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West Midlands Trains (inc. LNWR) - Trainee Driver - Recruitment Discussion

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tixy

Member
Joined
5 Sep 2014
Messages
108
I’ve applied for the one of the 50 Revenue & Security Manager posts. Had Assessment day 2 weeks ago (role play & Interview) was told HR are very slow at getting back to people. I’m still waiting for my outcome!
 

MJT

Member
Joined
3 Feb 2025
Messages
17
Location
West Midlands
I’ve applied for the one of the 50 Revenue & Security Manager posts. Had Assessment day 2 weeks ago (role play & Interview) was told HR are very slow at getting back to people. I’m still waiting for my outcome!
Yeah, I've heard that in general, TOCs are pretty slow when it comes to all things HR Admin related. Good luck, hope you hear something soon :)
 

tixy

Member
Joined
5 Sep 2014
Messages
108
That is what was mentioned on the selection day. They are massively expanding because as they say, too much revenue is walking off the network. Selection is 2x role play followed by a competency based interview.

They opened up applications again
 

Hrav1656

Member
Joined
26 Mar 2024
Messages
46
Location
west midlands
That is what was mentioned on the selection day. They are massively expanding because as they say, too much revenue is walking off the network. Selection is 2x role play followed by a competency based interview.

They opened up applications again
May I ask your background, those roles seem to suit someone from a police background, I have an army background but that was 20 years ago, I think I’d be wasting my time applying.
 

tixy

Member
Joined
5 Sep 2014
Messages
108
May I ask your background, those roles seem to suit someone from a police background, I have an army background but that was 20 years ago, I think I’d be wasting my time applying.
Court enforcement. I’m a veteran too. I had all sorts of people at the selection day from telecoms engineers to shop managers. I think you stand a chance.
 

baz962

Established Member
Joined
8 Jun 2017
Messages
3,664
May I ask your background, those roles seem to suit someone from a police background, I have an army background but that was 20 years ago, I think I’d be wasting my time applying.
They take people from all backgrounds and they would definitely rate ex military. The reason people talk about ex police is because of the ability to follow rules and procedures and ex military would absolutely fit . There are lots of ex police in the two companies I have driven for and a few ex military.
 

c8

Member
Joined
12 Jun 2022
Messages
20
Wolves. I have all my passes from previous TOC. Just need to do DFFT
Out of curiosity, how do you know you only need to do DFFT and your previous passes are acceptable? Have OPC confirmed this?
 

TR68

Member
Joined
15 Feb 2025
Messages
16
Location
Birmingham
Ok probably should clarify.

I have passed previous tests to enhanced standards (Avanti being one with CBI) but then I knocked out my CBI to do an MMI with another TOC and passed to their standards and also the DMI.

Neither previous TOCs required DFFT which is why I know for 100% I need to do it.

I don’t know for 100% that all my other stage 1 tests meet WMR ‘enhanced standards’. I’d like to think they do.

If I get there and they don’t then I won’t be resitting as I don’t want to risk current position with the other TOC

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Out of curiosity, how do you know you only need to do DFFT and your previous passes are acceptable? Have OPC confirmed this?
Ok probably should clarify.

I have passed previous tests to enhanced standards (Avanti being one with CBI) but then I knocked out my CBI to do an MMI with another TOC and passed to their standards and also the DMI.

Neither previous TOCs required DFFT which is why I know for 100% I need to do it.

I don’t know for 100% that all my other stage 1 tests meet WMR ‘enhanced standards’. I’d like to think they do.

If I get there and they don’t then I won’t be resitting as I don’t want to risk current position with the other TOC
 

jmd250lc

New Member
Joined
15 Feb 2025
Messages
2
Location
Stafford
New here, I've just signed up to the forum. Absolutely gutted I received an email...


Thank you for submitting your online application for the Trainee Train Driver position with West Midlands Railway.
After reviewing your online tests, we regret to inform you that you didn’t meet the standard set out by WMR and we are unable to progress your application further at this time.
Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual feedback during this stage of the recruitment process.
Your application will remain valid for up 12 months, which means you will not be able to reapply for the Trainee Train Driver role within this period. However, you are welcome to apply for other positions within West Midlands Railway during these 12 months.
We appreciate your interest in WMR and thank you for participating in the recruitment process. We are sorry that you were not successful on this occasion.

I thought it was 6 months not 12 months to reapply?
I wish I knew what i had failed on or how much by etc. Why can't I get feedback?

This was the first job I'd ever applied for so I really value the feedback. (I have been employed by the same company I joined after leaving school, I've not sat unemployed as it sounds)

I really am gutted, I don't know what else to say or think.
 

c8

Member
Joined
12 Jun 2022
Messages
20
Ok probably should clarify.

I have passed previous tests to enhanced standards (Avanti being one with CBI) but then I knocked out my CBI to do an MMI with another TOC and passed to their standards and also the DMI.

Neither previous TOCs required DFFT which is why I know for 100% I need to do it.

I don’t know for 100% that all my other stage 1 tests meet WMR ‘enhanced standards’. I’d like to think they do.

If I get there and they don’t then I won’t be resitting as I don’t want to risk current position with the other TOC

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==


Ok probably should clarify.

I have passed previous tests to enhanced standards (Avanti being one with CBI) but then I knocked out my CBI to do an MMI with another TOC and passed to their standards and also the DMI.

Neither previous TOCs required DFFT which is why I know for 100% I need to do it.

I don’t know for 100% that all my other stage 1 tests meet WMR ‘enhanced standards’. I’d like to think they do.

If I get there and they don’t then I won’t be resitting as I don’t want to risk current position with the other TOC
Makes sense, thanks for the reply. Not sure why WMT / OPC doesn’t tell you until the day and potentially save you a wasted journey if you’re not willing to resit any (I understand why you wouldn’t want to!)
 

TR68

Member
Joined
15 Feb 2025
Messages
16
Location
Birmingham
Makes sense, thanks for the reply. Not sure why WMT / OPC doesn’t tell you until the day and potentially save you a wasted journey if you’re not willing to resit any (I understand why you wouldn’t want to!
 

theunassuming

Member
Joined
10 Feb 2025
Messages
7
Location
Birmingham
New here, I've just signed up to the forum. Absolutely gutted I received an email...


Thank you for submitting your online application for the Trainee Train Driver position with West Midlands Railway.
After reviewing your online tests, we regret to inform you that you didn’t meet the standard set out by WMR and we are unable to progress your application further at this time.
Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual feedback during this stage of the recruitment process.
Your application will remain valid for up 12 months, which means you will not be able to reapply for the Trainee Train Driver role within this period. However, you are welcome to apply for other positions within West Midlands Railway during these 12 months.
We appreciate your interest in WMR and thank you for participating in the recruitment process. We are sorry that you were not successful on this occasion.

I thought it was 6 months not 12 months to reapply?
I wish I knew what i had failed on or how much by etc. Why can't I get feedback?

This was the first job I'd ever applied for so I really value the feedback. (I have been employed by the same company I joined after leaving school, I've not sat unemployed as it sounds)

I really am gutted, I don't know what else to say or think.
Sorry to hear this. When did you submit your initial tests?
 

xenomorth45

Member
Joined
13 Jan 2025
Messages
79
Location
dudley
I did mine on the 08/02 and have not heard yet. having a worry my tests were not saved. Did anyone get a confirmation email or anything. All had was “your answers have been saved” after completing them.
 

Hrav1656

Member
Joined
26 Mar 2024
Messages
46
Location
west midlands
They take people from all backgrounds and they would definitely rate ex military. The reason people talk about ex police is because of the ability to follow rules and procedures and ex military would absolutely fit . There are lots of ex police in the two companies I have driven for and a few ex military.
Thank you for the encouragement, I applied today.
 

7819Hinton

Member
Joined
5 Jan 2022
Messages
56
Location
UK
You won’t get a confirmation e mail from the OPC after the tests.
It’s always worth trying to log back in with your personal log in details. If it says that there are no more tests. That’s probably a good indication your tests have saved.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

You won’t get a confirmation e mail from the OPC after the tests.
It’s always worth trying to log back in with your personal log in details. If it says that there are no more tests. That’s probably a good indication your tests have saved.
Caveat to the above.. probably not relevant if you’re outside of the completion date.
 

theunassuming

Member
Joined
10 Feb 2025
Messages
7
Location
Birmingham
You won’t get a confirmation e mail from the OPC after the tests.
It’s always worth trying to log back in with your personal log in details. If it says that there are no more tests. That’s probably a good indication your tests have saved.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==


Caveat to the above.. probably not relevant if you’re outside of the completion date.
I tried logging back in straight after I completed them to see if they had saved, it displayed the message stating there are no tests for this user. Guess it’s just a waiting game then. Thanks for the info.
 

dwilko869

Member
Joined
5 Feb 2025
Messages
5
Location
Newtown
Hi I have been given a date for stage 1 tests in Watford, I have gone through the practise material that they sent me but was wondering if there is any further practise material available on this forum or if anyone can recommend some extra I can get hold of elsewhere.

They have advised focusing on the following tests;
Group Bourdon
Tea-occ (test of everyday attention)
TRP1b (Trainability for rules and procedures, Part 1b)
TRP2 (Trainability for rules and procedures, Part2)
DFFT (Driver fault finding test)

Cheers.
 

7819Hinton

Member
Joined
5 Jan 2022
Messages
56
Location
UK
I tried logging back in straight after I completed them to see if they had saved, it displayed the message stating there are no tests for this user. Guess it’s just a waiting game then. Thanks for the info.
From my experience, that would suggest that’s a good sign all was ok with them uploading.
Best of luck with the process.
 

xenomorth45

Member
Joined
13 Jan 2025
Messages
79
Location
dudley
Hi I have been given a date for stage 1 tests in Watford, I have gone through the practise material that they sent me but was wondering if there is any further practise material available on this forum or if anyone can recommend some extra I can get hold of elsewhere.

They have advised focusing on the following tests;
Group Bourdon
Tea-occ (test of everyday attention)
TRP1b (Trainability for rules and procedures, Part 1b)
TRP2 (Trainability for rules and procedures, Part2)
DFFT (Driver fault finding test)

Cheers.
I brought the How to become a train driver book from Amazon for £10 has all the tests in.

If you don’t mind me asking how long did it take between completing the 4 online tests to hearing you made the next step?
 

dwilko869

Member
Joined
5 Feb 2025
Messages
5
Location
Newtown
I brought the How to become a train driver book from Amazon for £10 has all the tests in.

If you don’t mind me asking how long did it take between completing the 4 online tests to hearing you made the next step?
Ah great thanks I will have a look at that one!!

So I got an email on the 3rd Feb which gave me until the 8th Feb to do the online tests, I then got an email on the Monday after which was the 10th Feb saying I had a date for Watford which is the 27th Feb. I was very surprised by the fast turn round on that I was expecting a good couple of week wait. Which posting have you applied for? Shrewsbury was the only option for me due to Geography.
 

xenomorth45

Member
Joined
13 Jan 2025
Messages
79
Location
dudley
Ah great thanks I will have a look at that one!!

So I got an email on the 3rd Feb which gave me until the 8th Feb to do the online tests, I then got an email on the Monday after which was the 10th Feb saying I had a date for Watford which is the 27th Feb. I was very surprised by the fast turn round on that I was expecting a good couple of week wait. Which posting have you applied for? Shrewsbury was the only option for me due to Geography.
That was quick! I did mine on the 08/02 and haven’t heard back yet. I have applied for Wolverhampton. I wonder if the depot makes a difference?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Ah great thanks I will have a look at that one!!

So I got an email on the 3rd Feb which gave me until the 8th Feb to do the online tests, I then got an email on the Monday after which was the 10th Feb saying I had a date for Watford which is the 27th Feb. I was very surprised by the fast turn round on that I was expecting a good couple of week wait. Which posting have you applied for? Shrewsbury was the only option for me due to Geography.
Sorry forgot to say good luck too.
 
Last edited:

Brum_AVFC

Member
Joined
30 Oct 2020
Messages
119
Location
Solihull
To all those wondering and waiting, I’ve applied to most TOC’s over the years and been through the application process, and I’m still none the wiser as to how they decide who to get back to and who to put through (providing you pass) I’ve either, failed an application test and been told, heard back within a week, heard back months later or not heard back at all. I just keep going through the motions each time I apply.

Although it’s never recommended to chase them with emails (recruiters are very busy people) that’s probably the only way you’ll get answers other than pulling your hair out wondering. I’ve always refrained from doing this mind.

One thing I’ve realised, it can be a long process applying for these roles.
 

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