• Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

West Midlands Trains recruiting for Trainee Train Drivers!!

Status
Not open for further replies.

Ihopeipass

Member
Joined
10 Feb 2015
Messages
37
Location
Staffordshire
Couldn’t believe I didn’t see this advertised before it was taken down.
So I rang WMR Recruitment as I was in the talent pool back in London Midland Days, and wanted to see if I still was.
Good news is , those that were in the talent pool still are.
Bad news, this current talent pool recruitment is for potential positions in 2019 depending on demand and may be months before anyone hears anything.
But we all know that can change for better or worse. So fingers crossed
 
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

Tubes88

Member
Joined
7 Feb 2018
Messages
17
Just sent off good luck all
Best of luck mate. I've just tried returning to my application but it's not there now so I'm assuming they've received the quota of applications and closed it. You got to be quick getting them applications in.
Here is the contact number good luckView attachment 46174

Hello mate, I don't suppose you have a email address too? I'm in the same predicament, about 76% completed. I'm currently on holiday so I've been trying to complete it 6 hours behind UK time.
 

Lincdsg

Member
Joined
26 Jan 2017
Messages
90
Best of luck mate. I've just tried returning to my application but it's not there now so I'm assuming they've received the quota of applications and closed it. You got to be quick getting them applications in.


Hello mate, I don't suppose you have a email address too? I'm in the same predicament, about 76% completed. I'm currently on holiday so I've been trying to complete it 6 hours behind UK time.

I just spoke to recruitment, they have stated that because they have received the amount they are looking for we won't be able to submit the application now as i expected, however she did say once they have marked them all, if they don't get enough that are up to standard, it'll be reopened again and we will be able to access our applications from where we left off
 

Tubes88

Member
Joined
7 Feb 2018
Messages
17
I just spoke to recruitment, they have stated that because they have received the amount they are looking for we won't be able to submit the application now as i expected, however she did say once they have marked them all, if they don't get enough that are up to standard, it'll be reopened again and we will be able to access our applications from where we left off

Fair enough. Cheers for the update. I will have to keep an eye out for it in the future.
 

Madspotman

Member
Joined
14 Mar 2018
Messages
17
Managed to find my application and submit it after it was took off. So happy to get my name in the pot, fingers crossed!!
 

Andy79

Member
Joined
23 Nov 2017
Messages
26
Just went online to finish off my application!!!!!
Fingers crossed they don’t receive the required number that are up to the standard!
 

Rails1

Member
Joined
16 Feb 2017
Messages
8
Managed to find my application and submit it after it was took off. So happy to get my name in the pot, fingers crossed!!
Just went online to finish off my application!!!!!
Fingers crossed they don’t receive the required number that are up to the standard!

How have you guys managed to finish the application after it closed?? I cant retrieve the application when i click on the link.
 

Andy79

Member
Joined
23 Nov 2017
Messages
26
How have you guys managed to finish the application after it closed?? I cant retrieve the application when i click on the link.
I haven’t and hoping it reopens as they haven’t received enough to pass the grade!
 

Rnich120

New Member
Joined
3 May 2018
Messages
2
I'm so upset....I was ready to to complete my application this evening in time for the 'closing date' having just left the questions to finish and seeing it closed this evening has just killed my evening.

So unfair.
 

Andy79

Member
Joined
23 Nov 2017
Messages
26
I'm so upset....I was ready to to complete my application this evening in time for the 'closing date' having just left the questions to finish and seeing it closed this evening has just killed my evening.

So unfair.
I feel your pain
 

Bellbell

Member
Joined
16 Oct 2013
Messages
245
I'm so upset....I was ready to to complete my application this evening in time for the 'closing date' having just left the questions to finish and seeing it closed this evening has just killed my evening.

So unfair.

Annoying, yes, I feel for you. Are you new to applying for trainee driver roles? It's quite common for them to close early as the application numbers are usually staggering. Only positive (and I know it's a tiny one) to take from this is that you hopefully now have the bones of an application ready to go for the next vacancy.
 

Mag_seven

Forum Staff
Staff Member
Global Moderator
Joined
1 Sep 2014
Messages
12,001
Location
here to eternity
I'm so upset....I was ready to to complete my application this evening in time for the 'closing date' having just left the questions to finish and seeing it closed this evening has just killed my evening.

So unfair.

Is it just me or does anyone else think that closing it prior to the advertised closing date "just isn't cricket"? (assuming there is nothing in the small print that states they reserve the right to do so)
 

RedZed

Member
Joined
9 Sep 2015
Messages
153
You will go through the recruitment process and if successful you will be held in a 'talent pool' until a job becomes available.
If a job becomes available at all. There are no guarantees. There were quite a few of us held in a talent pool for two years with GTR before being told there was no job - and "best of luck for the future".
 

paepo

Member
Joined
28 Jun 2015
Messages
93
Is it just me or does anyone else think that closing it prior to the advertised closing date "just isn't cricket"? (assuming there is nothing in the small print that states they reserve the right to do so)
Unfortunately that's the way most trainee driver vacancies work. There is huge demand for the role so you need to move fast.
TOC & FOC want keen & motivated individuals. Going to the effort of getting an application filled out and submitted ASAP shows that. Everyone wants to take their time and submit as strong an application as possible but given that a lot of vacancies are removed before the closing date it's best to check for vacancies (at least daily) and sign up for job alerts so you can start work on your application as early as possible.
I was lucky that vacancies for my TOC appeared whilst I was on holiday. I started as soon as the vacancies were posted and spent the rest of the day, that night and the next morning filling it out. My other half wasn't best pleased but she understood it was worth the effort and sacrifice of part of our holiday. Thankfully it all worked out in the end and I got a job!
It may be worthwhile looking at other driver vacancies that you aren't applying for (same TOC but a different depot) and compile answers to the questions in a Word document. You can then copy and paste your answers over onto an application you are filling out and it will take no time at all. (a lot of TOC use the same type of questions so check other adverts, not just ones for the TOC you want to work for as it will give you a good bank of answers for application and interview) Doing this proved helpful for my application and also the word counter on Word is helpful to ensure you don't go over the limit for your application answers.
All the best, it might take a while to get there but the wait is worth it in the end!
 

Mag_seven

Forum Staff
Staff Member
Global Moderator
Joined
1 Sep 2014
Messages
12,001
Location
here to eternity
Unfortunately that's the way most trainee driver vacancies work. There is huge demand for the role so you need to move fast.
TOC & FOC want keen & motivated individuals. Going to the effort of getting an application filled out and submitted ASAP shows that. Everyone wants to take their time and submit as strong an application as possible but given that a lot of vacancies are removed before the closing date it's best to check for vacancies (at least daily) and sign up for job alerts so you can start work on your application as early as possible.
I was lucky that vacancies for my TOC appeared whilst I was on holiday. I started as soon as the vacancies were posted and spent the rest of the day, that night and the next morning filling it out. My other half wasn't best pleased but she understood it was worth the effort and sacrifice of part of our holiday. Thankfully it all worked out in the end and I got a job!
It may be worthwhile looking at other driver vacancies that you aren't applying for (same TOC but a different depot) and compile answers to the questions in a Word document. You can then copy and paste your answers over onto an application you are filling out and it will take no time at all. (a lot of TOC use the same type of questions so check other adverts, not just ones for the TOC you want to work for as it will give you a good bank of answers for application and interview) Doing this proved helpful for my application and also the word counter on Word is helpful to ensure you don't go over the limit for your application answers.
All the best, it might take a while to get there but the wait is worth it in the end!

Thanks for that but I should have pointed out that I'm just a casual observer of these threads (I'm not looking for a job in the rail industry having recently retired from it! )

I am just interested to see how people get on at the start of their railway careers and I do find it a bit off that so called "closing dates for applications" are closed early (even if they are swamped with applications) with the ensuing frustration and disappointment that that creates for would be applicants. In my book a "closing date for applications" should mean just that!

Maybe a fairer system would be for the employer to state something like:

"Applications for this vacancy/vacancies will no longer be considered once a certain number of applications have been received or the closing date is reached whichever is sooner"
 
Last edited:

paepo

Member
Joined
28 Jun 2015
Messages
93
I agree, it SHOULD mean that, sadly it doesn't. TOC and FOC have the power to pull the jobs early and also to leave candidates dangling for weeks or months to find out their fate. With so many applicants they can afford to treat people in quite a poor manner as they know they have plenty of people to choose from.
Once in the door it's different but it seems from what I hear and also read on here, candidates are left not knowing what's going on for very long periods of time.
 

Dot2018

Member
Joined
15 Mar 2018
Messages
49
Surely by now most TOCs know the volume of applications they are about to receive and could even set an hour when the application will close. e.g. they know they always get 400 to 600 applications within X hours.
 

paepo

Member
Joined
28 Jun 2015
Messages
93
Their game, their rules. Sadly that sums it up.
Best thing to do is try and prepare answers and start ASAP on any application you are interested in and submit it in a timely fashion. I submitted mine less than 24hours after the vacancy was posted as I was scared it may be withdrawn.
 
Joined
7 Oct 2015
Messages
590
I'm so upset....I was ready to to complete my application this evening in time for the 'closing date' having just left the questions to finish and seeing it closed this evening has just killed my evening.

So unfair.

Happened to me with the ATW valley line advert about 18 months ago. Felt so angry at the time. But i learnt from it. The drafts I'd done for the questions were then built upon and until I had a bank of answers to a huge number of potential questions. These formed the basis for future applications which, with the use of copy and paste, I got in within 24hrs of being advertised.
 

tiptoptaff

Established Member
Joined
15 Feb 2013
Messages
3,225
Every single advert for a Trainee Driver I have seen in the last year or two has said on it we will close early if we get a high number of applications. In fact, I've seen it on most jobs now.
 

Tubes88

Member
Joined
7 Feb 2018
Messages
17
I'm so upset....I was ready to to complete my application this evening in time for the 'closing date' having just left the questions to finish and seeing it closed this evening has just killed my evening.

So unfair.

I know that feeling. Keep the faith; as some of the guys have said on this forum, West Midlands Railway will reopen if they do not receive the required amount of applications up to standard, so you never know.

Take this time to complete the questions and if it does reopen, copy and paste the answers. Worse case, if it does not reopen, next time they have a recruitment drive you will have the questions at hand.
 

Tubes88

Member
Joined
7 Feb 2018
Messages
17
I don't suppose anyone made a note of the competency questions? Usually I make a copy for future reference but didn't on this occasion.

If any does and would be willing to share that would really appreciated
 

sargentsiri

Member
Joined
1 Jan 2018
Messages
72
I don't suppose anyone made a note of the competency questions? Usually I make a copy for future reference but didn't on this occasion.

If any does and would be willing to share that would really appreciated

I did - they are on my desktop at home, if no-one has them to hand easier i'll try & fire up the old girl and get them off for you :)
 

sargentsiri

Member
Joined
1 Jan 2018
Messages
72
Thank you, it's really appreciated.

You're welcome, hopefully someone else comes along first though as my desk top PC is now an old girl, 10 years, and is painfully slow!

Off the top of my head they were; Following procedure, good customer service (above & beyond etc) and one regards using good judgement.
 

Tubes88

Member
Joined
7 Feb 2018
Messages
17
You're welcome, hopefully someone else comes along first though as my desk top PC is now an old girl, 10 years, and is painfully slow!

Off the top of my head they were; Following procedure, good customer service (above & beyond etc) and one regards using good judgement.

I know that feeling. Mines about the same and turns on when she wants to. Still better than trying to complete an application than on a smartphone as I tried to do for this job as I was away from my computer.
 

LRV3004

Member
Joined
17 Mar 2015
Messages
625
To anyone applying for vacancies that are in danger of being removed early, maybe try this:
Create a Microsoft Word document in your own time covering the questions likely to be asked on an application such as "give us an example of......" or "why do you want to work for us", and also things like your duties and responsibilities in your current employment etc etc and save it. When the vacancy is advertised and it comes to filling the form out, copy and paste the information from the saved Word document into the relevant sections of the application. Obviously then tweak it to make it relevant to the company you're applying for as each application form for the various companies are different. That should save you a bit of time and will help you get that application in quick!
 

Quaver

Member
Joined
11 Apr 2018
Messages
47
Hi All,

This is also my first Post :) :) :) i have been a bit of a creeper on this forum for a while but found it interesting and usefull while working for a Train company in the contact Centre (sadly i cant mention which company)

I joined because of this post because i saw the advert and have literally just received an email inviting me to the next stage, so thank you to this forum for finding the role, but honestly what should i expect?

I know this has been asked loads but any advice would be appreciated :)

Thanks in advance.

Quaver
 

FManc

Member
Joined
21 Jul 2011
Messages
399
I just got 6 emails in one go (all duplicates) saying I'm through to the next stage and got to complete an online assessment within the next 5 days.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top