WMT Driver Pool - 2021/22

[Slimjim101]

Has anyone managed to get a response from WMT? Getting no reply from the recruitment email address.

 

[BAZ7369]

There is currently a backlog of trainees awaiting commencement/completion of training. The bottom of the queue are still yet to receive a start date and this is anticipated at being early 2024.

 

[PC2TD]

There is currently a backlog of trainees awaiting commencement/completion of training. The bottom of the queue are still yet to receive a start date and this is anticipated at being early 2024.

Hi mate, was that the latest update from recruitment? I've just had a response today saying that they're awaiting location and course availability and they expect to have an update towards the end of August. I'm waiting on a medical so I'm hoping that means it'll be done towards the end of this year.

 

[BAZ7369]

Course start dates vary depending on the depot that you’re going to be operating from. Good luck

 

[Benjaminmorris]

Dont know if anyone can help.
1st applied for WMT Trainee Driver in early 2020.
Did all assignments sent via email and online interviews which I passed.
Then had 1 day in Birmingham 2021 doing exams and tests which I passed
Then had 1 day in Watford April 2022 doing computer based tests and a one to one interview which I passed.

Was just wondering whats the next step?
Also does anyone know how long the whole process could take before you know if you have the job or not.
Feel in limbo as I really want to be a Train Driver but over 3 years have been wasted just waiting for WMT to decide if they want me or not.
Not sure if I should give up and retrain for something else but in 6 months time dont want to get the call up for the Train Job.
Has anyone got any contact emails or numbers please.

 

[LCC106]

I should certainly be contacting them! If no-one replies, was there not an email address on the original application or any email addresses you’ve had contact from?

 

[cluncastle7029]

Dont know if anyone can help.
1st applied for WMT Trainee Driver in early 2020.
Did all assignments sent via email and online interviews which I passed.
Then had 1 day in Birmingham 2021 doing exams and tests which I passed
Then had 1 day in Watford April 2022 doing computer based tests and a one to one interview which I passed.

Was just wondering whats the next step?
Also does anyone know how long the whole process could take before you know if you have the job or not.
Feel in limbo as I really want to be a Train Driver but over 3 years have been wasted just waiting for WMT to decide if they want me or not.
Not sure if I should give up and retrain for something else but in 6 months time dont want to get the call up for the Train Job.
Has anyone got any contact emails or numbers please.

Same boat as you. I have recently emailed the last person who responded to me back in early Spring saying potential update in Summer but have had no response this time.

Not sure where to go from here now or who to contact

 

[susheelbhutta]

Yeh there’s a few of us on here that are in the position of having done the Driver Manager Interview, and are awaiting a medical and then potential start date.

Last we heard was potentially hearing something towards the winter but haven’t heard since.

The last time I emailed recruitment was back in early July and my response was that “they were still in the same position awaiting for course start dates”, but it’s all dependant on depot selection and how many candidates have selected which depots, until there are enough candidates at those depots to fill a course.

 

[cluncastle7029]

Yeh there’s a few of us on here that are in the position of having done the Driver Manager Interview, and are awaiting a medical and then potential start date.

Last we heard was potentially hearing something towards the winter but haven’t heard since.

The last time I emailed recruitment was back in early July and my response was that “they were still in the same position awaiting for course start dates”, but it’s all dependant on depot selection and how many candidates have selected which depots, until there are enough candidates at those depots to fill a course.

Thanks for the update

 

[Slimjim101]

Dont know if anyone can help.
1st applied for WMT Trainee Driver in early 2020.
Did all assignments sent via email and online interviews which I passed.
Then had 1 day in Birmingham 2021 doing exams and tests which I passed
Then had 1 day in Watford April 2022 doing computer based tests and a one to one interview which I passed.

Was just wondering whats the next step?
Also does anyone know how long the whole process could take before you know if you have the job or not.
Feel in limbo as I really want to be a Train Driver but over 3 years have been wasted just waiting for WMT to decide if they want me or not.
Not sure if I should give up and retrain for something else but in 6 months time dont want to get the call up for the Train Job.
Has anyone got any contact emails or numbers please.

I normally email the recruitment email address. The responses used to be pretty fast but it's not anymore. Seeing the numbers of us waiting it make sense why they take a while to respond. Same as you I started in 2020, and I have had my DMI, and medical and a start date (which was later pulled). It's hugely frustrating, especially as they need drivers. I'm really not sure what's going on. I wish they'd give updates.

 

[Benjaminmorris]

Thanks for the replies.
At least im not the only one waiting.
Just hope something comes of all this waiting and not an email saying your not needed anymore and 2 to 3 years wasted waiting.

 

[puffpuffgive]

Anyone else get an email invitation for a video interview today? I applied a couple of years ago, got told I was on the talent pool after doing the online tests but didn’t hear anything more until today.

 

[susheelbhutta]

Mare

Anyone else get an email invitation for a video interview today? I applied a couple of years ago, got told I was on the talent pool after doing the online tests but didn’t hear anything more until today.

mate that’s great news for some of us to hear, sounds like they’re back getting recruits in to fill spaces for courses. Good luck with your video interview!

 

[Andy4052]

Great news, glad there is some movement in the recrutment process. Im still waiting on the DMI.

 

[benji]

I too got the email, but I’ve had no time to do it as I’ve been working everyday since they sent the invite, does doing it on deadline day send the wrong message?

 

[LCC106]

I’d be prioritising it personally, especially to allow for potential system glitches.

 

[dereksingh291]

Has anyone started with West Midlands Trains as a trainee train driver for Bletchley, Birmingham and Worcester and will West Midlands Trains be recruiting for trainee train drivers again across all depots?

(Just asking that’s all)

 

[Aviator88]

Has anyone started with West Midlands Trains as a trainee train driver for Bletchley, Birmingham and Worcester and will West Midlands Trains be recruiting for trainee train drivers again across all depots?

(Just asking that’s all)

I know someone who started as a trainee at Bletchley a few months ago.

Not sure about ongoing requirements.

 

[dereksingh291]

Do West Midlands Trains recruit for Trainee Train Drivers internally for staff who work for the company?

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Do West Midlands Trains recruit for Trainee Train Drivers internally for staff who work for the company?

Yes, but trainee driver positions are almost always publicly advertised. It doesn't give you any real advantage

 

[puffpuffgive]

Does anyone know how long the wait to do OPC assessments usually is? I’ve got through the video interview and now waiting for dates to become available for the tests.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Does anyone know how long the wait to do OPC assessments usually is? I’ve got through the video interview and now waiting for dates to become available for the tests.

I think I waited about a week for the result of the video interview, and had the 1st OPC tests about a month later. Same again for the 2nd OPC tests.

 

[puffpuffgive]

I think I waited about a week for the result of the video interview, and had the 1st OPC tests about a month later. Same again for the 2nd OPC tests.

Thanks

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Nov 2023 ==

Can anyone tell me what the structure of the OPC assessments is? Which tests on stage 1 and which on stage 2? I want to start studying but not sure which tests to study.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Thanks

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Nov 2023 ==

Can anyone tell me what the structure of the OPC assessments is? Which tests on stage 1 and which on stage 2? I want to start studying but not sure which tests to study.

If you do a search on the forum it will give you the list. It's split into 2 separate dates, 1st one is the paper testing (normally done in Birmingham) followed by the computer testing and MMI down at OPC in Watford.

You don't really need to do too much in advance, I found the practice material good enough to pass all tests twice.

 

[dereksingh291]

Hi guys I am new to this forum, I would like to become a train driver for West Midlands Trains in the Birmingham area and I would like to know when West Midlands Trains will be recruiting for trainee train drivers in the Birmingham area including other depots and are people waiting to do the testing and interviews and courses but also are people waiting in talent pools for these roles and has the backlog of training been completed yet for the trainee train drivers with West Midlands Trains?

 

[SCDR_WMR]

There is constant recruitment cycles for trainee train crew. Pretty much all depots will hire annually due to the high average age of the role.

There is always testing and interviews ongoing within the company and there is only backlog at New St and Snow Hill AFAIK.

The company does use talent pools, though the chance of not being offered a job are usually low unlike some TOCs.

Make sure you set up job alerts and check the recruitment page regularly as adverts rarely last a week.

 

[dereksingh291]

There is constant recruitment cycles for trainee train crew. Pretty much all depots will hire annually due to the high average age of the role.

There is always testing and interviews ongoing within the company and there is only backlog at New St and Snow Hill AFAIK.

The company does use talent pools, though the chance of not being offered a job are usually low unlike some TOCs.

Make sure you set up job alerts and check the recruitment page regularly as adverts rarely last a week.

Any idea when the backlog is due to be sorted out at Snow Hill & New Street be sorted out before they recruit again for these depots?

 

[Archvile]

There is constant recruitment cycles for trainee train crew. Pretty much all depots will hire annually due to the high average age of the role.

There is always testing and interviews ongoing within the company and there is only backlog at New St and Snow Hill AFAIK.

The company does use talent pools, though the chance of not being offered a job are usually low unlike some TOCs.

Make sure you set up job alerts and check the recruitment page regularly as adverts rarely last a week.

The last trainee driver advert from LNWR dates back to 2020 iirc?

 

[SCDR_WMR]

The last trainee driver advert from LNWR dates back to 2020 iirc?

There's definitely been some since. I was in the process last summer.

 

[dereksingh291]

Any reason why West Midlands Trains haven’t been recruiting for trainee train drivers since June 2020 cos that’s when I applied but wasn’t successful after failing the video interview?