Transport for Wales - Trainee Train Drivers

[ndjefc82]

Congratulations mate! Seems a fairly smooth process for yourself. We are all desperate for that call! Am I correct in saying they call from a mobile number?

Thanks!

Yes - the call was off a mobile number.

I can appreciate that I wasn't waiting long - But it still felt like an eternity. It's not lost on me how lucky I have been in comparison to others here.

Best of luck to all those who remain in talent pools.

 

[FlyLad17]

Thanks to everyone for your help on here.
Feeling extremely lucky.

Applied Oct 25

Interview Nov 25

Psychometrics completed Feb 26

Had confirmation that I am now in the talent pool for Chester. Fingers crossed for a short wait.

Best of luck to everybody else!

 

[baker_06]

I’m waiting for Shrewsbury. Anyone else waiting for this depot?

 

[VR494]

Congratulations mate! Seems a fairly smooth process for yourself. We are all desperate for that call! Am I correct in saying they call from a mobile number?

Unless you’re in the pool for vacancies up North or Mid Wales where there is a need for recruitment, then unfortunately you won’t be getting any calls soon.

The intake of candidates over the past three years has left Cardiff with a massive surplus of drivers. And with the cost of living the senior drivers are choosing to stay on.

The only two depots at the moment who will need more are Treherbert and Carmarthen.

Whether these will be filled with interest internally via transfer is unclear, however both are popular locations with drivers who want a retirement package, and to move away from the Cardiff commute and shift patterns.

 

[LoftyTD]

Unless you’re in the pool for vacancies up North or Mid Wales where there is a need for recruitment, then unfortunately you won’t be getting any calls soon.

The intake of candidates over the past three years has left Cardiff with a massive surplus of drivers. And with the cost of living the senior drivers are choosing to stay on.

The only two depots at the moment who will need more are Treherbert and Carmarthen.

Whether these will be filled with interest internally via transfer is unclear, however both are popular locations with drivers who want a retirement package, and to move away from the Cardiff commute and shift patterns.

I understand. Im in the pool until December 2028 so plenty of time. Ive not had confirmation of no courses for this year unlike how I did last year, I know they may not have courses planned right now but hopefully things change and the demand opens up for us.

 

[VR494]

I understand. Im in the pool until December 2028 so plenty of time. Ive not had confirmation of no courses for this year unlike how I did last year, I know they may not have courses planned right now but hopefully things change and the demand opens up for us.

The only hearsay among staff is there maybe a Treherbert/Camarthen split course at some point, that's if they can't get numbers to fill the vacancies internal. If you're in the pool until 2028 - then that's good news!

I have no doubt the 398's won't be the right traction for many colleagues, and they will either move to other TOC's, or retire. Conductor recruitment should also resume from May.

Keep on to the HR team, there's been staff changes there too, so don't let them forget you are still interested in the vacancy.

TFW is a great place to work, and the wait will be worth it.

 

[craigybagel]

With all due respect, basing predictions on recruitment based on the fact you really don't like a particular type of train is grossly unfair on those reading this thread who don't know any better.

For all the people in the talent pools, both North and South - if anyone outside of the recruitment or driver manager team gives you a definite answer, they're talking out of their posterior. Sadly it's the way it goes - the only people who can really give accurate answers aren't going to be posting them here. And trying to second guess recruitment policy is a fools errand.

Most of us have been in talent pools; it's frustrating, but it's worth the wait. Try to keep your heads down, get on with your life, and hopefully there will be good news soon. And l in the vast majority of cases, there's a good job waiting for you at the end.

 

[VR494]

With all due respect, basing predictions on recruitment based on the fact you really don't like a particular type of train is grossly unfair on those reading this thread who don't know any better.

For all the people in the talent pools, both North and South - if anyone outside of the recruitment or driver manager team gives you a definite answer, they're talking out of their posterior. Sadly it's the way it goes - the only people who can really give accurate answers aren't going to be posting them here. And trying to second guess recruitment policy is a fools errand.

Most of us have been in talent pools; it's frustrating, but it's worth the wait. Try to keep your heads down, get on with your life, and hopefully there will be good news soon. And l in the vast majority of cases, there's a good job waiting for you at the end.

The predictions on recruitment could very well have something to do with a certain 398, and what is to come. I can't see many senior colleagues wanting to work them. Combined with future terms that are to be forced upon CVL drivers, they will want new starters to brain wash. The driver's don't know half of it. If you get a call, make sure you go mainline!

The fact is, there are way too many drivers in the South at the moment, the spares are endless, and if they wanted to, they could force redundancy on the department due to the costs, so far it has not happened.

 

[843185288]

Do you think its terrible that we get mor information on here than from the company? We used to get an update every so often, but nothing for 12 months

 

[craigybagel]

Do you think its terrible that we get mor information on here than from the company? We used to get an update every so often, but nothing for 12 months

That depends on how you look at it. There is information on this thread, but some of it is complete nonsense and would be best off ignored. What you're hearing direct from the company you know will at least be accurate.

 

[LoftyTD]

That depends on how you look at it. There is information on this thread, but some of it is complete nonsense and would be best off ignored. What you're hearing direct from the company you know will at least be accurate.

Totally agree. It is nice to have some sort of idea on what is going on but best to take everything with a pinch of salt.

 

[BOMPO83]

Anybody had an issue with your profile on tfw jobs ? Im in the talent pool till 2028 but when I log in its not showing my application.

 

[VR494]

Anybody had an issue with your profile on tfw jobs ? Im in the talent pool till 2028 but when I log in its not showing my application.

You will need to raise this with the recruitment team, they will need your original application ref, and should be able to update your account. There's still no movement on recruitment though at the moment.

 

[LoftyTD]

Anybody had an issue with your profile on tfw jobs ? Im in the talent pool till 2028 but when I log in its not showing my application.

Mine all showing as normal on the old site so worth querying it mate

 

[BOMPO83]

Ah its ok its not on the newer site, found it on comeonboard

 

[843185288]

You will need to raise this with the recruitment team, they will need your original application ref, and should be able to update your account. There's still no movement on recruitment though at the moment

Any extra news on recruitment mate? Spoke to manager yesterday and he said the landscape is continually changing

 

[VR494]

Any extra news on recruitment mate? Spoke to manager yesterday and he said the landscape is continually changing

For the South, particularly Cardiff the mainline is still very well established.

Carmarthen is awaiting new accommodation and are actively seeking transfer requests at the moment for anyone wishing to join the team there. If numbers can’t be reached, I think this will be put out for trainees eventually.

The CVL is currently revolving around the 398 and the 4 trains per hour uplift. It’s still in dispute on various levels.

Treherbert is waiting on a new depot to be completed, then there will be an uplift in driving colleagues there too. Currently there are limited transfer numbers for this area. So it looks like there could be a recruitment there too.

Taffs Well is very much the most popular depot at the moment for colleagues wanting to move out of Cardiff. There are no planned moves for the May TT change.

The north has ongoing recruitment in various stages of the process, particularly Chester where there has been a significant increase in trainees this year.

Management are currently being kept in the dark to be honest, but I personally don’t think they will do anything until it’s too late again and there will be another rush to get trainees into the business. More are looking at retirement, and some don’t want to do drive the 398 product all together - due to the door procedure.

The pool has been extended for a reason, and worse case scenario you may get a course date with a conditional agreement of passing the assessment again, this has happened before.

 

[ThePeakNed]

For the South, particularly Cardiff the mainline is still very well established.

Carmarthen is awaiting new accommodation and are actively seeking transfer requests at the moment for anyone wishing to join the team there. If numbers can’t be reached, I think this will be put out for trainees eventually.

The CVL is currently revolving around the 398 and the 4 trains per hour uplift. It’s still in dispute on various levels.

Treherbert is waiting on a new depot to be completed, then there will be an uplift in driving colleagues there too. Currently there are limited transfer numbers for this area. So it looks like there could be a recruitment there too.

Taffs Well is very much the most popular depot at the moment for colleagues wanting to move out of Cardiff. There are no planned moves for the May TT change.

The north has ongoing recruitment in various stages of the process, particularly Chester where there has been a significant increase in trainees this year.

Management are currently being kept in the dark to be honest, but I personally don’t think they will do anything until it’s too late again and there will be another rush to get trainees into the business. More are looking at retirement, and some don’t want to do drive the 398 product all together - due to the door procedure.

The pool has been extended for a reason, and worse case scenario you may get a course date with a conditional agreement of passing the assessment again, this has happened before.

To add to this.

Shrewsbury is currently fairly stable. Full compliment just now, with two drivers retiring this year, one has just started their handling hours with an instructor, and one is just about to finish training school, so I dare say we’re set for quite a while again.

 

[FlyLad17]

Do opportunities arise often to change base within the company or are they quite rare?
Has anybody had any course dates offered for Chester beyond June yet?

 

[VR494]

Do opportunities arise often to change base within the company or are they quite rare?
Has anybody had any course dates offered for Chester beyond June yet?

Yes, you are able to have one lateral movement in your career. However, you will need to wait at least two years before you can apply to be placed on the waiting list for your chosen location.

 

[scottydmartin1]

L 7'

Has anybody heard back from shortlisting for other northern depots? Crewe/llandudno? I’m guessing they are soon to follow if not already sending some out

How did you get on? I applied for Junction too, had DMI on Feb 20th, paper tests in Chester on April 19th

 

[LoftyTD]

L 7'

How did you get on? I applied for Junction too, had DMI on Feb 20th, paper tests in Chester on April 19th

Good luck for your paper tests!

 

[843185288]

Just heard from a good authority that there is the potential for 6 courses this year in south wales due to units ramping up in taffs well. I jave been told this every year mind so it could be miles off. Any further on this VR494? Thank you

 

[LoftyTD]

Just heard from a good authority that there is the potential for 6 courses this year in south wales due to units ramping up in taffs well. I jave been told this every year mind so it could be miles off. Any further on this VR494? Thank you

Fingers crossed your source is correct, we are all desperate. 6 courses would likely empty the majority of the Cardiff talent pool too.

 

[VR494]

The official training is commencing from next week on the 398 fleet for Taffs Well crews.

If any courses are to come up, I’d imagine it will be towards the end of this year. A few more are about to throw in the retirement paperwork too!

Treherbert is very likely to be an option, there’s a big upgrade taking place there soon with new accommodation.

I have heard there could be potential for 40 new drivers on the CVL. 5 x 8 on a course.

 

[843185288]

Thanks for that vr494. Just had a look at transport for wales jobs and was in shock seeing that they are advertising for cardiff mainline qualified drivers! Does that mean a huge batch of retirement age people are beginning to retire? Thank you

 

[racecar80a]

Hello all,

Wondering of anyone knows when the next job applications are coming out for trainee drivers for TfW?

Anyone advise on how frequent they have recruited/last initial online paper sift and do they advise on the TfW page for a certain time i.e. 24-48 hours and then close due to the high interest of candidates.

Good luck to all who are still awaiting and managed to get into the recruitment/pool.

Any advice and info would be great

Thanks

 

[LoftyTD]

Hello all,

Wondering of anyone knows when the next job applications are coming out for trainee drivers for TfW?

Anyone advise on how frequent they have recruited/last initial online paper sift and do they advise on the TfW page for a certain time i.e. 24-48 hours and then close due to the high interest of candidates.

Good luck to all who are still awaiting and managed to get into the recruitment/pool.

Any advice and info would be great

Thanks

The last recruitment for Cardiff was Aug 2023 and we are still waiting for courses, other areas have recruited more recently but I dont know specific dates for those. The job adverts for trainee drivers often will get taken down early due to high demand so if you see a job advert, don't put it off do it asap!

 

[racecar80a]

The last recruitment for Cardiff was Aug 2023 and we are still waiting for courses, other areas have recruited more recently but I dont know specific dates for those. The job adverts for trainee drivers often will get taken down early due to high demand so if you see a job advert, don't put it off do it asap!

Thanks for your reply.

Guess I will need to get preparing already so my application is on standby to submit ASAP.

Is the application specifically a 500 word type question(s) or is it competency type based ones ?

Appreciate your advice

 

[craigybagel]

In the north they're still working through the last batch of applications, with candidates having done paper tests over the last few weeks waiting to hear if they've been successful. If they do get through that phase and the computer tests that follow they'll be joining a talent pool that hasn't been emptied yet.

In the South they've just advertised for qualified positions for Cardiff mainline.

So it's hard to see any more jobs being advertised any time soon - but at the same time it's impossible to second guess railway recruitment, stranger things have happened!