I think it was between 200-500 words (I did roughly 400 for each i think). Roughly 5 or 6 different questions, things like “describe a time you’ve been in an emergency situation” to answer. It took me 4 hours to complete which is probably overkill but I really wanted to succeed. Just search those initial questions and prepare your answers ready for when an opportunity arises.
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Transport for Wales - Trainee Train Drivers
- Thread starter L33mcc
- Start date
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RailUK Forums
843185288
Member
Im not sure how transport for wales work however i would like to think that they need people in the talent pool at all times. Due to nearly all the talent pool expiring in early 2029 (whether they are put on courses or expiring the 5 year limit) i would take a guess that trainee courses will start to appear in mid 2028. If no driving courses come up then i will still be in the pool despite tfw advertising for drivers which will be frustrating. Hopefully we all get on a course by then
Im staying positive and would like to think we will have heard by then, a few positives mentioned here recently from yourself and the other user which is always good. Ive also heard theres plenty of retirements due to happen. Im seeing the recent qualified Cardiff driver position as good too, in regard to spare drivers. If they didn't want too many spares, they wouldn't have put the job up. So if there are spare drivers it doesn't mean they are necessarily over allocated, which again would be good for us lot.
racecar80a
New Member
Thanks for the advice and answering to this. Good luck with your app and the process
For the Cardiff people, My driver friend sent me a copy of a message the valley drivers received. It stated that there will be additional services over the next 12 months for mainline, and they are seeing if valley drivers want to move over for the uplift. They want to see how many are willing to move over before looking externally. My driver friend thinks very few will make the move, and so they will likely look externally soon.
843185288
Member
Really good news, hopefully it wont be long now especially with the new 398 flleet starting to enter service this year, new treherbert opportunities and and increase in retirements. Thanks for sharing
Would the courses start this year for that, or would they be next year?
I am looking to go on holiday in August
Railway1642
Member
Evening all, does anyone know if they’ll likely recruit for Trainee Driver at Carmarthen anytime soon? Not sure how many are waiting in the talent pool for this depot. TIA
843185288
Member
Hi
Im not sure sorry, the only thing i can go off is hearsay from employees and educated guesses
VR494
Member
Tram Inn SB
Member
Funny that say the minimum age is 20, but will soon be reduced to 18. Can a 18 year apply ?
VR494
Member
Yes, the age is being changed to 18 in the latter of this year. If you’re interested I wouldn’t hang around as the vacancy could be pulled before midnight.
Tram Inn SB
Member
TFW Hopeful
New Member
Evening all, new here.
Been invited to a video interview - is this a standard part of the process or has my application progressed onto the next 'stage'?
Also - any heads up on the format & type of questions I may get asked?
Thanks
Been invited to a video interview - is this a standard part of the process or has my application progressed onto the next 'stage'?
Also - any heads up on the format & type of questions I may get asked?
Thanks
VR494
Member
The video interview is a recent addition to the tfw recruitment process. Although other TOC’s such as LNER have been using them for a while.
From what I understand, you will be presented with a number of questions surrounding the role, then after each question you will be given a period of time to record your responses.
Questions are usually: Why do you want to be a train driver? Describe a time when you’ve followed rules and procedures?
I’d recommend just being yourself and don’t worry about it too much. Don’t overthink things, the majority of the successful candidates just give it a go, and if it’s a meant to be, it will happen for you.
TFW Hopeful
New Member
Great, thanks.
Going to give it a go tonight and hope to progress to the next stage
Going to give it a go tonight and hope to progress to the next stage
843185288
Member
Any news for people in the talent pool for south wales? Im still hopeful for courses this year
In the message my friend showed, it says they want to “gauge numbers“ and that “an invite would be posted shortly” and he sent me this on 07/05. So lets just say it takes a month for them to gauge the numbers, that could mean they start looking externally after that. The message also says ”only when service uplifts are confirmed will the vacancies be advertised” so could be any time over the next 12 months really, im hoping for something within the next 3-4 months but who knows.
843185288
Member
Thanks for the reply. I apologise for keeping on its just i feel like my life is on hold waiting for this phone call/email. I have two young kids and want to plan holidays for next year etc.. With all tgis positive talk i feel a course is very near.I understand that TFW cant give exact dates its just i wish we would get better communication on rough dates or what is potentially happening. Thank again
I understand mate, we are all desperate for that call. I also had the issue with booking holidays, in the end I decided to go away last year and risk it knowing I may have to cancel if a course came. It’s hard to forget about it and get on with your life! It would be nice for TFW to give more info so we have an idea on their plans and can plan our holidays.
ThePeakNed
Member
They can’t really give more info if there’s no info to give…
I get that, but they must have an idea/timeline of when things will happen, for example they could tell people theres no courses for next 6 months so then people have a green light to go away etc during that time
VR494
Member
There’s still nothing planned for the South at the moment LoftyTD. The depots are very much at capacity, some over subscribed as well. They do want another 30 drivers for the mainline.
If the increase in service level happens on the CVL, Treherbert is going to be recruiting for more positions. Rhymney has a waiting list already nearly in double figures.
They have asked Cardiff Valleys for expression of interest to move over to the mainline, but in the long term they want to remove valleys from St Patrick’s house completely and have a new link on the mainline to encompass the VOG. If they don’t have enough names they will force people over I have been informed.
This would be so the higher links can take on the additional services to Bristol. Mainline drivers would not need training on flirts as valleys drivers moving over with competency could fore-fill those services in the new link.
This is the most up to date information available.
Thank you for the additional info
TFW Hopeful
New Member
Done my video interview.
3 questions all of which I'd prepped for, however the first question the setup/recording/chance to go again didn't quite go to plan and I accidentally clicked back on the browser - going back on it told me I'd ran out of chances for that Q.
The other 2 Q's went really well however.
Hopefully that's enough to progress - time will tell
3 questions all of which I'd prepped for, however the first question the setup/recording/chance to go again didn't quite go to plan and I accidentally clicked back on the browser - going back on it told me I'd ran out of chances for that Q.
The other 2 Q's went really well however.
Hopefully that's enough to progress - time will tell
harleyluna
Member
2 min time limit on the questions ?
843185288
Member
Well this has really cut any positive feelings i had lol,
Looks like a holiday is needed
Congrats! What base?
I passed my MMI in Feb and now have a start date of 7th Sept in Chester. The north talent pools seem to be moving quickly!