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Transport for Wales - Trainee Train Drivers
- Thread starter L33mcc
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RailUK Forums
The Training Centre at Chester Station
camer0n0wen
New Member
Have you had any updates on your medical for the 3rd? Is it still going ahead?
YouCantSpotMe
New Member
I'm due to start on 24th April in Cardiff with a view to be on the Valley Lines.
I applied at the end of August/start September 2022 and am appreciative of the fact I'm starting so soon after.
For the assessments, I replied to each email within five minutes but for both I didn't receive a place until the second set of dates came through. So I don't feel like it was too tough to get a spot. It was about a month and a half between both.
In terms of the tests themselves, with the written assessments you need to balance accuracy and speed. Some of the tests you will only complete if you're guessing or superhuman, but the key is what you do is correct. So my suggestion would be err more towards accuracy over speed. With the digital tests there is no real trick, it's just about keeping focus. However if you encounter any issues or questions, make sure immediate raise it or ask. We had one guy in our group who had issues with the square screen and ultimately he was dropped before the MMI because he didn't raise it until halfway through the assessment.
The MMI came straight after the digital assessment and I found it to be more like a quickfire quiz than an actual interview. It felt like I was being asked the next question before I had even finished an answer. I came out of it feeling somewhat dejected because it felt like it hadn't gone well but I think that's more to do with the way the interview is conducted. There's no rapport building, it's just question answer, question answer and all fairly quickly. However, no matter how bad you think it goes, I'm proof that how you feel about it has no bearing on the outcome.
The management interview felt just like a standard interview. The two managers I had were great at making me feel relaxed and at ease and I'd go as far as to say it was an enjoyable experience. I come from a safety background so I focussed heavily on that for the interview and ultimately it was probably the reason I was successful.
I received an offer about six weeks after the interview but my notice period for my current job was a month with room to be less if required so I'm thinking that may have played a part. They offered me Valley Lines for my start date at the beginning this post, with Cardiff mainline being July, so not being fussed either way I took the earlier start date. However, they did say that there is every chance that I may still end up on mainline.
The onboarding process was a little bit of work with emails coming from all directions. It's really important that if you're not great at organisation that you're flagging your emails and keeping track of what you've completed and what you haven't. I recently had an email to say that everything I sent back, DBS and background checks have all cleared, although I did send a chasing email so not sure if this is standard protocol.
I'm really looking forward to getting started, it's a big change for me after working in the same place for many years...the only place I've ever worked. Hopefully what I've written can help someone, even if it just takes the edge off.
I applied at the end of August/start September 2022 and am appreciative of the fact I'm starting so soon after.
For the assessments, I replied to each email within five minutes but for both I didn't receive a place until the second set of dates came through. So I don't feel like it was too tough to get a spot. It was about a month and a half between both.
In terms of the tests themselves, with the written assessments you need to balance accuracy and speed. Some of the tests you will only complete if you're guessing or superhuman, but the key is what you do is correct. So my suggestion would be err more towards accuracy over speed. With the digital tests there is no real trick, it's just about keeping focus. However if you encounter any issues or questions, make sure immediate raise it or ask. We had one guy in our group who had issues with the square screen and ultimately he was dropped before the MMI because he didn't raise it until halfway through the assessment.
The MMI came straight after the digital assessment and I found it to be more like a quickfire quiz than an actual interview. It felt like I was being asked the next question before I had even finished an answer. I came out of it feeling somewhat dejected because it felt like it hadn't gone well but I think that's more to do with the way the interview is conducted. There's no rapport building, it's just question answer, question answer and all fairly quickly. However, no matter how bad you think it goes, I'm proof that how you feel about it has no bearing on the outcome.
The management interview felt just like a standard interview. The two managers I had were great at making me feel relaxed and at ease and I'd go as far as to say it was an enjoyable experience. I come from a safety background so I focussed heavily on that for the interview and ultimately it was probably the reason I was successful.
I received an offer about six weeks after the interview but my notice period for my current job was a month with room to be less if required so I'm thinking that may have played a part. They offered me Valley Lines for my start date at the beginning this post, with Cardiff mainline being July, so not being fussed either way I took the earlier start date. However, they did say that there is every chance that I may still end up on mainline.
The onboarding process was a little bit of work with emails coming from all directions. It's really important that if you're not great at organisation that you're flagging your emails and keeping track of what you've completed and what you haven't. I recently had an email to say that everything I sent back, DBS and background checks have all cleared, although I did send a chasing email so not sure if this is standard protocol.
I'm really looking forward to getting started, it's a big change for me after working in the same place for many years...the only place I've ever worked. Hopefully what I've written can help someone, even if it just takes the edge off.
mpfol
Member
Just curious as to when you had your dmi
the waiting part for the course date is a killer!kallyvintage
Member
I have my stag do in June, and my wedding at the end of August. I hadnt mentioned it to recruitment because, well, I could have failed the process at any time and those dates would have been an irrelevance anyway. But as my DMI is tomorrow, things are starting to become very real.
The dates are understandably not able to be moved, so if I was succesful at DMI I guess they would get in the way of training timescales - Im pretty certain that I cant take a few days off here and there and catch up with any training in my own time.
Might mean I'll be in the talent pool until September onwards?
The dates are understandably not able to be moved, so if I was succesful at DMI I guess they would get in the way of training timescales - Im pretty certain that I cant take a few days off here and there and catch up with any training in my own time.
Might mean I'll be in the talent pool until September onwards?
JackJones81
Member
That’s an interesting point about the grey square test. I failed mine and up until the last couple of minutes I was reacting straight away to the change in colour with no false hits of the button…BUT…..the last few minutes the square seemed to have competent changed. I can’t remember what exactly happened now as it was some time ago but if I remember correctly I’m sure it was just constantly flashing black, it just seemed to have completely changed the way it had been for the previous 27 mins or so. Anyway I’m kind of sorry I didn’t raise the issue at the time, I was kind of hoping I had passed it regardless but was gutted when told I hadn’t by which point (understandably) it’s too late to say anything.
Morale of the story…any issues flag them up there and then so that they can hopefully be rectified.
Morale of the story…any issues flag them up there and then so that they can hopefully be rectified.
Wincey123
Member
My medical was cancelled last minute. Rearranged for 11th.
kallyvintage
Member
DMI done today.
As always, you never think you have done enough on these kind of things so I cant even imagine to say how well I did or didnt do. I believe I did well at some questions, less well at others. It is what it is now.
All I will say is that I got home, started reading a book and not long after that I fell asleep, I was knackered, because I have been running at the redline the past few days.
Best of luck to anyone else getting this far, the first thing the DM's said to me is how much of an achievement it is, and thats right.
As always, you never think you have done enough on these kind of things so I cant even imagine to say how well I did or didnt do. I believe I did well at some questions, less well at others. It is what it is now.
All I will say is that I got home, started reading a book and not long after that I fell asleep, I was knackered, because I have been running at the redline the past few days.
Best of luck to anyone else getting this far, the first thing the DM's said to me is how much of an achievement it is, and thats right.
Best of luck to you. Hopefully you’ll find out by the end of the week.
kallyvintage
Member
Thank you.
AttemptTrainee
New Member
Good evening all,
I’ve been successful in the sift for TFW trainee driver and have my assessment centre on Thursday. I’ve read some of the topics are split over 2x areas surrounding:-
1st paper being - group bourbon, tones and symbols, rules and procedures and written communications.
2nd test is computer - MMI interview, coordination test, vigilance test, concentration test.
I’ve done research already, but would always help with refreshing that information to help in any way!
Could anyone provide more recent experiences from end of last year / early this year?
Thanks
I’ve been successful in the sift for TFW trainee driver and have my assessment centre on Thursday. I’ve read some of the topics are split over 2x areas surrounding:-
1st paper being - group bourbon, tones and symbols, rules and procedures and written communications.
2nd test is computer - MMI interview, coordination test, vigilance test, concentration test.
I’ve done research already, but would always help with refreshing that information to help in any way!
Could anyone provide more recent experiences from end of last year / early this year?
Thanks
Velocity93
Member
Sat in Chester station, about to do my medical.
Arghhhh the nerves!!!!
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Everything went good, nothing to worry about he said.
Albeit I did the hearing test twice ha….
So fingers crossed, hear something soon
Arghhhh the nerves!!!!
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Everything went good, nothing to worry about he said.
Albeit I did the hearing test twice ha….
So fingers crossed, hear something soon
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YouCantSpotMe
New Member
14th February. When I had my interview they did mention that because I only had a month's notice(with the potential for less), that if I was successful, it would put me in a good place for a course space because most successful candidates require three months notice.Just curious as to when you had your dmi
I've just had an invite for DMI, a month and a half after having my PC results.
kallyvintage
Member
Passed the DMI
Holy Mackerel
Thanks so much to everyone for the support and advice. Sat in the talent pool now, just the formality of the medical and a start date!!!!
Holy Mackerel
Thanks so much to everyone for the support and advice. Sat in the talent pool now, just the formality of the medical and a start date!!!!
IntercityJacob
Member
Well done pal.... looking back at your posts I think I did my computer assessment with you in Cardiff [We went on a mission to locate the bathroom]. I'm awaiting my DMI result now
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kallyvintage
Member
Yes, that was me.. glad to see you passed MMI. When did you take your DMI?
You won't be in it long if you are for Cardiff.
Wicked, didn't take long to find out. Well done!
kallyvintage
Member
Cheers
I hope they'll have some training courses starting Sept as thats when its likely I can start based on a 4 month training centre... Fingers crossed, but the speed they have been going recently it seems like they are keen to get people in and training!
Jaylfc147
Member
Amazing news, congratulations!
Velocity93
Member
What’s the most up to date salaries?
31,685 training. 58038 qualified. Once you pass out you get 90% of that
Velocity93
Member
Oooo okay thanks!
Getting my contracts and checks sorted Monday onwards!
5 weeks till start date ☺️
Can I clarify what you mean by pass out? As in do you get 90% of the 58,038 after you finish the classroom based section of training or when you complete the part where you drive with an instructor?
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Has anyone been told they have been shortlisted for the trainee driver jobs at Cardiff from the last application window? 13/03/23 the advert closed
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That is exciting… I just did my computer tests and MMI a few days ago.
Where are you going to be based from?
Its likely to change again, as there's a pay rise negotiation going on.
You do classroom and then all your driving with an instructor. Once you've done your 265 hours and ticked off all the bits you need, you do a passout week with manager. Rules, routes etc. Once they pass you and you are on your own you get 90% of that 58k