Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) Talent Pool

[TeaTrain]

Nope not a qualified driver XD. Worked for ATW on Holyhead - Man Pic/ Airport lines and Blaenau line as a Guard. Me and the mrs moved to Manchester. Before making the move I was getting ready to be a train driver and spent time at the sims and speaking to the instructors. I was very good with the drivers who couple up with a trainee to clock the necessary hours so learnt a lot that way.

I have also passed all the tests etc and waiting for a position to apply for at Man Pic. I don't think it will happen for a while though!

At least they have extended your holding position. Good luck with it!

 

[craigybagel]

All driver course from about Shrewsbury/ Mach upwards are done at the 158/ 150 sims in Chester now btw. Unless they changed the set up again XD

Thanks for the heads up. Seems Balol25 and I are likely to end up on different courses due to geography and varying demand for new drivers at different locations.

It may all change with, dependant on the results of the new franchise bids.

To be honest, I wouldn't say that's set in stone as such - it's just lately they've had enough trainee drivers coming through to run schools North and south and not need to use hotels. Only last year however that wasn't the case.

In either case as you've all just discovered there will be no drivers courses any time soon so I guess it's a moot point!

No word as yet as to what's going to happen with guards - the last batch are currently going through the final stages of training with some of those at depots with smaller route cards already out by themselves.

 

[Balol25]

I don't know butt, I don't know how it works on here but I'll take a look and let you know if I figure it out. As long as you've got the email, that's the most important thing. They said they'd send it out before the end of the week but it was sent almost as soon as I was off the phone to them. Now that's efficiency!

It's a little disappointing that there will be no courses on this year but it's very good news that we have had our "on hold" extended by 12 months. Particularly as that will take us into the start of the next franchise in 2018, where inevitably the TOC that secures the franchise will need to recruit new drivers. With the new Metro System just around the corner too, things are looking promising for those of us on hold, as well as future applicants.

I am wondering though, what format the interview will take. Do we need to start preparing ourselves for that now? What are your thoughts?

To be honest I was expecting something like this with the upcoming renewal of the franchise. I agree, I'm pleased that they've extended the on hold period . However, like you said it's a shame they won't be starting any time soon. At least we know where we stand until the beginning of next year.

I was also thinking about the interview, I would guess it would be in the style of the managers interview, consisting of what we did previously in that interview but also to see whether you are still willing and keen for the role.

 

[tiptoptaff]

Well I gather there will be an increased need for more regular trains, as well as trams and buses with the new Metro system :roll:

Well then I would highly recommend you look closely again at the Metro proposals. The company will split - if you are Cardiff Valleys, as you will be if taken on directly at Cardiff, you will go to the Metro and work on trams or whatever derivative they use.

Do not assume anything. A level of defined uncertainty surrounds the company at the moment. No one really quite knows what's going to happen, other than it is widely known the WAG want to do away with heavy rail on the Valleys network.

Don't forget, when the Trams arrive, there will be circa 150 guards to find jobs for...

 

[Budgie]

Well then I would highly recommend you look closely again at the Metro proposals. The company will split - if you are Cardiff Valleys, as you will be if taken on directly at Cardiff, you will go to the Metro and work on trams or whatever derivative they use.

Do not assume anything. A level of defined uncertainty surrounds the company at the moment. No one really quite knows what's going to happen, other than it is widely known the WAG want to do away with heavy rail on the Valleys network.

Don't forget, when the Trams arrive, there will be circa 150 guards to find jobs for...

That’s a very glum view you have, which contradicts what the recruitment team have told me and what I have read on the subject. There will be new trams and more trains, which will surely mean there’ll be a need for more guards, train drivers and tram drivers but we’ll see eventually I guess.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/business-news/you-need-know-south-east-9557564

 

[Budgie]

To be honest I was expecting something like this with the upcoming renewal of the franchise. I agree, I'm pleased that they've extended the on hold period . However, like you said it's a shame they won't be starting any time soon. At least we know where we stand until the beginning of next year.

I was also thinking about the interview, I would guess it would be in the style of the managers interview, consisting of what we did previously in that interview but also to see whether you are still willing and keen for the role.

I'm sure they'll tell us what format the interview will take, when they contact prior to it. If not, I'm sure they'd expect us to ask them.

 

[Budgie]

Nope not a qualified driver XD. Worked for ATW on Holyhead - Man Pic/ Airport lines and Blaenau line as a Guard. Me and the mrs moved to Manchester. Before making the move I was getting ready to be a train driver and spent time at the sims and speaking to the instructors. I was very good with the drivers who couple up with a trainee to clock the necessary hours so learnt a lot that way.

I have also passed all the tests etc and waiting for a position to apply for at Man Pic. I don't think it will happen for a while though!

At least they have extended your holding position. Good luck with it!

Thanks TeaTrain,

Recruitment has all slowed down for now but I have been told will pick up with vigour, once the new franchise is up and running.

Good luck with your application.

 

[Budgie]

To be honest, I wouldn't say that's set in stone as such - it's just lately they've had enough trainee drivers coming through to run schools North and south and not need to use hotels. Only last year however that wasn't the case.

In either case as you've all just discovered there will be no drivers courses any time soon so I guess it's a moot point!

No word as yet as to what's going to happen with guards - the last batch are currently going through the final stages of training with some of those at depots with smaller route cards already out by themselves.

Yes, I'm assuming recruitment will slow down for all posts until the new franchise has been secured. Next year will see a surge in requirement for new staff. So it's a case of just waiting out for now and it will pick up again in 2018

 

[TeaTrain]

Yeh I won't be going back to work for ATW as they don't operate from Man Pic but perhaps Northern or Virgin. I passed with Virgin Trains so we will see!

As for the new franchise even since I was there in 2015 there was so much speculation and assumption. No one will know the facts until it has been released. I do love a bit of gossip on the railway though XD

 

[heshellofalaf]

ATW are now advertising for qualified drivers.

 

[RefLeaf92]

Just noticed the qualified driver recruitment myself. Wonder how that will effect those of you in the pool. I was unfortunate not make it past the initial sift when the last trainee driver vacancy was out last year. Hopefully one will come round again next year

 

[Budgie]

ATW are now advertising for qualified drivers.

Yes, the recruitment team said they aren't putting on any new driver courses until next year, due to not knowing which way the franchise will go, so they're restricted to advertising for qualified drivers only.

 

[Spikeylado]

Hi i`m currently on hold for a guards position for Crewe/Shrewsbury since November. Reading the posts it appears that most of you ring recruitment, i have only been emailing. Would it be better to ring if so what is the number? Many thanks,
Andy

 

[Budgie]

Hi i`m currently on hold for a guards position for Crewe/Shrewsbury since November. Reading the posts it appears that most of you ring recruitment, i have only been emailing. Would it be better to ring if so what is the number? Many thanks,
Andy

Hi Andy,

I've only ever emailed them up until the last time, where I contacted them via landline. The recruitment team seemed happy that I called and even advised me to call them every couple of months or so for an update or if I had any specific queries.

I think you're best off emailing them and calling them alternately so they are reminded of your name and can see you are still keen but not being a fanatical pest, so to speak

I'll see if I can send you a private message with the number. Good luck with everything and let us know how you get on with calling them

 

[Budgie]

HA! no. Got out while I was still sane!! Hard to tell what's going to happen as when I left in November the Welsh Government hadn't worked out which end was arse and which end was elbow, and what it wanted to do with it all. There is a lot of bad feeling from the public but that stems from the fact they haven't much stock. Would be the same whoever had it.

The public opinion is that Arriva haven't done all that well. Now, from those of us inside the railway, we understand the challenges and can say yes indeed they have done very well under the circumstance. But to the lay person, and lay AM and MP, they have not.

Which depot are you going for?>

I'm on hold for Cardiff.

I agree, in my opinion ATW have done a grand job, with increased passenger numbers, the adopt a station initiative and the latest free WiFi enterprise, to name a few. People are cleverly being encouraged to take the train and it's working.

 

[6opher]

I've been in Arriva Trains Wales’s, Trainee Train Driver Talent Pool since August 2016 (8 months at the time of posting this post). I was wondering if anyone else out there finds themselves in the same situation as me. I was the only person who attended my Assessment Day, so I haven’t met anyone else who got as far as the talent pool.

If you’re out there, you may be feeling a little dejected at this stage, which is understandable, but I do have this information I can share with you, which may help you understand the leisurely pace of progress and hopefully help you remain optimistic:

Snip​

Hi,
I'm in the same boat as you. I did my assessments a few weeks before. On the day I remember the lady saying there was somebody doing their assessments on their own a few weeks after us.

I really hope it does happen for us but looks like we've just been pushed further back in the queue as they have just advertised for qualified drivers again. I'm hoping this is just to get new drivers in straight away once new franchise is announced shortly and then the rest of us in the pool will be used for future courses in a big recruitment drive.

Let's just keep our fingers crossed...

 

[Budgie]

Hi,
I'm in the same boat as you. I did my assessments a few weeks before. On the day I remember the lady saying there was somebody doing their assessments on their own a few weeks after us.

I really hope it does happen for us but looks like we've just been pushed further back in the queue as they have just advertised for qualified drivers again. I'm hoping this is just to get new drivers in straight away once new franchise is announced shortly and then the rest of us in the pool will be used for future courses in a big recruitment drive.

Let's just keep our fingers crossed...

Hello,

Yes, that lone candidate was me. Did you get the email from them stating they have extended our time in the talent pool from 2 years to 3? This is due to the fact we have been unfortunately disadvantaged due to the franchise bidding process.

Going by the info available, we should know our fate come August this year when the new franchisee takes over the operation, if not sooner. Next month (Mar 18) they will be announcing who the new operating company is and maybe we'll hear of what they have planned for the service (and our fate) then.

PM me your contact details if you want, so we can keep each other informed if either of us hear anything from them. That way, we'll know to give them a call if for example one of us is offered a course start date.

Keep everything crossed mate, it ain't over 'til the rotund lady sings. Hopefully we'll meet on the first available course

 

[6opher]

Hello,

Yes, that lone candidate was me. Did you get the email from them stating they have extended our time in the talent pool from 2 years to 3? This is due to the fact we have been unfortunately disadvantaged due to the franchise bidding process.

Going by the info available, we should know our fate come August this year when the new franchisee takes over the operation, if not sooner. Next month (Mar 18) they will be announcing who the new operating company is and maybe we'll hear of what they have planned for the service (and our fate) then.

PM me your contact details if you want, so we can keep each other informed if either of us hear anything from them. That way, we'll know to give them a call if for example one of us is offered a course start date.

Keep everything crossed mate, it ain't over 'til the rotund lady sings. Hopefully we'll meet on the first available course

I'm unable to PM you. Maybe because I haven't completed enough posts? (The one above was my first one on this site)
Yes I had the same email about extending our time in the pool. It's just a waiting game and hopefully will be worth the wait. If you are able to PM me with your details then I'll send you an email back so you know who I am and then we can do as you suggested.

 

[Scott Thomas]

Hello everyone.
Has anyone had any update regarding the Trainee Driver talent pool? I am one of the 11 currently waiting

 

[Budgie]

Hello everyone.
Has anyone had any update regarding the Trainee Driver talent pool? I am one of the 11 currently waiting

Hi Scott,

I believe there are 13 of us waiting in total but that's by the by.

I contacted the recruitment team a few days ago to ask them if there were any updates following the new franchise takeover. Their response was; not yet but these are exciting times. They ended their response email with "we look forward to speaking with you soon" or words to that effect.

So you could read into that as they're expecting to be contacting us at some stage soon. But then again, it could be just a throw away phrase. Who knows?

There are big plans with 600 new jobs about to be created. Some of those I should think will be driver jobs, with the additional routes and frequency of trains being planned.

PM me your contact details, I'll keep you up to date with whatever I hear from my mate who's already a driver and what I get via another reliable guy who's in the talent pool like us.

Stay positive butt, it will happen for us

 

[Scott Thomas]

Hi Budgie
I currently work for ATW as a guard so just interested to hear what others have been told.
Do you know your position in this list? I was told the other day that I am currently 11th.

 

[Budgie]

Hi Budgie
I currently work for ATW as a guard so just interested to hear what others have been told.
Do you know your position in this list? I was told the other day that I am currently 11th.

Hi Scott,

You can pass on info to me instead then

I'm guessing I'm 13th as I was the last one to go through the assessment day. I attended it on my own, after all the rest, if that's how it works.

 

[6opher]

Hi Budgie
I currently work for ATW as a guard so just interested to hear what others have been told.
Do you know your position in this list? I was told the other day that I am currently 11th.

Hi Scotty T (that's what our friend in common called you, amongst other things )
Thought it was your name he mentioned at circuits the other night so checked with him last night to confirm. I believe he told you what I heard back from HR the other week. It echoes what Budgie said above so fingers crossed. Feel free to get my number off him (won't mention his name on here but hopefully you know who I'm on about) if you want to message direct as I can't PM on here yet as haven't posted enough
Or @Budgie can pass it on to you if you did PM each other as he already has it.

 

[Croughton]

Hi Budgie
I currently work for ATW as a guard so just interested to hear what others have been told.
Do you know your position in this list? I was told the other day that I am currently 11th.

Haia Scott, Im new to posting on the forum, been keeping an eye on here for a while though. From reading posts I cant get my head around how talent pools work? You mentioned your 11th. What does that mean?
Do no.1 - 10 get an offer before you?
Are you no.11 just for 1 station?
Reading Budgies post, he says he's no.13. Would that be the same station on the whole of ATW?

 

[SMR]

Haia Scott, Im new to posting on the forum, been keeping an eye on here for a while though. From reading posts I cant get my head around how talent pools work? You mentioned your 11th. What does that mean?
Do no.1 - 10 get an offer before you?
Are you no.11 just for 1 station?
Reading Budgies post, he says he's no.13. Would that be the same station on the whole of ATW?

I don't claim to have any inside information but common sense would suggest talent pools are station specific.
In my mind, if someone is 11th for Chester then they would be the 11th person asked for trainee driver roles in Chester.
I could be wrong but can't see it working any other way.

 

[Joshp17]

Hi guys, I have recently applied for TFW trainee driver position, fingers crossed.

Just wondered have you guys been offered any courses or are you guys still in the talent pool?

 

[Stevor]

Also interested in the replies to this one, as I too have just applied.

 

[Joshp17]

Also interested in the replies to this one, as I too have just applied.

Have you had any response from TFW regarding your application?

 

[Sidney Robin]

Hi, first time posting here!
I applied for trainee driver role TFW at Cardiff in February 2019. Apart from initial email acknowledging my application, I've heard nothing. My application is still showing as 'submitted'. I'm assuming my application was unsuccessful as it has been so long since applying and interviews have taken place, but was wondering if anyone received an email saying they were unsuccessful?
Would appreciated any info!
Thanks!

 

[Bikkushii]

Hey. I am currently in the pool for conductor but I also applied for a driver and got an email telling me I was unsuccessful in passing the initial sift and told me where I could improve.
So I assume they must send out emails to all unsuccessful applicants.