Transport for Wales - Trainee Train Drivers

[Armourer79]

I guess I’m just worried how it went as it’s the second interview I’ve ever done in my life. Harped on about rules procedures and safety so fingers crossed ‍♂️ I heard back about the paper assessment within five days so am hoping it’s this week. Suspense is killing me!

Any tips for the final interview?

Apologies... I read you had passed the second assessment & assumed it was the MMI as well. So i took the MMI on the Tuesday & found out I passed it that same Friday. I then waited around 4 weeks for my DMI date.

As for tips... Absolutely I can give you some tips but how good they are... my DMI result will determine that haha. HOWEVER, I am critiquing my own interview just in case so keep writing notes on how I think I could have done better.

 

[Rigvon]

Does anyone have the Taffs Well driver shift pattern? Does this differ significantly from mainline? Saw a post much earlier on but couldn’t get to grips with the shifts. Thanks!

These have not been confirmed yet

 

[Rail87]

Hi, I just passed the second assessment day and had the MMI in cardiff. How long does it usually take to hear something? (I was the only one who had an mmi that day if that shortens the time frame?) being so close is absolutely shredding my nerves

I found out within a week

 

[cader12]

Howdy all...

Awaiting my result for my DMI! Never been so nervous yet excited to hear the result of something in all my life. Thank you to you all for the info every little helps especially for the DMI

What station you going for mate?

 

[Armourer79]

What station you going for mate?

Currently Mach but they did mention maybe HR could swap to Shrews given my location however... I applied knowing full well I'd have to move I just didn't realise it would have to be before I start the course I assumed I would have that 3 months on top of ... If I know I'm successful!

Long answer to... Mach AND I'd be over the moon to go there!

 

[cader12]

Currently Mach but they did mention maybe HR could swap to Shrews given my location however... I applied knowing full well I'd have to move I just didn't realise it would have to be before I start the course I assumed I would have that 3 months on top of ... If I know I'm successful!

Long answer to... Mach AND I'd be over the moon to go there!

Best of luck with it mate! How did you find the DMI interview, any questions that caught you out?

 

[Armourer79]

Best of luck with it mate! How did you find the DMI interview, any questions that caught you out?

Thanks pal. I wouldn't say any caught me out like proper rabbit in headlights, but 2 definitely made me think & given how many questions there were I think I prepared as well as I could have.

1. A situation where you had to quickly change priorities ( I answered it ok but later thought of a much better answer)
2. Why should we pick you (I did so much research but didn't really come across this Q... I practiced why this TOC, why Driver & had both these Q's) I answered it spot on though in my own biased opinion

So yeah #2 caught me the most but this was only my second interview in 24 years so I did as much as I could. I am already writing down better answers & points to bring up but I dont think anyone goes in & gets 100% so yeah fingers crossed.

 

[Diedinium]

Anyone else still waiting in the talent pool for Shrewsbury? I passed my DMI back in Jan 2023.

I'm aware that some people were given medical dates and tentative start dates recently, assuming I've been unlucky and not gotten picked for this first round of training - hopefully there will be some more later this year or next year?

If anyone has any information I'd really appreciate it (If you can't share it publicly then send me a private message)

 

[RyanC87]

Hi, I just passed the second assessment day and had the MMI in cardiff. How long does it usually take to hear something? (I was the only one who had an mmi that day if that shortens the time frame?) being so close is absolutely shredding my nerves

Usually a week at most

 

[jessica1306]

Hi all—roughly how long was it before you heard back from your medical? I was told I’d passed everything but they weren’t able to do the ECG as they didn’t organise a chaperone; doc said they’d have to ask me to come back in. But I assume they will talk to me about this when TfW call…

Also, how long after medical/before start date did you get contract docs etc? My start is 18th Sep

 

[CannonBall]

Depends, could be a few days or a few weeks. TFW seem to be quite good at getting results back in a timely manner to people.

 

[Armourer79]

Hi all—roughly how long was it before you heard back from your medical? I was told I’d passed everything but they weren’t able to do the ECG as they didn’t organise a chaperone; doc said they’d have to ask me to come back in. But I assume they will talk to me about this when TfW call…

Also, how long after medical/before start date did you get contract docs etc? My start is 18th Sep

Where are you training? If I am successful I'll be in Chester.

Praying I find out soon... Finish my job end of October eeeeeeek

 

[jessica1306]

Where are you training? If I am successful I'll be in Chester.

Praying I find out soon... Finish my job end of October eeeeeeek

I think Chester as I’ll be based in the north fingers crossed for you!

 

[Armourer79]

I think Chester as I’ll be based in the north fingers crossed for you!

Thank you. Really trying not to refresh my e-mails every 7 minutes but so far it isn't going well haha.

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Great news... I'm in! Absolutely BUZZING!

 

[blindjustice21]

Usually a week at most

Well good news I passed!

Now I’m just looking for sources to prepare for the dmi!!! Exciting times

 

[Armourer79]

Well good news I passed!

Now I’m just looking for sources to prepare for the dmi!!! Exciting times

Awesome news! I found out yesterday I passed the DMI

 

[CannonBall]

These have not been confirmed yet

Further to that, anyone know if ALL valleys drivers are going to relocate to Taffs Well? I was told that i might be relocated to it as a depot but they couldn't confirm. Just curious

 

[RyanC87]

Further to that, anyone know if ALL valleys drivers are going to relocate to Taffs Well? I was told that i might be relocated to it as a depot but they couldn't confirm. Just curious

Not all no. There's a list which I think is about 75% full. All new starters have Taff's well written into contract so assume they can just fill it up with trianees

 

[blindjustice21]

Awesome. Congratulations!

What kind of questions did they ask that you was not expecting?
Any top tips/ source material I could use to prepare?

Awesome news! I found out yesterday I passed the DMI?

 

[CannonBall]

Not all no. There's a list which I think is about 75% full. All new starters have Taff's well written into contract so assume they can just fill it up with trianees

Awesome, thank you, looking forward to starting in August

 

[cakefiend]

Yeah I did the SJE questions first, then you do the computer tests and then after all that is done. You have around 45 minutes to go over your 6 questions. You can change your questions if you want, I did. They'll take you into a room and tell you if you passed or failed and then you do the interview which lasts around 45 minutes to a hour

What do you mean by change your questions?

 

[perks1992]

What do you mean by change your questions?

The 6 answers you wrote down after your paper test for the mmi. You can change them on the day if you want.

 

[cader12]

Anybody have any idea how the DMI process usually operates?. I have been waiting some time for an interview date, I'm aware of others that have had an interview. Is the order done by who scored highest in the assessments?. Hoping to hear soon.

 

[Armourer79]

Anybody have any idea how the DMI process usually operates?. I have been waiting some time for an interview date, I'm aware of others that have had an interview. Is the order done by who scored highest in the assessments?. Hoping to hear soon.

Not sure how the order is done exactly, someone else might know that but just for reference once I found out I passed my MMI I think it was around 5 weeks to get my DMI date which was the following week.

 

[cader12]

Not sure how the order is done exactly, someone else might know that but just for reference once I found out I passed my MMI I think it was around 5 weeks to get my DMI date which was the following week.

Ok, thanks for the input. I have been waiting longer than 5 weeks, which is really tough going. I just hope I hear something soon, I'm really excited about the prospect of becoming a train driver, that's all I seem to be thinking about at the moment. Congratulations on your DMI result, it must be an incredible feeling. I assume you are now in the talent pool and just awaiting the phone call. Well done!

 

[Armourer79]

Ok, thanks for the input. I have been waiting longer than 5 weeks, which is really tough going. I just hope I hear something soon, I'm really excited about the prospect of becoming a train driver, that's all I seem to be thinking about at the moment. Congratulations on your DMI result, it must be an incredible feeling. I assume you are now in the talent pool and just awaiting the phone call. Well done!

It was the best email by a mile I've ever had!!! I was a blubbing mess

I'm sure you will hear something very soon! Best advice... Just keep 'revising' for the DMI even just half hour a night! I focused a little too much on the wait itself & so the week before was a lot of revising! And yeah the wait tries to consume you but look... You've got through to the DMI it's just a date you are after so yeah keep revising & researching!

I'm in the talent pool waiting on a Medical & then yeah a phone call! Not sure if I get a medical when they pencil me into a start date (but I wouldn't know that date) then if I pass medical they then confirm my place!

It seems like a process where until you actually start you just go to the next thing that consumes you! I'm out of work 25th October so hoping it's before then.

 

[Aspiring-drive]

I had my DMI yesterday and feel like it went well.. so fingers crossed! How long did it take to hear your result? I was told it would take up to a week. Was the result via email or phone call? Also, when do you give your notice in… as soon as the successful result or once you actually have a start date? I think my notice period is 3 months

 

[Armourer79]

I had my DMI yesterday and feel like it went well.. so fingers crossed! How long did it take to hear your result? I was told it would take up to a week. Was the result via email or phone call? Also, when do you give your notice in… as soon as the successful result or once you actually have a start date? I think my notice period is 3 months

Oh fantastic! Where was your DMI.

I had mine on the Tuesday & the following Friday I heard via E-Mail

So I'm slightly different my 21 year contract with the RAF ends 25th of October I can't extend it (I also don't want to even if I had the chance LoL) so yeah I'm really keeping my fingers crossed!

My best guess is wait until you get a start date as the way things are going you may have roughly that notice anyway (you let HR know your notice period so they may work something out knowing your Notice period)

Fingers crossed for you!

 

[perks1992]

How long does a staff rail pass take to come. Been waiting a month so far, don't start till next month. Hoping it'll come within that time

 

[mpfol]

How long does a staff rail pass take to come. Been waiting a month so far, don't start till next month. Hoping it'll come within that time

Funnily enough I haven’t long got off the phone to TFW. I spoke to the rail delivery company and they hadn’t received my joining information from TFW. Be worth giving them a ring to make sure . Phone hours are only open on a Monday Wednesday and Friday between 9-12.