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Transport for Wales - Trainee Train Drivers

Stead7

Member
Joined
3 Aug 2020
Messages
14
Location
Shrewsbury

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==


I sat my first assessment last week, i found out today that i passed. I am now awaiting an invite for the computer tests + MMI. The assessor said that they were coming to the end of the assessments from the 2020 recruitment campaign, so if what you said is true, and the talent pool is low, possibly a new recruitment in the new year ? Im just excited to have passed, i didn't feel great about the TRP but i obviously done ok.
Congratulations on passing your first assessment, where is that for if you don't mind me asking? I applied back In September 2020 and only got my email at the end of November to say my application has been accepted with the practice materials but I've had no date for the assessments yet
 
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Welshman1

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22 Nov 2021
Messages
71
Location
Pontypridd
Congratulations on passing your first assessment, where is that for if you don't mind me asking? I applied back In September 2020 and only got my email at the end of November to say my application has been accepted with the practice materials but I've had no date for the assessments yet
Cardiff, in reference to why I said, I think that all rejection emails had been complete and the initial sift was finished. So I would expect to have assessments in the new year, have you chased it up with them ?
 

Stead7

Member
Joined
3 Aug 2020
Messages
14
Location
Shrewsbury
Cardiff, in reference to why I said, I think that all rejection emails had been complete and the initial sift was finished. So I would expect to have assessments in the new year, have you chased it up with them ?
No I haven't yet, was going to wait until the start of the new year as I didn't think they'd be putting anyone through over Christmas now. Thank you and good luck with the rest of your assessments
 

wobman

Established Member
Joined
2 Jan 2011
Messages
1,233
I've spoken to a trainer this week and all new trainee drivers will be part of the tfw apprenticeship scheme, it's a nvq qualification as part of their training programme.

Plus about 115 drivers will be trained in the Northern/ English side through Chester training centre in 2022, it's a very busy year next year for tfw.
Also hopefully the Chester training dept gets a new home in April, bigger and far better facilities for all .
 

pops123

Member
Joined
10 Jun 2019
Messages
27
Does anyone know how long from medical to signing contracts and then starting a course normally is, please?
 

Simotrfc

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Joined
3 Sep 2021
Messages
63
Location
Wirral
I've spoken to a trainer this week and all new trainee drivers will be part of the tfw apprenticeship scheme, it's a nvq qualification as part of their training programme.

Plus about 115 drivers will be trained in the Northern/ English side through Chester training centre in 2022, it's a very busy year next year for tfw.
Also hopefully the Chester training dept gets a new home in April, bigger and far better facilities for all .
Good news then mate for us in the talent pool. Thanks for sharing.
 

pops123

Member
Joined
10 Jun 2019
Messages
27
Think I had my contract through a week after the medical in October, I start the 17th January.
I am supposed to be on a course in Feb I think. Haven’t done my medical yet and have to give 4 weeks notice to my current employer. Just wondering if I’ll fit all that in by Feb
 

wobman

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Joined
2 Jan 2011
Messages
1,233
Good news then mate for us in the talent pool. Thanks for sharing.
This year is going to be a busy and exciting year at tfw, new units and lots of new staff. Let's hope the covid madness doesn't effect all the plans....
 

wobman

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Joined
2 Jan 2011
Messages
1,233
I am supposed to be on a course in Feb I think. Haven’t done my medical yet and have to give 4 weeks notice to my current employer. Just wondering if I’ll fit all that in by Feb
Your best contacting tfw HR dept
 

pops123

Member
Joined
10 Jun 2019
Messages
27
I haven’t been given the exact date. It’s for the South. My medical is next week. I’m assuming they may give me a date then?
 

Jim2019

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Joined
19 Aug 2019
Messages
8
Location
Manchester
Yes, i imagine a day or 2 after your medical they’ll contact you with a confirmed date and job offer. All the best
 

Jonno271

Member
Joined
26 Oct 2020
Messages
30
Location
South Wales
I am supposed to be on a course in Feb I think. Haven’t done my medical yet and have to give 4 weeks notice to my current employer. Just wondering if I’ll fit all that in by Feb
Hi pops, I had a call just before Christmas with a start date of 28th Feb (Cardiff) subject to passing a medical on 11th Jan. Was told contract would follow shortly after medical and background checks would continue during my one month notice period. Its all quite compressed timing but the TfW recruitment team seem to be hot on it.
 

pops123

Member
Joined
10 Jun 2019
Messages
27
Hi pops, I had a call just before Christmas with a start date of 28th Feb (Cardiff) subject to passing a medical on 11th Jan. Was told contract would follow shortly after medical and background checks would continue during my one month notice period. Its all quite compressed timing but the TfW recruitment team seem to be hot
Oh amazing! Do you know if all the training is back in the classroom now. Hoping covid doesn’t have an impact, but I’m struggling to keep up with the changing restrictions these days. Fingers crossed it doesn’t impact us.
 

Jonno271

Member
Joined
26 Oct 2020
Messages
30
Location
South Wales
Oh amazing! Do you know if all the training is back in the classroom now. Hoping covid doesn’t have an impact, but I’m struggling to keep up with the changing restrictions these days. Fingers crossed it doesn’t impact us.
Hmm good question, I asked so many questions on the call I have now forgotten most of the answers. I have been working on the assumption that the first 12 weeks will be remote learning, but I may be wrong. I too would rather be in the classroom but I got the impression during aptitude tests and interviews that TfW are still pretty keen on restrictions in the work place.

Another interesting tidbit, I was told that there are no longer Valleys and mainline courses per se, rather that trainees will be assigned at the end of the course. Upon which criteria this is based I do not know but was partly explained by the fact that Taffs Well is not yet up and running.

I had a good chat at the end of my DMI and the instructors let on that train availability and serviceability was driving a very fluid working environment at the moment which is understandable given the delays with new trains coming online.
 

Plodster

Member
Joined
21 Feb 2019
Messages
370
Location
North
Oh amazing! Do you know if all the training is back in the classroom now. Hoping covid doesn’t have an impact, but I’m struggling to keep up with the changing restrictions these days. Fingers crossed it doesn’t impact us.
Hi Im due to start in the middle of January training at Chester. Our instructor has been in touch saying that training will be face to face in the classroom but there are contingency plans to move to online should it be required.
All going well we will stay as planned.

Contracts etc will come through after the medical and are subject to satisfactory pre employment checks which are done through a third party on behalf of TFW DBS and employment checks etc and all pretty straight forward.
 
Last edited:

Jonno271

Member
Joined
26 Oct 2020
Messages
30
Location
South Wales
Hi I due to start in the middle of January training at Chester. Our instructor has been in touch saying that training will be face to face in the classroom but there are contingency plans to move to online should it be required.
All going well we will stay as planned.
That's good news, hopefully the same goes for the Cardiff courses :)
 

wobman

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2 Jan 2011
Messages
1,233
The classroom based training can be done at home via Teams, it's much better to be trained in the classroom though. There's still backlogs of trainees at some depots waiting for DIs though, covid has caused many delays in the training process.
 

Nj82

Member
Joined
18 Jun 2019
Messages
33
Hi Guys,

Has anyone who is starting tomorrow at Cardiff had their uniform?
Uniform is normally handed out during training now I believe, although some may have been lucky enough to get it prior to starting. Don’t panic just turn up in smart dress and your trainer will chase the uniform most likely - good luck
 

wobman

Established Member
Joined
2 Jan 2011
Messages
1,233
Hi Guys,

Has anyone who is starting tomorrow at Cardiff had their uniform?
The trainees have more uniform that the staff working the trains, most of us wear bits of tfw uniform that we can get hold of as its like gold dust......
 

Jonno271

Member
Joined
26 Oct 2020
Messages
30
Location
South Wales
@wobman or anyone else that knows for that matter - I wonder if anyone can tell me if/what parking arrangements there are for TfW trainees and staff in Cardiff? Do staff qualify for free parking in station car parks, for example?

I have Newport station a few miles away with regular trains that run directly into Cardiff. It would be ideal if it weren't for the parking fees of £10/day! BUT, if it were free to trainees/staff I'd be on to a winner, the train would be quicker and save a lot on fuel.
 

wobman

Established Member
Joined
2 Jan 2011
Messages
1,233
@wobman or anyone else that knows for that matter - I wonder if anyone can tell me if/what parking arrangements there are for TfW trainees and staff in Cardiff? Do staff qualify for free parking in station car parks, for example?

I have Newport station a few miles away with regular trains that run directly into Cardiff. It would be ideal if it weren't for the parking fees of £10/day! BUT, if it were free to trainees/staff I'd be on to a winner, the train would be quicker and save a lot on fuel.
The trainees at Chester training centre don't get free parking, I presume its the same at Cardiff. All new drivers at chester pay a monthly reduced fee for a parking pass to NCP, unless they find alternative parking not atbthe Station. Once you get your passes the trains are free though.
 
Joined
12 Aug 2020
Messages
160
Location
Shropshire
I did just ask about my pass as I want to get the train to Chester instead of driving, especially as I'm at a few different hotels while training. Was told to call Monday if the pass hadn't turned up.
 

Jonno271

Member
Joined
26 Oct 2020
Messages
30
Location
South Wales
The trainees at Chester training centre don't get free parking, I presume its the same at Cardiff. All new drivers at chester pay a monthly reduced fee for a parking pass to NCP, unless they find alternative parking not atbthe Station. Once you get your passes the trains are free though.
Good info, thanks Wobman. Makes sense seeing as a lot of TfW stations are served by NCP's, hopefully the discount will make it viable.
 

craigybagel

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Joined
25 Oct 2012
Messages
5,826
No free parking in Cardiff for new traincrew either, only discounted season tickets.

Free car parking is available at certain depots for train crew but neither Chester nor Cardiff are amongst them.
 

wobman

Established Member
Joined
2 Jan 2011
Messages
1,233
Good info, thanks Wobman. Makes sense seeing as a lot of TfW stations are served by NCP's, hopefully the discount will make it viable.
Most people pay the parking fee as the alternative is a pain trying to park in other places, the free areas of parking are not always available.
 

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