other direction or was simply moving a spare unit somewhere.

 

[Suraggu]

They closed the conductor vacancies early, does not surprise me considering the level of unemployment in South Wales.

 

[Gareth111278]

They closed the conductor vacancies early, does not surprise me considering the level of unemployment in South Wales.

I can't speak for South Wales but up here in the north conductor jobs are very sought after. What else can you do round here with 2 GCSEs (the only formal qualification asked for) that's year round , warm, dry & has security.
£30K+ for 35 hours is unbelievable to many people here.

 

[Undiscovered]

I think all of the conductor positions closed early, certainly by 5pm Friday gone.

I was looking at things in general- Shrewsbury conductors would sign a variety of traction and routes? 150s on the stopper to Crewe, 175s to Crewe and Cardiff on the Marches, and 158s to Birmingham and towards Mach on the Cambrian and also to Chester. Am I along the right lines?
Would they also sign the 67s too or would that purely be Holyhead and Cardiff depots?

 

[craigybagel]

I think all of the conductor positions closed early, certainly by 5pm Friday gone.

Shrewsbury and Cardiff closed first - Crewe, Machynlleth and Carmarthen stayed open for the weekend (as did drivers at Machynlleth and Pwlheli). All have closed now though.

I was looking at things in general- Shrewsbury conductors would sign a variety of traction and routes? 150s on the stopper to Crewe, 175s to Crewe and Cardiff on the Marches, and 158s to Birmingham and towards Mach on the Cambrian and also to Chester. Am I along the right lines?
Would they also sign the 67s too or would that purely be Holyhead and Cardiff depots?

Shrewsbury - Crewe - Chester - Shrewsbury triangle
Wrexham - Bidston
Shrewsbury - Birmingham International (via both Smethwick and Bescot)
Shrewbury - Cardiff
Craven Arms - Llanwrtyd
Shrewbury - Aberystwyth

Traction is 150,153,158,175, 67 + MkIII.

With regards to your questions, they don't have much work on the Crewe stopper however, other than the first roundtrip early in the morning (0531 SHR-CRE and 0640 return) and the last Manchester - Shrewsbury at night (2314 CRE-SHR). Cardiff Conductors don't sign 67s, Shrewsbury currently work all loco and stock services south of Chester.

 

[Dai_Llama]

You can add Holyhead to that list now; just been opened today.

 

[Undiscovered]

Unsuccessful.
I know it's a long road but I have to say I'm disappointed in myself- probably didn't sell myself enough.
Good luck to other applicants though!

 

[craigybagel]

Unsuccessful.
I know it's a long road but I have to say I'm disappointed in myself- probably didn't sell myself enough.
Good luck to other applicants though!

Sorry to hear that. Was that for Conductor or Driver? Keep trying, it takes most applicants for either job several times to get in, and there's a lot of competition!

 

[RSTurbo50]

Yep Iv been rejected for conductor for Crewe. Not expecting too much from my trainee driver application either.

 

[Undiscovered]

Sorry to hear that. Was that for Conductor or Driver? Keep trying, it takes most applicants for either job several times to get in, and there's a lot of competition!

Conductor. I had invitation to attend an assessment day 3 years ago but decided to take an internal promotion instead. Hindsight is a fabulous thing...

I didn't apply for driver as conductor is really what I wanted to do- I like customer facing and the interaction it brings.

 

[craigybagel]

Conductor. I had invitation to attend an assessment day 3 years ago but decided to take an internal promotion instead. Hindsight is a fabulous thing...

I didn't apply for driver as conductor is really what I wanted to do- I like customer facing and the interaction it brings.

Yep Iv been rejected for conductor for Crewe. Not expecting too much from my trainee driver application either.

Sorry to both of you. Like I said before, keep plugging away, and hopefully something will come up! It took me 7 goes to get a Conductor Position, and that was as existing Rail staff.

 

[metalmickey]

Gutting for those who have received rejection emails, keep trying and good things will happen eventually. I've just checked my application status for trainee conductor Cardiff and its changed to assessment, but I've not received any email from ATW, does this mean I'm through to the next stage? Also does anyone know if the Cardiff vacancy is for the valleys or mainline, I just want to know what routes to learn. Thank you in advanceforcany replies

 

[andysuccamo]

Hi guys,

My application is still on shortlisting but I want to try preparing myself incase I get through to the assessment stage. Realistically what should I be researching and what questions am I likely to be asked? I have downloaded the GBT and SCAAT test and have been working on them. I read something about a physics test aswell?

Thanks guys!

 

[metalmickey]

Hi guys,

My application is still on shortlisting but I want to try preparing myself incase I get through to the assessment stage. Realistically what should I be researching and what questions am I likely to be asked? I have downloaded the GBT and SCAAT test and have been working on them. I read something about a physics test aswell?

Thanks guys!

Hi Andysuccamo, I've just had an email from ATW stating that I'm through to the online assessments, they only mention the GBT and SCAAT test, where did you download the practice tests as I'm searching online but can't find them, thank you in and advance and good luck

 

[Joe.666]

Hi "Undiscovered",

How did you get on with your LM application pal...?

 

[andysuccamo]

Hi Andysuccamo, I've just had an email from ATW stating that I'm through to the online assessments, they only mention the GBT and SCAAT test, where did you download the practice tests as I'm searching online but can't find them, thank you in and advance and good luck

Hi metal,

Here is the link http://www.railforums.co.uk/bourdon.zip

What area did you apply for?

Best of luck

 

[metalmickey]

Hi Andy, I applied for a trainee conductor post in Cardiff, I can't seem to download the group bourdon test, but the email states that the 2 tests are a mini SCAAT and General Ability Test, I've received an email for a link o take the mini SCAAT Test but I'm still waiting for the email with the link to the General Ability Test. ATW haven't sent any practice material, I've found practice material for the mini SCAAT Test but nothing for the General Ability Test, so haven't got a clue on what to practice or expect!

 

[andysuccamo]

Hi Andy, I applied for a trainee conductor post in Cardiff, I can't seem to download the group bourdon test, but the email states that the 2 tests are a mini SCAAT and General Ability Test, I've received an email for a link o take the mini SCAAT Test but I'm still waiting for the email with the link to the General Ability Test. ATW haven't sent any practice material, I've found practice material for the mini SCAAT Test but nothing for the General Ability Test, so haven't got a clue on what to practice or expect!

That's strange. Does it not download as a zip file?
Best of luck in the tests my application is still stuck on shortlisting let us know what the general ability test is all about. I reckon that will be like basic physics.

 

[Hprice1099]

Hi guys,

Just some quick advice if you don't mind, I've been successful to the next stage. My question is if I fail the next stage (online tests) would this impact my application for trainee driver? Both at Crewe.
My second question, in relation to the enforced overtime on Sundays. Is this included in the 31k salary or extra on top?

Thanks

 

[Undiscovered]

Hi "Undiscovered",

How did you get on with your LM application pal...?

Yeah... That's a whole bunch of irony I really don't want to get into! Suffice to say I showed integrity to my current occupation and hindsight says that it wasn't a smart move.
My good lady says that i should be way more ruthless in pursuit of this career. Both these application processes have shown me that you have to do everything and anything necessary to get what you truly want.
Mind you, I'm only 3 years into the application process, so there's still time. I just gotta be better and sharper next time around, that's all.

 

[metalmickey]

Hi guys,

Just some quick advice if you don't mind, I've been successful to the next stage. My question is if I fail the next stage (online tests) would this impact my application for trainee driver? Both at Crewe.
My second question, in relation to the enforced overtime on Sundays. Is this included in the 31k salary or extra on top?

Thanks

 

[craigybagel]

Hi guys,

My second question, in relation to the enforced overtime on Sundays. Is this included in the 31k salary or extra on top?

Thanks

 

[kwkz1000]

Hi everyone. I have applied for Trainee Driver position with ATW. Does anyone know what the stages of selection process are if my application is successful, ie is it interview then tests etc and also, what sort of questions are asked at interview, and what tests are involved. I have applied for Crewe....what routes will I be driving, and what types of trains do they run. I currently work as a guard on trains for Merseyrail. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Hprice1099]

Hi mate, pretty sure that if you fail the online tests, it shouldn't make any difference to your trainee driver application, different jobs with different tests on the whole. Quick question did ATW send you any practice material for the tests or are you going in blind? I've received an email with the link for the SCAAT Test but still awaiting an email for the General Ability Test!

Hi mate,

No I never got any material, from what the email says it has links to two different sites to do the tests. Its give login details for both on the email
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It's on top, it's overtime paid at time + 1/3rd, although if you don't want to work your Sundays Crewe is one of the easier depots to get rid of them at.

Thanks mate, is it every Sunday your rostered for O/T?

 

[craigybagel]

Thanks mate, is it every Sunday your rostered for O/T?

No, just the 1 in 3. You can volunteer for other Sundays as well though, and if there are are uncovered turns you'll be offered them. You can also do someone else's rostered Sunday for them if you want.

 

[Hprice1099]

No, just the 1 in 3. You can volunteer for other Sundays as well though, and if there are are uncovered turns you'll be offered them. You can also do someone else's rostered Sunday for them if you want.

Thanks
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

No, just the 1 in 3. You can volunteer for other Sundays as well though, and if there are are uncovered turns you'll be offered them. You can also do someone else's rostered Sunday for them if you want.

Any chance you know what shifts there are? I know its a 4 day week but not sure on start times ect

 

[Joe.666]

Hi guys,

Sounds like your building your hopes up to much...I'm guessing you haven't been offered the jobs yet...?

 

[craigybagel]

Thanks
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Any chance you know what shifts there are? I know its a 4 day week but not sure on start times ect

Earliest start around 0250, latest finish around 0120, with various start and finish times in between. Mostly it's a week of earlies then a week of lates, changing over on the Sunday.

Hi guys,

Sounds like your building your hopes up to much...I'm guessing you haven't been offered the jobs yet...?

Noone has got past the first online assessment for guards, or even the initial sift for drivers yet. I don't see any harm personally in people asking about the realities of the job though even at this early stage.

 

[Joe.666]

Earliest start around 0250, latest finish around 0120, with various start and finish times in between. Mostly it's a week of earlies then a week of lates, changing over on the Sunday.


Noone has got past the first online assessment for guards, or even the initial sift for drivers yet. I don't see any harm personally in people asking about the realities of the job though even at this early stage.

To be honest, I couldn't agree more.