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Transport for Wales - Trainee Train Drivers

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Boozle78

Member
Joined
23 Jul 2020
Messages
38
Location
Wales
I’ve just checked my junk mail and had an email around 5pm saying I’ve been shortlisted in Chester! Says they will be in touch about assessments. Stressed already :lol:
 

RyanC87

Member
Joined
26 Jul 2022
Messages
185
Location
Holyhead
I’ve just checked my junk mail and had an email around 5pm saying I’ve been shortlisted in Chester! Says they will be in touch about assessments. Stressed already :lol:
In my opinion you have got through the hardest bit, as it's really out of your hands the application. You have to hope it's not binned off.

Now you can read through this forum with all the hints and tips and it's all in your hands. Don't stress though, they are brilliant at helping on the day.

Keep doing the bourdon test, someone has done the dials test on here and it's pretty identical and you'll find everything you need to know on here
 

Boozle78

Member
Joined
23 Jul 2020
Messages
38
Location
Wales
In my opinion you have got through the hardest bit, as it's really out of your hands the application. You have to hope it's not binned off.

Now you can read through this forum with all the hints and tips and it's all in your hands. Don't stress though, they are brilliant at helping on the day.

Keep doing the bourdon test, someone has done the dials test on here and it's pretty identical and you'll find everything you need to know on here
Thank you, will start reading up and fast just in case the assessment’s are soon. Never in a million years did I think I would get shortlisted so been a bit blasé until half an hour ago! I read a lot last year when I applied but didn’t get past the application so will need to brush up.
 

RyanC87

Member
Joined
26 Jul 2022
Messages
185
Location
Holyhead
Thank you, will start reading up and fast just in case the assessment’s are soon. Never in a million years did I think I would get shortlisted so been a bit blasé until half an hour ago! I read a lot last year when I applied but didn’t get past the application so will need to brush up.

My mate has been told the 5th October for his. So gives you a week atleast.

Well done mate, spend a few hours making notes from the details on here and you'll be fine
 

Boozle78

Member
Joined
23 Jul 2020
Messages
38
Location
Wales
My mate has been told the 5th October for his. So gives you a week atleast.

Well done mate, spend a few hours making notes from the details on here and you'll be fine
Going to be a busy week
Thank you, I’m getting on it now!
 

Kenners

Member
Joined
15 Oct 2021
Messages
33
Location
Ormskirk
I’ve just checked my junk mail and had an email around 5pm saying I’ve been shortlisted in Chester! Says they will be in touch about assessments. Stressed already :lol:
I’ve just checked my junk mail and had an email around 5pm saying I’ve been shortlisted in Chester! Says they will be in touch about assessments. Stressed already :lol:
Hi, really good news you have been shortlisted, can I ask what date you submitted your application , just trying to work out if they may do it in date order. Thanks
 

Boozle78

Member
Joined
23 Jul 2020
Messages
38
Location
Wales
Hi, really good news you have been shortlisted, can I ask what date you submitted your application , just trying to work out if they may do it in date order. Thanks
Sorry thought I replied but can’t see it now! I applied Tuesday 20th.
 

WalnutT

New Member
Joined
27 Sep 2022
Messages
2
Location
Wales
Hello all.
Sorry if this has been asked before, I'm trying to read as much as I can.

What is the current process for new driver applications (when they go live) is it just a CV or a set of questions you can prepare beforehand?
Thanks
 

Diedinium

Member
Joined
31 Oct 2021
Messages
185
Location
Shropshire
Hello all.
Sorry if this has been asked before, I'm trying to read as much as I can.

What is the current process for new driver applications (when they go live) is it just a CV or a set of questions you can prepare beforehand?
Thanks
It's normal stuff, like filling in employment details, education etc - but the application also includes writing 6 up to 200-500 word responses to questions though.

No option to upload a CV.
 

Kenners

Member
Joined
15 Oct 2021
Messages
33
Location
Ormskirk
Hi all,
Is there anyone who applied to tfw as trainee train driver , unfortunately not made it passed shortlisting? Have you been notified by email ? Thanks
 

SCDR_WMR

Established Member
Joined
17 Dec 2017
Messages
2,616
Location
Crewe
My mate has been told the 5th October for his. So gives you a week atleast.

Well done mate, spend a few hours making notes from the details on here and you'll be fine
Jeez that's a quick turnaround! Nice of them to pick an ASLEF strike day

I've had a response for Crewe Depot today saying through to paper assessments, I've dropped them an email back as I have done testing already for another TOC. Do they do any different tests other than the usual?
 

Katwag1

Member
Joined
9 Mar 2021
Messages
37
Location
Manchester
Jeez that's a quick turnaround! Nice of them to pick an ASLEF strike day

I've had a response for Crewe Depot today saying through to paper assessments, I've dropped them an email back as I have done testing already for another TOC. Do they do any different tests other than the usual?
Hi. Which date did you apply? I’m waiting on Crewe and applied on 21st
 

RyanC87

Member
Joined
26 Jul 2022
Messages
185
Location
Holyhead
Jeez that's a quick turnaround! Nice of them to pick an ASLEF strike day

I've had a response for Crewe Depot today saying through to paper assessments, I've dropped them an email back as I have done testing already for another TOC. Do they do any different tests other than the usual?
Just the usual ones.

There's some who say it's enhanced at TFW, however this doesn't seem go be confirmed. So as long as your results are enough you should be able to skip them hopefully
 

SCDR_WMR

Established Member
Joined
17 Dec 2017
Messages
2,616
Location
Crewe
Just the usual ones.

There's some who say it's enhanced at TFW, however this doesn't seem go be confirmed. So as long as your results are enough you should be able to skip them hopefully
Yeah I'm waiting for a response to confirm, I met enhanced for all tests so fingers crossed I can just skip that stage!
 

Diedinium

Member
Joined
31 Oct 2021
Messages
185
Location
Shropshire
Jeez that's a quick turnaround! Nice of them to pick an ASLEF strike day

I've had a response for Crewe Depot today saying through to paper assessments, I've dropped them an email back as I have done testing already for another TOC. Do they do any different tests other than the usual?
I'm also off to assessment during that week, but on the 6th (well, once they get back to confirm it at least, fingers crossed).

Ironic about the train strikes, really feels like things are conspiring against us... wish they had picked literally any other week.

Does anyone have insights into what the "Paper assessments" involve? I'm assuming there will be a Bourbon test and maybe a phonebook style test, but would really appreciate anyone who has done the assessment before and can mention what tests are involved?

The email states they're going to send a pack of some kind, so is the real advice to just practice whatever is in that test?
 

SCDR_WMR

Established Member
Joined
17 Dec 2017
Messages
2,616
Location
Crewe
I'm also off to assessment during that week, but on the 6th (well, once they get back to confirm it at least, fingers crossed).

Ironic about the train strikes, really feels like things are conspiring against us... wish they had picked literally any other week.

Does anyone have insights into what the "Paper assessments" involve? I'm assuming there will be a Bourbon test and maybe a phonebook style test, but would really appreciate anyone who has done the assessment before and can mention what tests are involved?

The email states they're going to send a pack of some kind, so is the real advice to just practice whatever is in that test?
Yeah, there are some guides on here I'd you search for driver testing/assessments. I found the pack WMR sent to cover everything really but the practice tests are there to show you a similar version so they do look very different even though the process is the same.

Do practice them, group bourdon is the one which can be practiced again and again to bring your skill level up whereas the others not so much. There are good hints and tips on here that will help.
 

Diedinium

Member
Joined
31 Oct 2021
Messages
185
Location
Shropshire
Yeah, there are some guides on here I'd you search for driver testing/assessments. I found the pack WMR sent to cover everything really but the practice tests are there to show you a similar version so they do look very different even though the process is the same.

Do practice them, group bourdon is the one which can be practiced again and again to bring your skill level up whereas the others not so much. There are good hints and tips on here that will help.
Fair enough, I'll make sure to practice the group bourbon a lot, have tried it a few times so far and it's surprisingly challenging to be both fast and accurate - on the day I'll aim for accuracy I'm guessing, hopefully they want to see accuracy over being fast and making a lot of mistakes lol

And yeah, hopefully the pack from TfW will contain good examples - I figure there's only so much I can really practice, I'll either be suitable or I won't be, simple as really.
 

JLyons

Member
Joined
27 Nov 2019
Messages
102
Location
Shrewsbury
Yeah I'm waiting for a response to confirm, I met enhanced for all tests so fingers crossed I can just skip that stage!

An Enhanced requirement is something that each individual TOC / FOC sets themselves meaning the pass mark to achieve enhanced can vary depending on the TOC / FOC. The only pass level that is universal is the RSSB industry standard pass mark.

I have heard in the past that TFW only require standard pass marks so fingers crossed that is the case!
 

SCDR_WMR

Established Member
Joined
17 Dec 2017
Messages
2,616
Location
Crewe
An Enhanced requirement is something that each individual TOC / FOC sets themselves meaning the pass mark to achieve enhanced can vary depending on the TOC / FOC. The only pass level that is universal is the RSSB industry standard pass mark.

I have heard in the past that TFW only require standard pass marks so fingers crossed that is the case!
They've just responded saying they are checking for me and will confirm, if it's standard then I won't have anything to worry about, but if it's higher than my current enhanced results then I'll obviously be happy to resit (grudgingly lol)
 

JLyons

Member
Joined
27 Nov 2019
Messages
102
Location
Shrewsbury
They've just responded saying they are checking for me and will confirm, if it's standard then I won't have anything to worry about, but if it's higher than my current enhanced results then I'll obviously be happy to resit (grudgingly lol)

That’s the last thing you want to be doing, I’m in a similar boat to you so hoping it’s just standard all round to make like easier! Still waiting to hear back either way for Crewe and I applied day before you so just hoping they are sifting them from top to bottom rather than bottom to top else looking grim for me!
 

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