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

dwilko869

Member
Joined
5 Feb 2025
Messages
5
Location
Newtown
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?

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Sorry forgot to say good luck too.
Yes I wondered if what depot you apply for may determine what sift you are in so to speak. Thanks very much, it is my first time applying so all new to me. Good luck to you too, hope you hear something soon, waiting is the worst part!!
 
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xenomorth45

Member
Joined
13 Jan 2025
Messages
79
Location
dudley
Gutted/not gutted after receiving this email. Only to pass and then get no further.

Thank you for your patience. We’ve reviewed your test results and I’m pleased to inform you, you have passed the online testing for WMR.
However, unfortunately we will need to put your application on hold as WMR are reviewing their recruitment for the following depots:

  • Birmingham
  • · Shrewsbury
  • · Wolverhampton
  • · Worcester

Any thought? Anyone been in the same situation? I feel this is probably the end and I won’t hear again.
 

Westbrom04

Member
Joined
5 Feb 2025
Messages
12
Location
Dudley
Is anyone still waiting the results of the first 4 tasks? I completed mine on 30th Jan closing date was 2nd Feb for Birmingham
I had a reply today saying I have passed mine but west midlands railway are reviewing the roles they have advertised so I'm being put in a talent pool. So good news I haven't failed but I have no idea what happens now! Suppose I just have to wait ‍♂️
 

xenomorth45

Member
Joined
13 Jan 2025
Messages
79
Location
dudley
I had a reply today saying I have passed mine but west midlands railway are reviewing the roles they have advertised so I'm being put in a talent pool. So good news I haven't failed but I have no idea what happens now! Suppose I just have to wait ‍♂️
Yea just this second had the same email. So frustrating after waiting and passing not to progress any further. I wonder if we will actually hear again.
 

Westbrom04

Member
Joined
5 Feb 2025
Messages
12
Location
Dudley
Gutted/not gutted after receiving this email. Only to pass and then get no further.

Thank you for your patience. We’ve reviewed your test results and I’m pleased to inform you, you have passed the online testing for WMR.
However, unfortunately we will need to put your application on hold as WMR are reviewing their recruitment for the following depots:

  • Birmingham
  • · Shrewsbury
  • · Wolverhampton
  • · Worcester

Any thought? Anyone been in the same situation? I feel this is probably the end and I won’t hear again.
I've had exactly the same reply. I have no idea what is going to happen next (if anything)! Pretty poor really just leaving you hanging like this
 

guiltedge

Member
Joined
17 Feb 2025
Messages
8
Location
Wolverhampton
Gutted/not gutted after receiving this email. Only to pass and then get no further.

Thank you for your patience. We’ve reviewed your test results and I’m pleased to inform you, you have passed the online testing for WMR.
However, unfortunately we will need to put your application on hold as WMR are reviewing their recruitment for the following depots:

  • Birmingham
  • · Shrewsbury
  • · Wolverhampton
  • · Worcester

Any thought? Anyone been in the same situation? I feel this is probably the end and I won’t hear again.
I’ve just had the same reply as well. I guess it’s a positive to pass the first stage but being in limbo is rather frustrating!

Does anyone know if it’s advisable/feasible to apply for other roles within the industry whilst being in a talent pool for WMT?
 

Brum_AVFC

Member
Joined
30 Oct 2020
Messages
119
Location
Solihull
Yeah
I’ve just had the same reply as well. I guess it’s a positive to pass the first stage but being in limbo is rather frustrating!

Does anyone know if it’s advisable/feasible to apply for other roles within the industry whilst being in a talent pool for WMT?
yeah it’s fine to apply for other TOC’s. I’m in the same boat with Chiltern, waiting in limbo for them to review their recruitment process for Moor Street and I’ve progressed further with WMR.
 

guiltedge

Member
Joined
17 Feb 2025
Messages
8
Location
Wolverhampton
Yeah

yeah it’s fine to apply for other TOC’s. I’m in the same boat with Chiltern, waiting in limbo for them to review their recruitment process for Moor Street and I’ve progressed further with WMR.
Thanks for clearing that up, I appreciate it. Good luck with your applications
 

xenomorth45

Member
Joined
13 Jan 2025
Messages
79
Location
dudley
Chiltern Railways are recruiting trainee drivers for the Bham Black Country area. Its for the talent pool but at least it will be a foot in the door. Also if you pass it puts you in a better position with WMR when they do contact us.
 

Hrav1656

Member
Joined
26 Mar 2024
Messages
46
Location
west midlands
I had a reply today saying I have passed mine but west midlands railway are reviewing the roles they have advertised so I'm being put in a talent pool. So good news I haven't failed but I have no idea what happens now! Suppose I just have to wait ‍♂️
I’ve just had the same
 

Hrav1656

Member
Joined
26 Mar 2024
Messages
46
Location
west midlands
Yep - same here too! Frustrating, but at least we have all passed the initial OPC online tests, so we should congratulate ourselves on that much! The waiting game continues...
The road is long, passing the application and the online tests isn’t easy so a massive well done.
 

theunassuming

Member
Joined
10 Feb 2025
Messages
7
Location
Birmingham
Gutted/not gutted after receiving this email. Only to pass and then get no further.

Thank you for your patience. We’ve reviewed your test results and I’m pleased to inform you, you have passed the online testing for WMR.
However, unfortunately we will need to put your application on hold as WMR are reviewing their recruitment for the following depots:

  • Birmingham
  • · Shrewsbury
  • · Wolverhampton
  • · Worcester

Any thought? Anyone been in the same situation? I feel this is probably the end and I won’t hear again.
I’ve had exactly the same email. I wonder how long we’ll be waiting…
 

d44nny

Member
Joined
31 Jan 2023
Messages
73
Location
Birmingham
I'm in the same boat as all of you. Atleast we know we managed to pass the first part which is great.
I'm guessing they will see how the first group get on with the next step at the opc centre to see if any more candidates are required.
 

applejack

Member
Joined
1 Feb 2025
Messages
12
Location
new street
Hi Finally got an email today for WMR- Birmingham. Been Put in to talent pool as they reviewing their recruitments.

In regards to talent pool I searched the group found few post saying they may never get back to you or it be a very long time before they do. Sometimes they will put out new job ad and wont go into the talent pool to contact you so have to reapply. Could it be that they still reviewing their recruitments so need more time?
 

Derail Ed

New Member
Joined
18 Feb 2025
Messages
1
Location
Wolverhampton
Hi Finally got an email today for WMR- Birmingham. Been Put in to talent pool as they reviewing their recruitments.

In regards to talent pool I searched the group found few post saying they may never get back to you or it be a very long time before they do. Sometimes they will put out new job ad and wont go into the talent pool to contact you so have to reapply. Could it be that they still reviewing their recruitments so need more time?
I’m in the same boat. This is my first application, so I’m by no means an expert - but there were a couple of people earlier in the thread who had passed through to the next stage.

I presume the “reviewing their recruitment” is just HR speak for putting us on a reserve list / talent pool.

I maybe wrong, they could have worded it better.
 

xenomorth45

Member
Joined
13 Jan 2025
Messages
79
Location
dudley
very frustrating I just hope it doesn’t take long for them to progress us to the next stage.
 
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Hartle147

Member
Joined
8 Feb 2024
Messages
5
Location
Kidderminster
Straight to stage 2 assessment day for me. Passed everything to national standard last year with WMT, but failed the 2 hand co-ordination to the enhanced standard. So from what I understand, I'll just be retaking that one and then the MMI (if successful).
 

xenomorth45

Member
Joined
13 Jan 2025
Messages
79
Location
dudley
I have emailed WMR HR and asked for a time when we may move to the next stage. If I get a reply I will let you guys know.
 

xenomorth45

Member
Joined
13 Jan 2025
Messages
79
Location
dudley
I got a reply from WMR HR see below. So reading into this suggests maybe the OPC doesn’t have capacity at the moment?

“The OPC will be in touch with an update when they commence further testing.

We do not have a date for this, you will be updated via the OPC”
 

guiltedge

Member
Joined
17 Feb 2025
Messages
8
Location
Wolverhampton
Straight to stage 2 assessment day for me. Passed everything to national standard last year with WMT, but failed the 2 hand co-ordination to the enhanced standard. So from what I understand, I'll just be retaking that one and then the MMI (if successful).
Well done and good luck with your Stage 2 assessments. Where and when are they taking place?
 

xenomorth45

Member
Joined
13 Jan 2025
Messages
79
Location
dudley
Emailed OPC too and had the below reply very quickly. So guess we just got to sit tight.

I’m afraid we cannot provide you with any more information, other that was has already been sent to you. As soon as further information is available then we will inform you.
 

Brum_AVFC

Member
Joined
30 Oct 2020
Messages
119
Location
Solihull
Straight to stage 2 assessment day for me. Passed everything to national standard last year with WMT, but failed the 2 hand co-ordination to the enhanced standard. So from what I understand, I'll just be retaking that one and then the MMI (if successful).
Snap

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What date you got?
 

Hartle147

Member
Joined
8 Feb 2024
Messages
5
Location
Kidderminster
Well done and good luck with your Stage 2 assessments. Where and when are they taking place?
Thanks - Stage 2 is in Watford, I've got 5th March but unsure whether there are more dates

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Snap

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What date you got?
5th March, what about you?
 

joshb1232

Member
Joined
19 Feb 2025
Messages
9
Location
shropshire
hi everyone, I know these questions have probably been asked a dozen times but hey ho, I have my stage 1 assessments next Thursday in Watford for a position at the Crewe depot, I have been asked to study the "window panel", and tips or examples I can look at online to help out with revision. doing well with the group bourdon test etc so just need to nail this really and I should hopefully begin to feel comfortable cheers
 

xenomorth45

Member
Joined
13 Jan 2025
Messages
79
Location
dudley
hi everyone, I know these questions have probably been asked a dozen times but hey ho, I have my stage 1 assessments next Thursday in Watford for a position at the Crewe depot, I have been asked to study the "window panel", and tips or examples I can look at online to help out with revision. doing well with the group bourdon test etc so just need to nail this really and I should hopefully begin to feel comfortable cheers
Try the how2become train driver test book from amazon. It’s the one I have and its only £10.

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Out of interest those who have had their invite to the in person OPC assessments not the ones on hold. What depot have you applied for? I am just wondering if they are doing testing by depot.
 
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