WMT Driver Pool - 2021/22

[Sparkles]

What depot are you going for?

Worcester

 

[Benjaminmorris]

I'm in the same boat as you, Ben. Passed my assessments on the 12th April and have been waiting ever since. I emailed the WMT contact and she advised that they were waiting for the Driver Management Team to confirm their availability, but that was 4 weeks ago now. Hoping for a date soon, as the uncertainty is killing me.

Thanks for the update.
Thought it was just me that hadn't heard anything.
Yeah the hardest part is the waiting around.
Feel like I'm on pause as if I do pass the next stage and need to do classroom training for so many months can't book holidays etc.
But if I fail the last stage and haven't booked anything feel like I'm missing out.
Hopefully we all hear something soon and will post back on here if I do to keep everyone up to date.

 

[Rick Steam]

Hi,
I applied for a Trainee Train Driver and I attended the last of my assessment days in Watford on April 11th 2022.
I was sent an email saying I had past this stage and would hear back about an interview but am still waiting.
Does anyone now how long this may take as its been 2 months now with no communication.
Thanks

Hi Ben,
I'm also at the same stage as you, (I also attended Watford on April 11th). I have also chased it up with an email, about 2 months ago now, but got the same response - that they are waiting for interview availability. Fingers crossed we'll hear something soon.

 

[Benjaminmorris]

Hi everyone.

Been nearly two months since last message and was just wondering if anyone has had any dates for interviews yet from Watford April 11th, 2022, Talent pool?

I've had zero communication with West Midlands Trains and was just wondering if anyone else has had more joy?

Thanks Ben

 

[JJ4]

Hi everyone.

Been nearly two months since last message and was just wondering if anyone has had any dates for interviews yet from Watford April 11th, 2022, Talent pool?

I've had zero communication with West Midlands Trains and was just wondering if anyone else has had more joy?

Thanks Ben

Nothing yet Ben,

I emailed middle of August for an update and was told strike action was impacting availability. I would assume that there won't be any updates until the strikes finish as they'll have a better understanding of where they stand. I've put it to the back of my head for now, when it happens it happens. Hopefully we'll hear soon though!

 

[Rick Steam]

Hi everyone.

Been nearly two months since last message and was just wondering if anyone has had any dates for interviews yet from Watford April 11th, 2022, Talent pool?

I've had zero communication with West Midlands Trains and was just wondering if anyone else has had more joy?

Thanks Ben

Hi Ben,

No I’ve not heard anything either.

 

[dereksingh291]

Any idea if/when West Midlands Trains will be recruiting for trainee train drivers again?

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Any idea if/when West Midlands Trains will be recruiting for trainee train drivers again?

Definitely will be for all depots, but some have a number of trainees who are still waiting for DIs so may be January. Keep checking and they will come up

 

[Slimjim101]

Just reading through as was curious about if there are many waiting to start with WMT? I've spent the last few months just waiting patiently. I sat my MMI at the OPC in Mid Dec 21. Found out a few days later that I had passed and went on to do my DMI in Feb 2022. I was told within 2 hours of leaving the DMI that I had passed. The conditional offer of employment came through the next day. I went through the phone calls with HR, the onboarding portal and then waited until the medical (which after a delay due to getting Covid) was done at the end of Apr. I was given a start date for mid Jun. I wanted a week off before starting with WMT so one month and a week before starting gave my notice to my current employer. 2 days later came the phone call saying that due to covid and other issues they were delaying the start date of the course to an unknown date. I was gutted. I've contact twice since then (last time Sep) and just been told that there are no updates. Totally understand that the strike action will now be having its own effects but can't help but feel in no mans land. I don't mind waiting, but without any date or rough idea when I may be put on the next course is frustrating. Is anyone else currently waiting to start?

 

[susheelbhutta]

I did my driver manager interview at the end of April, which I passed, and I was told to wait for a medical date. I last contacted WMT a few weeks ago and was told that they were waiting for stations and course dates, iv had that response every time I have checked in. So I’m also waiting patiently for the next step.

 

[Slimjim101]

I did my driver manager interview at the end of April, which I passed, and I was told to wait for a medical date. I last contacted WMT a few weeks ago and was told that they were waiting for stations and course dates, iv had that response every time I have checked in. So I’m also waiting patiently for the next step.

So are you still waiting for your medical?

 

[susheelbhutta]

Yep, still awaiting medical and DBS check. I have a friend who started a little before you and he’s also waiting for his training to recommence. Think it’s just a waiting game.

So are you still waiting for your medical?

 

[Slimjim101]

Ah ok, that sounds like it ties in with what they have said. Hopefully they are able to resolve soon, but all we can do is sit, be patient and wait. Maybe once they have resolved when the training courses are due to re-start they may combine all those waiting onto the next course. Would be good to meet some others who have been through this long process.

 

[cluncastle7029]

Yep, still awaiting medical and DBS check. I have a friend who started a little before you and he’s also waiting for his training to recommence. Think it’s just a waiting game.

I am in the same boat as you.

Was told that spaces on the course starting September (which is what I was told would be my potential start date) just gone had been allocated to other candidates that had been waiting since early 2022 for a start date

Would be given 2023 course start dates when they have them confirmed.

My suspicion is that there is potentially a lack of training instructors for the practical part of the course but could be wrong as have heard stories of people completing theory side and then sat waiting for practical

 

[Cranky]

I am in the same boat as you.

Was told that spaces on the course starting September (which is what I was told would be my potential start date) just gone had been allocated to other candidates that had been waiting since early 2022 for a start date

Would be given 2023 course start dates when they have them confirmed.

My suspicion is that there is potentially a lack of training instructors for the practical part of the course but could be wrong as have heard stories of people completing theory side and then sat waiting for practical

Massive delays waiting for di's , I'm not surprised they have delayed the new intake

 

[PC2TD]

I did my driver manager interview at the end of April, which I passed, and I was told to wait for a medical date. I last contacted WMT a few weeks ago and was told that they were waiting for stations and course dates, iv had that response every time I have checked in. So I’m also waiting patiently for the next step.

Looks like I'm in the same position - did my DMI mid April and was told I'd passed and to await instructions for a medical and DBS check. Chased a few times and was told in October that they're awaiting start dates for 2023, so fingers crossed we hear something soon! Applied for Wolverhampton as my first choice.

The wait is a killer though!

 

[susheelbhutta]

Looks like I'm in the same position - did my DMI mid April and was told I'd passed and to await instructions for a medical and DBS check. Chased a few times and was told in October that they're awaiting start dates for 2023, so fingers crossed we hear something soon! Applied for Wolverhampton as my first choice.

The wait is a killer though!

You heard anything since pal? Or perhaps emailed and got any more information?

The wait is definitely killer

 

[PC2TD]

You heard anything since pal? Or perhaps emailed and got any more information?

The wait is definitely killer

Not heard anything unfortunately - I'd emailed Olivia a few times since passing but similar to you, her last update in October said they were waiting on course dates and locations and will update us as soon as. I think I'll give it til Feb and if I hear nothing, I'll drop her an email.

What were your choices?

 

[susheelbhutta]

Not heard anything unfortunately - I'd emailed Olivia a few times since passing but similar to you, her last update in October said they were waiting on course dates and locations and will update us as soon as. I think I'll give it til Feb and if I hear nothing, I'll drop her an email.

What were your choices?

Yeh similar to the responses I was getting.

I applied for New Street / Snow Hill, I was planning on holding off a few more weeks and seeing if I hear anything. Will keep you updated.

 

[Ladder23]

Also waiting, I’m gonna hold of asking, don’t think emailing will speed anything up, I’m sure they want it done as quick as we all do

 

[JJ4]

Have been waiting for my DMI since April last year so have chased every few months. Emailed before Christmas and was told they were looking to start the next intake up in March so probably worth hanging fire until then

 

[Ladder23]

Have been waiting for my DMI since April last year so have chased every few months. Emailed before Christmas and was told they were looking to start the next intake up in March so probably worth hanging fire until then

That sounds fair!

 

[PC2TD]

Bit of an update - decided to email Olivia this week, unfortunately had an automated response saying she'd left WMT and to email recruitment.
Just had a response back from recruitment saying that headcount requirements are being reviewed for 2023 and they may have an update for me as they head towards the Summer!!

 

[Talentpool2020]

Bit of an update - decided to email Olivia this week, unfortunately had an automated response saying she'd left WMT and to email recruitment.
Just had a response back from recruitment saying that headcount requirements are being reviewed for 2023 and they may have an update for me as they head towards the Summer!!

Seems like an even longer wait towards what is already a long wait, what stage are you at in the recruitment?

 

[Ladder23]

Shame Olivia has left she was a pleasure to deal with

 

[JimClark]

I emailed back in December and had a similar response. They suggested the DMI interview may take place towards the end of the year..... Nothing specific though

 

[PC2TD]

Seems like an even longer wait towards what is already a long wait, what stage are you at in the recruitment?

Was told in April that I'd passed the final interview, was then asked to provide my depot choices, holidays booked, length of notice period, confirmed my contact details etc and was told that a medical and then start date would be upcoming.
I'm guessing the recent strikes haven't helped with recruitment either.
How about yourself?

 

[Talentpool2020]

Was told in April that I'd passed the final interview, was then asked to provide my depot choices, holidays booked, length of notice period, confirmed my contact details etc and was told that a medical and then start date would be upcoming.
I'm guessing the recent strikes haven't helped with recruitment either.
How about yourself?

I'm still awaiting my DMI, wait must be a killer considering you was all set to go, hopefully the ball gets rolling soon.

 

[cluncastle7029]

Was told in April that I'd passed the final interview, was then asked to provide my depot choices, holidays booked, length of notice period, confirmed my contact details etc and was told that a medical and then start date would be upcoming.
I'm guessing the recent strikes haven't helped with recruitment either.
How about yourself?

Same here

 

[Ladder23]

I'm still awaiting my DMI, wait must be a killer considering you was all set to go, hopefully the ball gets rolling soon.

Same as me!