Transport for Wales - Conductor Recruitment and Discussion

[Welshy89]

Read through the thread and think it also answers my questions then, when are they likely to open recruitment up for conductors.

But by the seems of it they won't be for a significant time

 

[Marsprobe]

Read through the thread and think it also answers my questions then, when are they likely to open recruitment up for conductors.

But by the seems of it they won't be for a significant time

Yeah, probably not soon as there are about 100 people waiting

 

[bingbongbutler]

With a lot people due to drop out early next year though. Fingers crossed they extend us and don’t waste time and money with more recruitment

 

[David-1]

I’m sure the drivers in the talent pool had an extension, hopefully if we are not called we get the same

 

[Railway1642]

With a lot people due to drop out early next year though. Fingers crossed they extend us and don’t waste time and money with more recruitment

We asked for extension after 2yrs and were advised it wasn’t possible ( April 2025 )
Sadly dropped out of the talent pool along with many others.

 

[David-1]

This is the reply i got to an email I sent yesterday asking for any kind of
Update

 

[bingbongbutler]

Same old same old. Would be mad to lose 30/40 people mind. You’d think in the interests of time and money they’d consider extending

 

[crisky]

All sounds really frustrating. I've only been waiting since last November and I'm in the North which there seems to be a bit more movement in so it seems different for me, but I realise that I might still have a long wait ahead!

 

[Marsprobe]

Does anyone know of anyone that applied for another role in tfw whilst waiting in a talent pool for something else...just wondering how that would work

 

[ValleysTM20]

Hi, so my pass out rides are next week , I had my interview in March 2025 and then got a phone call in October 2025 for a January start date. Amazing experience so far, training is 16 weeks plus 4 weeks route learning. From what I was told from some recruitment managers , on the interview day you have a score, if it’s high then you’re gonna be at the top of the talent pool and most likely to start soon, however if you have a low score then unfortunately you’re gonna be pretty low and can be waiting up to 2 years. There are plans for around 16 new courses next year and another influx of applications end of this year. Hope this is useful. If anyone has any questions related to training or the job then let me know )

 

[D1015]

In short, I suspect that a lot of talent pool dwellers are going to end up as quiet, soft rejections. Especially if they plan for "an influx of applications end of this year" when they've still got talent pools to scour.
God Almighty.

 

[Marsprobe]

Hi, so my pass out rides are next week , I had my interview in March 2025 and then got a phone call in October 2025 for a January start date. Amazing experience so far, training is 16 weeks plus 4 weeks route learning. From what I was told from some recruitment managers , on the interview day you have a score, if it’s high then you’re gonna be at the top of the talent pool and most likely to start soon, however if you have a low score then unfortunately you’re gonna be pretty low and can be waiting up to 2 years. There are plans for around 16 new courses next year and another influx of applications end of this year. Hope this is useful. If anyone has any questions related to training or the job then let me know )

When reading a freedom of information request, dated 2024 it states that there are multiple factors

 

[ValleysTM20]

When reading a freedom of information request, dated 2024 it states that there are multiple factors

Again , the information I provided is just stuff that I personally know from my time in the railway, but it’s good to see what else they consider when picking out candidates from the talent pool.

In short, I suspect that a lot of talent pool dwellers are going to end up as quiet, soft rejections. Especially if they plan for "an influx of applications end of this year" when they've still got talent pools to scour.

Depends on how many are left in the pool, I was told by a recruitment manager that there are plans for 12-16 courses next year for Cardiff Valleys and I believe there are 2 more scheduled for this year. The reason for the influx of applications is that the Cardiff Valleys are extremely short on conductors hence the number of courses and the applications. But whoever is left in the talent pool (if the criteria is met) They should give them a start date soon. Also if you’ve applied for Cardiff Mainline, it’s likely you’ll be asked to go to Valleys as the waiting list for Mainline is around 2 years

 

[Marsprobe]

Again , the information I provided is just stuff that I personally know from my time in the railway, but it’s good to see what else they consider when picking out candidates from the talent pool.

Depends on how many are left in the pool, I was told by a recruitment manager that there are plans for 12-16 courses next year for Cardiff Valleys and I believe there are 2 more scheduled for this year. The reason for the influx of applications is that the Cardiff Valleys are extremely short on conductors hence the number of courses and the applications. But whoever is left in the talent pool (if the criteria is met) They should give them a start date soon. Also if you’ve applied for Cardiff Mainline, it’s likely you’ll be asked to go to Valleys as the waiting list for Mainline is around 2 years

They have apparently been short for nearly two years but it hasn't stopped them leaving a large bulk of people sitting in the talent pool for nearly two years

 

[David-1]

I appreciate they pick based on highest scores first but surely we have all met the criteria needed for the job, seems like there is a lot of us in the pool and seems silly for them to bump us all off and bring fresh in as it suggests they will, I have pretty much given up starting now, the repeated reply to emails saying “we will be in touch when we have news” sounds a bit negative but that’s where my thought process is at.

 

[ValleysTM20]

I appreciate they pick based on highest scores first but surely we have all met the criteria needed for the job, seems like there is a lot of us in the pool and seems silly for them to bump us all off and bring fresh in as it suggests they will, I have pretty much given up starting now, the repeated reply to emails saying “we will be in touch when we have news” sounds a bit negative but that’s where my thought process is at.

I completely understand, I’ve been in the same situation, I know people who have been in there for over a year and half with the only information being an automatic email from recruitment. Unfortunately the recruitment department are slow and haven’t a clue what they’re doing sometime. Best advice i can give is just sit tight and wait and hopefully you’ll be on one of the many courses next year

 

[LC08]

Again , the information I provided is just stuff that I personally know from my time in the railway, but it’s good to see what else they consider when picking out candidates from the talent pool.

Depends on how many are left in the pool, I was told by a recruitment manager that there are plans for 12-16 courses next year for Cardiff Valleys and I believe there are 2 more scheduled for this year. The reason for the influx of applications is that the Cardiff Valleys are extremely short on conductors hence the number of courses and the applications. But whoever is left in the talent pool (if the criteria is met) They should give them a start date soon. Also if you’ve applied for Cardiff Mainline, it’s likely you’ll be asked to go to Valleys as the waiting list for Mainline is around 2 years

Thank you for this information - hopefully they do end up running 16 courses. Gives me hope that there is still potential I may get given a course before my time in talent pool expires it’s a hard game this waiting

 

[Railway1642]

Any update on intake for Carmarthen?

 

[kaylieilewis]

anyone heard anything as of yet?

 

[Marsprobe]

Sadly not . It's now been over two years since I filled out my application form!

 

[Ally2900]

I haven't been applied for a TfW job as I'm still waiting for one to become available but this just seems silly now doesn't it.

Are all TOCs like this?

 

[David-1]

anyone heard anything as of yet?

Still radio silence from them!

 

[kaylieilewis]

Was anyone else aware that selection from the talent pool was based on scoring at the assessment day?

 

[crisky]

Was anyone else aware that selection from the talent pool was based on scoring at the assessment day?

Yes I think I’d read that, and I’m starting to worry now!

 

[Marsprobe]

Some of the people on my assessment day were amazing on the group challenge and seemed very well.prepared and well prepped. From what I gather, they are still waiting so not sure if this is the only factor

 

[bingbongbutler]

I wasn’t aware of this. Thought it was first come first serve

 

[David-1]

Yes I think I’d read that, and I’m starting to worry now!

You and me both! But I mentioned before we have all clearly demonstrated via all the assessments that we are competent at the role

 

[crisky]

You and me both! But I mentioned before we have all clearly demonstrated via all the assessments that we are competent at the role

Yes just have to keep remembering this and keep the faith

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Jul 2026 ==

Does anyone have any news about upcoming courses in the North? I can remember people saying that there were courses planned for October and potentially September this year? Thanks

 

[kaylieilewis]

I have family members on the railway and they have heard that there are courses being run every month next year so there's hope!

 

[crisky]

I have family members on the railway and they have heard that there are courses being run every month next year so there's hope!

Oh great. Do you know what areas?