Transport for Wales - Conductor Recruitment and Discussion

[jakem]

Hi mate,

Some of the main ones I remember are:

-Tell me about a time in your current/previous employment when you’ve had to follow a strict set of rules and procedures?

-Can you tell me about a time you spotted a colleague doing something potentially dangerous and how did you deal with it?

-Can you tell me how you’d deal with a difficult situation on board the train?
And how would you keep the control
office informed with potential potential distractions arising from passengers or the situation?

From what I’ve gathered they want you to respond calmly and that you’ll follow all procedures set out in your training to ensure the safety and comfort of everybody etc.

Having variety of potential questions give you the best chance at the final interview, and obviously your questions could be completely different to mine.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

Hi mate had my assessment day on 3rd and found out today I passed and am in the talent pool! I was so nervous but took all your messages on board and researched everything you said! Just wanted to come back on here and say a massive thank you! You are an absolute legend and I appreciate you!!!

 

[JRB123]

Hi mate had my assessment day on 3rd and found out today I passed and am in the talent pool! I was so nervous but took all your messages on board and researched everything you said! Just wanted to come back on here and say a massive thank you! You are an absolute legend and I appreciate you!!!

No problem at all mate!

I learnt a fair bit through this forum so giving a bit back!

Congratulations on making the talent pool! Time for us all to wait now!

 

[D1015]

Has anyone got their assessment day cancelled? Any idea of when the next one will be?

Hi there,
Yes I applied for one of the recent Talent Pool roles and got an email today saying that my assessment day due October had been cancelled. Gutted. Would anyone who might be able to provide inside information be able to enlighten us as to what's happened and what the prospects are? Having read this thread and having seen the recent posts there have been at least two maybe more assessment days and I wonder if they have now gotten enough would be conductors in the talent pools ready?

 

[lzz2224]

Hi there,
Yes I applied for one of the recent Talent Pool roles and got an email today saying that my assessment day due October had been cancelled. Gutted. Would anyone who might be able to provide inside information be able to enlighten us as to what's happened and what the prospects are? Having read this thread and having seen the recent posts there have been at least two maybe more assessment days and I wonder if they have now gotten enough would be conductors in the talent pools ready?

I emailed HR to confirm an estimated date for the rescheduled assessment, because i had holiday booked after the original one. She said it would be likely to be the end of 2024 or early 2025. I just hope they’re still recruiting

 

[D1015]

I emailed HR to confirm an estimated date for the rescheduled assessment, because i had holiday booked after the original one. She said it would be likely to be the end of 2024 or early 2025. I just hope they’re still recruiting

Thank you for that answer. I am down as I booked annual leave to cover the assessment days - three days as it was on the third day of what was a set of night shifts so I booked all three off to ensure my wits would be about me. Nevermind. I'll unbook them and save them for a hopeful reset date.
My concern is the same - still recruiting? I have a fairly good understanding as to why this recruitment has taken place, with roster changes and timetable increases due but simply hope that there will be potential room for us cancelled interviewees. Chin up I suppose.

 

[Railway1642]

Thank you for that answer. I am down as I booked annual leave to cover the assessment days - three days as it was on the third day of what was a set of night shifts so I booked all three off to ensure my wits would be about me. Nevermind. I'll unbook them and save them for a hopeful reset date.
My concern is the same - still recruiting? I have a fairly good understanding as to why this recruitment has taken place, with roster changes and timetable increases due but simply hope that there will be potential room for us cancelled interviewees. Chin up I suppose.

Do we know if the timetable is increasing across most of the network or will this timetable increase only for certain depots?

Many thanks

 

[craigybagel]

Do we know if the timetable is increasing across most of the network or will this timetable increase only for certain depots?

Many thanks

On the Valleys, yes. Most of the improvements planned for the rest of the network have been postponed however.

 

[jah_147]

I emailed HR to confirm an estimated date for the rescheduled assessment, because i had holiday booked after the original one. She said it would be likely to be the end of 2024 or early 2025. I just hope they’re still recruiting

I was due to have my assessment day on 17/09, was this the same one as yourself? I was also curious as to why it was cancelled and slightly worried they had now reached enough in the talent pool. I am hopeful it’s rescheduled soon.

 

[D1015]

On the Valleys, yes. Most of the improvements planned for the rest of the network have been postponed however.

Thank you for this clarification.

 

[AL86]

Does anyone know when the next intake for Cardiff Mainline or valleys line will be in 2025? I understand all the intakes for this year have already been put in place.

 

[SIMMY1012]

Does anyone know when the next intake for Cardiff Mainline or valleys line will be in 2025? I understand all the intakes for this year have already been put in place.

Hi, do you mean starting courses or another recruitment drive?

 

[AL86]

Hi, do you mean starting courses or another recruitment drive?

Sorry courses

 

[SIMMY1012]

Sorry courses

How do you know all courses have been allocated for the remainder of 2024? I’m patiently waiting in the pool for Cardiff Valleys.

 

[lzz2224]

I was due to have my assessment day on 17/09, was this the same one as yourself? I was also curious as to why it was cancelled and slightly worried they had now reached enough in the talent pool. I am hopeful it’s rescheduled soon.

Same, 17/09 cancelled

 

[Adlee Turner]

How do you know all courses have been allocated for the remainder of 2024? I’m patiently waiting in the pool for Cardiff Valleys.

I know the assessment day I went to, they told us the courses for the valley lines were a lot quicker compared the mainline ones. I was offered onto a course for Rhymney for the end of March but couldn’t go for it as I had a holiday pre booked for later that year. But thankfully they got back to me a month or two ago with my medical and contract and had a start date for me which is this Monday for Rhymney so hopefully you should hear something soon about yours

 

[craigybagel]

I know the assessment day I went to, they told us the courses for the valley lines were a lot quicker compared the mainline ones.

Sort of. The classroom training part of the course is the same for mainline and valleys, and you may find guards for both on the same course. It's what comes after that takes longer.

You go back to your depot afterwards to learn the routes and traction that is specific to it. Obviously the Valleys network is a lot more compact, so this part of training is a lot smaller than on the mainline - as is traction training.

 

[jah_147]

I know the assessment day I went to, they told us the courses for the valley lines were a lot quicker compared the mainline ones. I was offered onto a course for Rhymney for the end of March but couldn’t go for it as I had a holiday pre booked for later that year. But thankfully they got back to me a month or two ago with my medical and contract and had a start date for me which is this Monday for Rhymney so hopefully you should hear something soon about

I know the assessment day I went to, they told us the courses for the valley lines were a lot quicker compared the mainline ones. I was offered onto a course for Rhymney for the end of March but couldn’t go for it as I had a holiday pre booked for later that year. But thankfully they got back to me a month or two ago with my medical and contract and had a start date for me which is this Monday for Rhymney so hopefully you should hear something soon about yours

Out of curiosity do you know if on the Assessment days they are filling one position or is it a case of if everyone performs well they will all have a chance of making the talent pool?

 

[Adlee Turner]

Out of curiosity do you know if on the Assessment days they are filling one position or is it a case of if everyone performs well they will all have a chance of making the talent pool?

I’m not sure, I think it all depends on how well the candidates perform on the day whether it be only 1 person does well or everyone does well

 

[D1015]

It's a talent pool so I think there'll be a set benchmark and if you pass it, they'll put you in the pool. For Valleys I suspect although it may say Cardiff, knowing that many people commute from north of Cardiff, they may use it to fill other nearby depots such as Treherbet and Rhymney? Pure speculation. Only hoping those of us who had October days booked still get a fair chance.

 

[jah_147]

It's a talent pool so I think there'll be a set benchmark and if you pass it, they'll put you in the pool. For Valleys I suspect although it may say Cardiff, knowing that many people commute from north of Cardiff, they may use it to fill other nearby depots such as Treherbet and Rhymney? Pure speculation. Only hoping those of us who had October days booked still get a fair chance.

Yeah that would make sense, I am hopeful that’s the case at least. Fingers crossed we get it rearranged soon and can find out either way!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Sep 2024 ==

I’m not sure, I think it all depends on how well the candidates perform on the day whether it be only 1 person does well or everyone does well

Thanks for the reply! Very best of luck with your training and congratulations on getting the position. Hope all goes well.

 

[D1015]

I did email Recruitment a few days ago, and was told that no dates had been considered yet. We must calmly await news and hope.

 

[Zheevy]

Hey everyone, first post here. I just had my initial application accepted and have been asked to carry out a SCAAT online assessment. Does anyone have any good links to practice for this? I have used the free OPC sample but that is only short and once its been completed once it can't really be done again. Thanks.

 

[jah_147]

Hey everyone, first post here. I just had my initial application accepted and have been asked to carry out a SCAAT online assessment. Does anyone have any good links to practice for this? I have used the free OPC sample but that is only short and once its been completed once it can't really be done again. Thanks.

Congratulations on making the testing! I’m probably not the best to advise on other resources, similar to yourself I used the free OPC sample and from that went straight into the test itself. However having recently done this I would suggest taking the test at a time you feel your concentration levels are highest and try and have minimal distractions during the test. You will be focusing a lot and the little symbols do start to play mind tricks with you, but try remain calm, take your time (ish) and focus on accuracy over feeling the need to speed through each page. I Hope this helps in some way and best of luck with your application.

 

[Zheevy]

Congratulations on making the testing! I’m probably not the best to advise on other resources, similar to yourself I used the free OPC sample and from that went straight into the test itself. However having recently done this I would suggest taking the test at a time you feel your concentration levels are highest and try and have minimal distractions during the test. You will be focusing a lot and the little symbols do start to play mind tricks with you, but try remain calm, take your time (ish) and focus on accuracy over feeling the need to speed through each page. I Hope this helps in some way and best of luck with your application.

Thank you! And congratulations to you as well. I plan on spending a few days practicing just incase and I've just found and purchased the full practice guide on the OPC site. Thank you for the advice! Good luck with the rest of your application.

 

[CreswellSig]

Does anyone know if there is a Training Course booked for October 2024 and the start date, please?

 

[user1313131]

Thank you so much!

Do they ask questions in interview such as what do you know about TFW? Im doing my research but just wanted to know if I need to know specific routes and information about TFW as a company for interview?

I will revise my application answers and get a list of answers in my head for competency based questions.

Well done on passing this stage I am super nervous! I have my assessment day on 3rd Sept.

(I may come back with more questions soon haha)

Thank you so much!

Do they ask question

in interview such as what do you know about TFW? Im doing my research but just wanted to know if I need to know specific routes and information about TFW as a company for interview?

I will revise my application answers and get a list of answers in my head for competency based questions.

Well done on passing this stage I am super nervous! I have my assessment day on 3rd Sept.

(I may come back with more questions soon haha)

Thank you so much!

Do they ask questions in interview such as what do you know about TFW? Im doing my research but just wanted to know if I need to know specific routes and information about TFW as a company for interview?

I will revise my application answers and get a list of answers in my head for competency based questions.

Well done on passing this stage I am super nervous! I have my assessment day on 3rd Sept.

(I may come back with more questions soon haha)

Good luck tomorrow. Let us know how it goes. I’d be interested to know how the day is structured etc. I’ve still got to pass my TCT but good to hear what could be next.

 

[Saxon79]

Does anyone know if there is a Training Course booked for October 2024 and the start date, please?

28th October at Chester

 

[D1015]

Has anyone heard anything since mid Sept regards the postponed interviews for South Wales? Thank you

 

[user1313131]

Has anyone heard anything since mid Sept regards the postponed interviews for South Wales? Thank you

Last email I got was the 7th October telling me I was successful at all stages of the online training and would be informed of next steps in due course. (TFW) Sounds like I might have completed the online testing after you though. You heard any more?

 

[jah_147]

Last email I got was the 7th October telling me I was successful at all stages of the online training and would be informed of next steps in due course. (TFW) Sounds like I might have completed the online testing after you though. You heard any more?

Has anyone heard anything since mid Sept regards the postponed interviews for South Wales? Thank you

I followed up with recruitment for an update on this, they advised a date will now be keyed in the new year. My original assessment day was 17/09 so I suspect any that were cancelled around this date will be into 2025.