Nothing as of yet, im in the same boat. Im predicting (and hoping) we may start to hear towards the end of the year maybe from September time but thats me purely guessing. I know someone who is starting a course in August and was informed of this in December.. not sure if theres any sort of consistency with when they contact us for start dates.
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Transport for Wales - Trainee Train Drivers
- Thread starter L33mcc
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Same here, in talent pool waiting patiently. Will post if I hear anything.Nothing as of yet, im in the same boat. Im predicting (and hoping) we may start to hear towards the end of the year maybe from September time but thats me purely guessing. I know someone who is starting a course in August and was informed of this in December.. not sure if theres any sort of consistency with when they contact us for start dates.
BOMPO83
Member
ThanksSame here, in talent pool waiting patiently. Will post if I hear anything.
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Does anyone know how many drivers TFW are short? Trying to gauge if I'll get a start in 2025. Might take voluntary redundancy where I am.
I work for TFW, and been told they’ve cancelled a couple of trainee courses up until the end of the year as they will have enough drivers at some depots (Crewe / Shrewsbury) and too many sat around doing nothing at other depots awaiting instructors (Chester). I wouldn’t be chucking in my notice if I were you.
BOMPO83
Member
Ah ok. I'm in cardiff. I got other jobs to go to temporary just contemplating a payout before I get the nod with tfw.
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BOMPO83
Member
You think ? Was told in interview they don't like people expiring from the talent pool
It's possible it may never happen so unless you are comfortable in finding alternative work I wouldn't take voluntary.
I’d be interested in this also. Is there anyone here that has expired from the talent pool?It's possible it may never happen so unless you are comfortable in finding alternative work I wouldn't take voluntary.
craigybagel
Established Member
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- 25 Oct 2012
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It's possible it may never happen so unless you are comfortable in finding alternative work I wouldn't take voluntary.
You think ? Was told in interview they don't like people expiring from the talent pool
Of course they don't want to see people fall out of the talent pool; it means all the time and money invested into getting an applicant that far is wasted. But it does occasionally happen. Plans change. Sadly you can never take being in the talent pool as a guarantee you're going to have a job at the end of it.I’d be interested in this also. Is there anyone here that has expired from the talent pool?
They may not like it, but it could happen. Until you’ve received your contract, I wouldn’t be chucking in a resignation or voluntary redundancy.You think ? Was told in interview they don't like people expiring from the talent pool
More drivers have decided to stay on for a year or two more that were forecasted to retire, due to the salary they’re now earning, so TFW are now oversubscribed and scaling back their courses for new drivers.
Sit tight and wait patiently. It will pay off for us! I emailed the recruitment team asking for an update a few weeks back for Cardiff and a lady replied from her personal email saying what we already knew about courses for 25/26. Someone my barber knows who is a driver for tfw at Cardiff says they have a great need for drivers over the next few years (they needed 180 new drivers by end of 2024) but again we don't know what is happening internally.Ah ok. I'm in cardiff. I got other jobs to go to temporary just contemplating a payout before I get the nod with tfw.
Also my friend works as a driver at Cardiff and it sounds like they really do try to select everyone in the talent pools from what he said, describing the job as ‘mine’ so that gives some reassurance.
The wait will be worth it.
kallyvintage
Member
Sit tight and wait patiently. It will pay off for us! I emailed the recruitment team asking for an update a few weeks back for Cardiff and a lady replied from her personal email saying what we already knew about courses for 25/26. Someone my barber knows who is a driver for tfw at Cardiff says they have a great need for drivers over the next few years (they needed 180 new drivers by end of 2024) but again we don't know what is happening internally.
Also my friend works as a driver at Cardiff and it sounds like they really do try to select everyone in the talent pools from what he said, describing the job as ‘mine’ so that gives some reassurance.
The wait will be worth it.
Beware that if they do another round of recruitment, the talent pool is graded. It's possible that someone near the 'bottom' could be pushed further down by more excellent potential candidates coming through. My friend had this with Avanti.. He was in the talent pool for ages, more recruitment happened then didn't hear a thing back and he timed out of the pool.
You really aren't guaranteed anything until you have been offered a course date and a contract to sign, as others have said. Its just another step in the process to overcome but this time its out of your hands.
Totally agree, just waiting game now unfortunately.Beware that if they do another round of recruitment, the talent pool is graded. It's possible that someone near the 'bottom' could be pushed further down by more excellent potential candidates coming through. My friend had this with Avanti.. He was in the talent pool for ages, more recruitment happened then didn't hear a thing back and he timed out of the pool.
You really aren't guaranteed anything until you have been offered a course date and a contract to sign, as others have said. Its just another step in the process to overcome but this time its out of your hands.
843185288
Member
I am in talent pool and have been told next course is currently summer 2025 possible longer. Hope that they are wrong
johnnymarr
Member
I know a couple of managers in TFW and they told me they are looking to take on again in Feb 2025
I passed my DMI recently for the North and the managers said that the talent pool is pretty empty at the min and they were looking at finalising courses for next year by October. Fingers crossed we hear something soonAny further updates/inside knowledge for us lot in the talent pool?
Congrats on making the talent pool. Thats promising news! Hopefully it’s the same for Cardiff.I passed my DMI recently for the North and the managers said that the talent pool is pretty empty at the min and they were looking at finalising courses for next year by October. Fingers crossed we hear something soon
Cheers mate! Hopefully not too long for us. Will let you know when I hear anythingCongrats on making the talent pool. Thats promising news! Hopefully it’s the same for Cardiff.
BOMPO83
Member
How much are trainees on now after the pay rises ? Cheers
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And when you pass out ?
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And when you pass out ?
Trainee will be £38770 and Post Qualified will be £63912 after the agreed pay rise in December (4.1%).
There is another pay rise agreed for April next year which will be whatever the RPI rate is. All part of the DRI 3 package to bring Sunday into the working week for TFW.
TFW are outside of the recently settled ASLEF dispute.
There is another pay rise agreed for April next year which will be whatever the RPI rate is. All part of the DRI 3 package to bring Sunday into the working week for TFW.
TFW are outside of the recently settled ASLEF dispute.
craigybagel
Established Member
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- 25 Oct 2012
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- 5,826
Just to add (as it varies between TOCs) you'll be on the trainee rate until you get your golden handshake and drive a train solo. You are then on the post qualified rate for 2 years from that date, before you finally go up to the full 100%.Trainee will be £38770 and Post Qualified will be £63912 after the agreed pay rise in December (4.1%).
There is another pay rise agreed for April next year which will be whatever the RPI rate is. All part of the DRI 3 package to bring Sunday into the working week for TFW.
TFW are outside of the recently settled ASLEF dispute.
BOMPO83
Member
Thanks guys. Just waiting for a start date in CardiffTrainee will be £38770 and Post Qualified will be £63912 after the agreed pay rise in December (4.1%).
There is another pay rise agreed for April next year which will be whatever the RPI rate is. All part of the DRI 3 package to bring Sunday into the working week for TFW.
TFW are outside of the recently settled ASLEF dispute.
BOMPO83
Member
Hi everyone. Looks like I'll be made redundant in 3 months. Anyone got any news on cardiff courses ? Thanks
Nothing as of yet, still sitting tight. Hoping to hear by the end of the year for a 2025 start. If anything changes I’ll share hereHi everyone. Looks like I'll be made redundant in 3 months. Anyone got any news on cardiff courses ? Thanks
ThePeakNed
Member
MedigoldWhat company does the medical for tfw
Still waiting and checking here daily. A driver I know thinks theres no new courses until at least March but fingers crossed wont be too long and we hear something soon!Anyone hearing any news on 2025 start dates?