Transport for Wales - Trainee Train Drivers

[ThePeakNed]

I'm a nurse. I can't face another 27 years of NHS work. Broken after 18.
Fingers crossed for Feb.

I did 9 years at Specsavers before getting on the railway. Was a guard for 3 years, been a depot driver for another 3 years.

Be an experience going to a different TOC!

 

[jag]

Shrewsbury people...

I won't start there until end of Jan but trying to figure the parking arrangement out ahead of time!

Where do people tend to park? Is there a secret gem out there? Do we get discounted rates?

Any hints / tips much appreciated!

Carpark Next to buttermarket , will get sorted for your normally when start academy.

 

[BOMPO83]

Hi guys i failed the written assessment once and managed to get another assessment that i haven't got a date for yet. I'm convinced i failed the first one because i used capital letters writing the report. Any thoughts? My handwriting is awful that's why i used capitals.

 

[RyanC87]

Hi guys i failed the written assessment once and managed to get another assessment that i haven't got a date for yet. I'm convinced i failed the first one because i used capital letters writing the report. Any thoughts? My handwriting is awful that's why i used capitals.

Did they tell you it was that. I had heard its not officially marked.
They do want it to be easily read, capitals wouldn't have failed but if they can't make out what it said maybe that.

 

[Rtay]

Hi all, can anyone tell me how long you have to wait for DMI?
Or if you know when there’s another round of them coming up?

Thanks

 

[RyanC87]

Depends. They tend to do blocks. So when they have enough for dmi they will email dates.

There's a few this week or next. But there's no set time it's just waiting for the email.

 

[Diedinium]

Hey guys, hoping someone can answer this:

I've seen it mentioned that during the first week there's some sort of test we have to do? I'm assuming it's some sort of maths/english test?

If so is it pretty basic or are they expecting some decent knowledge because I can hardly remember most of the maths I learnt at school at this point!

 

[johnnymarr]

Hi all

New to this forum but have been reading as i am currently going through the trainee train driver application process.

I just recently had my MMI interview as I passed the computer tests the same day. I tried to use the STAR method a lot during this, did anyone have any issues with it? I am unsure on how I actually did as they don't give much away.

 

[ThePeakNed]

Hi all

New to this forum but have been reading as i am currently going through the trainee train driver application process.

I just recently had my MMI interview as I passed the computer tests the same day. I tried to use the STAR method a lot during this, did anyone have any issues with it? I am unsure on how I actually did as they don't give much away.

I hate STAR as it's such a rigid structure to answer a question, and I feel a bit thick trying to form an answer round using it. But it does make it easier for them to score the answers, and I think in the MMI at least it's how they'd rather you answer.

You should find out in about a week.

 

[kallyvintage]

Hi all

New to this forum but have been reading as i am currently going through the trainee train driver application process.

I just recently had my MMI interview as I passed the computer tests the same day. I tried to use the STAR method a lot during this, did anyone have any issues with it? I am unsure on how I actually did as they don't give much away.

The MMI I found quite hard, due to the STAR method - as it isnt a natural way of answering a question to me, but I also felt I was being pressured or grilled, in my case it was with regards to safety. In the end I had to say something like ' I did it that way because that was the best way to ensure a safe outcome, and if it happened again I'd do everything exactly the same way'

You will come away second guessing yourself but its in the lap of the gods now.

The DMI I found a lot more relaxing and a breeze in comparison.

 

[HollywoodFC]

I would ditto the above without doubt. The MMI is more about the skills you have and they ask you to share those experiences,they push and pull to attempt to make you fluster, know your examples and be confident with them.

My DMI was more about me as a person I thought, personality, how you'd fit in at the station etc etc..

 

[RyanC87]

Hey guys, hoping someone can answer this:

I've seen it mentioned that during the first week there's some sort of test we have to do? I'm assuming it's some sort of maths/english test?

If so is it pretty basic or are they expecting some decent knowledge because I can hardly remember most of the maths I learnt at school at this point

You do some questions on computers in classroom. You all do it together. Starts basic then progresses. Doesn't matter what you score, its for the college to see how you'll do. It's got sod all to do with the train job, it's just a tick box for the apprenticeship

If you don't have gcse C in maths and English then you do college days at end. They teach you all you need to know and help you through the tests as best as possible. Nothing to stress over

 

[Diedinium]

You do some questions on computers in classroom. You all do it together. Starts basic then progresses. Doesn't matter what you score, its for the college to see how you'll do. It's got sod all to do with the train job, it's just a tick box for the apprenticeship

If you don't have gcse C in maths and English then you do college days at end. They teach you all you need to know and help you through the tests as best as possible. Nothing to stress over

Ah ok cool, figured it would be something like that.

Do they use the results from that test to determine if you're at "C" equivalent or do they just want to see the gcse certificates and the test is unrelated?

(Will try and find mine, been quite some time since I've needed to show them lol)

 

[RyanC87]

Ah ok cool, figured it would be something like that.

Do they use the results from that test to determine if you're at "C" equivalent or do they just want to see the gcse certificates and the test is unrelated?

(Will try and find mine, been quite some time since I've needed to show them lol)

No, the tests are supposedly to see what level you are at, and then they can offer support if needed. It's actually pointless to be fair, but all part of the apprenticeship side.

If you don't have Cs or the certificate you have to do the college week at the end. I did it, wasn't too bad, the guy who did it was great, had a laugh.l, easy week and quite chilled with radio on etc. If you do have the grades then you go front ending for a week

 

[ThePeakNed]

No, the tests are supposedly to see what level you are at, and then they can offer support if needed. It's actually pointless to be fair, but all part of the apprenticeship side.

If you don't have Cs or the certificate you have to do the college week at the end. I did it, wasn't too bad, the guy who did it was great, had a laugh.l, easy week and quite chilled with radio on etc. If you do have the grades then you go front ending for a week

Does it matter how old the grades are? Mine are a vintage 14 years old by now.

 

[Paddygee]

Does it matter how old the grades are? Mine are a vintage 14 years old by now.

Mine are back from 1985…

 

[Diedinium]

No, the tests are supposedly to see what level you are at, and then they can offer support if needed. It's actually pointless to be fair, but all part of the apprenticeship side.

If you don't have Cs or the certificate you have to do the college week at the end. I did it, wasn't too bad, the guy who did it was great, had a laugh.l, easy week and quite chilled with radio on etc. If you do have the grades then you go front ending for a week

Ah I see, thank you for clearing this up.

Luckily I managed to find my gcse certificates last night so got those if needed, I don't know about you, but I'd much rather do the cab front ending so thank god I still have them!

 

[RyanC87]

Does it matter how old the grades are? Mine are a vintage 14 years old by now.

No just needs to be whatever the equivalent is.
We had two from over 30 years ago

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Oct 2023 ==

Ah I see, thank you for clearing this up.

Luckily I managed to find my gcse certificates last night so got those if needed, I don't know about you, but I'd much rather do the cab front ending so thank god I still have them!

Yea its not the best course to have to do. It always depends on depot. I know cardiff mainline do college straightaway but the valleys line went straight into traction conversion. Can't comment on others mind

 

[Chrysalis]

Out of interest, regarding the GCSE certificates... do they accept A levels or equivalent instead? I don't have official documents of my GCSE certificates, only A level equivalents in the subjects.

 

[RyanC87]

Out of interest, regarding the GCSE certificates... do they accept A levels or equivalent instead? I don't have official documents of my GCSE certificates, only A level equivalents in the subjects.

Has to be the GCSE which is daft.

However they can look at a database, although this is hit and miss. You can also email the gcse provider and they can send a confirmation certificate. Think it's about £30

 

[Chrysalis]

Has to be the GCSE which is daft.

However they can look at a database, although this is hit and miss. You can also email the gcse provider and they can send a confirmation certificate. Think it's about £30

That's a little bit ridiculous. The reason I don't have them or equivalent is that I'm not actually British and in my home country you don't actually get official copies of the equivalent of our GCSEs. You use them to get into college then no one asks for them ever again, only proof of the equivalent of A levels or university degrees.

 

[RyanC87]

That's a little bit ridiculous. The reason I don't have them or equivalent is that I'm not actually British and in my home country you don't actually get official copies of the equivalent of our GCSEs. You use them to get into college then no one asks for them ever again, only proof of the equivalent of A levels or university degrees.

It's worth giving them that and seeing if the college will accept them. It's down to them rather than TFW. It could well be different based on you not having done GCSE. When you start you'll meet the college and they can tell you for certain.

One of the boys on my course had A level maths and couldn't get his gcse certificate and they wouldn't take it

 

[Chrysalis]

It's worth giving them that and seeing if the college will accept them. It's down to them rather than TFW. It could well be different based on you not having done GCSE. When you start you'll meet the college and they can tell you for certain.

One of the boys on my course had A level maths and couldn't get his gcse certificate and they wouldn't take it

Thanks, I'll try that if I get that far ahead (still in the application process for other TOCs).

I've done some maths and IT at university level and authored a couple of papers in academic English so it'd be hilarious if I have to go back and learn it at GCSE level

 

[ademuzzy]

Hello all, just looking for some clarity on the dials test.

What is the colour priorities on the dials?

Also, does the real test incorporate numbers?

 

[Stigy]

The MMI I found quite hard, due to the STAR method - as it isnt a natural way of answering a question to me, but I also felt I was being pressured or grilled, in my case it was with regards to safety. In the end I had to say something like ' I did it that way because that was the best way to ensure a safe outcome, and if it happened again I'd do everything exactly the same way'

You will come away second guessing yourself but its in the lap of the gods now.

The DMI I found a lot more relaxing and a breeze in comparison.

I found the MMI easier generally, because I knew what the questions were and could prepare for how I was going to answer. Admittedly you will be probed in the MMI, but if you have examples you’re confident of, it’s not generally too taxing. All that said, it also depends on the interviewer too.

 

[ThePeakNed]

Hello all, just looking for some clarity on the dials test.

What is the colour priorities on the dials?

Also, does the real test incorporate numbers?

4 varying shades of blue, and iirc it's lightest to darkest, and yes, it does incorporate numbers.

 

[ademuzzy]

Thanks Ned that is helpful. I’ve got my paper tests on the 31st. Fingers crossed.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Oct 2023 ==

4 varying shades of blue, and iirc it's lightest to darkest, and yes, it does incorporate numbers.

4 varying shades of blue, and iirc it's lightest to darkest, and yes, it does incorporate numbers.

 

[Tomtom1993]

Hello, I have the “paper tests” tomorrow after getting pst the application paper sift. What tests are classed as the paper tests please? Are the computer tests done in the same day or different day?

Email states I will be there for 4 hours

Thanks

 

[RyanC87]

Hello, I have the “paper tests” tomorrow after getting pst the application paper sift. What tests are classed as the paper tests please? Are the computer tests done in the same day or different day?

Email states I will be there for 4 hours

Thanks

They do the computer tests and mmi on a separate day if you pass the first lot

Paper is the group bourdon, dials, statement, telephone directory, and tones.

Pretty much everything you need to pass is in this thread.

 

[Tomtom1993]

They do the computer tests and mmi on a separate day if you pass the first lot

Paper is the group bourdon, dials, statement, telephone directory, and tones.

Pretty much everything you need to pass is in this thread.

Amazing thank you