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Transport for Wales - Trainee Train Drivers

Mr Wayne

Member
Joined
2 Aug 2020
Messages
13
Location
Staffordshire
Hi all, just a quick question. I have an assessment soon at Cardiff. What's the best place for parking please?

Cheers

Opposite St Patrick’s house across Penarth Rd there is parking available by the train station, I stayed over night in a b&b then parked my car there in the morning before assessments. It’s literally a 1-2 minute walk from the car park to the building & if it’s raining that’s no bad thing.

Best of luck to all those who have assessments
 
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jag

Member
Joined
12 Mar 2019
Messages
22
seems like a few people have been invited to assessments. I was emailed and asked for my NI number and nothing since . I have passed stage 1 and 2 with opc last year , so maybe they know this from my NI number ?
 

tiptoptaff

Established Member
Joined
15 Feb 2013
Messages
2,983
Use either the John Lewis or St David's2 car parks. They're relatively cheap and only a 5minute walk to the new HQ.
Alternatively park in the station car park if there's space and you're right next to the HQ although this is a bit more expensive.

The "essential workers only" advice for public transport has finally been dropped in Wales as of yesterday. Not that anyone paid attention anyway, so there's no reason why you can't use a train or bus to get there. Both are infinitely more convenient than parking in the centre of Cardiff
 

Ghost_rider

Member
Joined
28 Mar 2020
Messages
51
Location
Merseyside
Passed stage 1!

Made up I'm still able to continue through this intense but exciting journey and see how the next phase unfolds....
 

Slipper

Member
Joined
14 Jan 2020
Messages
86
Location
Newport
Use either the John Lewis or St David's2 car parks. They're relatively cheap and only a 5minute walk to the new HQ.
Alternatively park in the station car park if there's space and you're right next to the HQ although this is a bit more expensive.

The "essential workers only" advice for public transport has finally been dropped in Wales as of yesterday. Not that anyone paid attention anyway, so there's no reason why you can't use a train or bus to get there. Both are infinitely more convenient than parking in the centre of Cardiff

Thanks mate, good info. Didn't realise the restriction had lifted, need to get back to work ASAP after assessment, so probably use the car anyway.
 

tiptoptaff

Established Member
Joined
15 Feb 2013
Messages
2,983
Thanks mate, good info. Didn't realise the restriction had lifted, need to get back to work ASAP after assessment, so probably use the car anyway.
The shopping centre car parks are quite convenient. Unfortunately being where it is, the nearest "free" parking is onstreet and a good 15-20minute walk away.
 

Ghost_rider

Member
Joined
28 Mar 2020
Messages
51
Location
Merseyside
Congratulations! When did you sit stage 1?

Only last week so thankfully they were very quick in getting back to me.

I'm also booked in for stage 2 in Cardiff so no time to relax!

I haven't as yet had any correspondence but I assume the tests are based at Cardiff central somewhere?
Hope so anyway as I've already booked my hotel as I'm getting there the evening before!
 

Fredytrains

Member
Joined
2 Nov 2018
Messages
43
They may have 10k applicant from the start. But...

When you start with the application a computer will scan and sift through looking for relevant keywords and if that criteria is met. Ok some will fail there.

Congrats! Your invited to do online assessments. Complete the questionnaire and math test... Many will fail here.

Depending on the TOC and order they do things. Another more in depth questionnaire, or a telephone interview or both. Some will fail.

Already more than half will be gone by now. Then you factor in the actual assessment from OPC, interview and medical. By the time you get to the end not many people are left.

The reality is many many people apply to the role as it is always advertised in the media etc. They always mention the salary and how you don't need any qualifications. Which is why these job are so competitive. But what people don't realise is the sheer level of work and responsibility to get that key. The amount of times I have had a friend of a friend or someone tell me that all you do is push a lever.... I then invite them to do the tests if they think they know the job.

Of the 10k applicants only a fraction have the actual qualities. I guess what I am saying is that you have all found this website. Am active here and have showed willingness and determination that you want the role. That alone will make you go far. :)
correct me if Im wrong here But TFW don't do pre assessments For Drivers, Guards do need to pass online assesments witch are filtered , unless you know of any forthcoming changes, This was the case 12 months ago anyhow.

Passed stage 1!

Made up I'm still able to continue through this intense but exciting journey and see how the next phase unfolds....
Hi, we'll Done so far, what did you have to do to be passed on phase 1,
 
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Sal79

Member
Joined
5 Jun 2020
Messages
26
Location
Shrewsbury
Only last week so thankfully they were very quick in getting back to me.

I'm also booked in for stage 2 in Cardiff so no time to relax!

I haven't as yet had any correspondence but I assume the tests are based at Cardiff central somewhere?
Hope so anyway as I've already booked my hotel as I'm getting there the evening before!
Again, well done and good luck going forward. I sat paper tests today so hoping to hear by the end of the week? Are you booked in for next week?
 

Ghost_rider

Member
Joined
28 Mar 2020
Messages
51
Location
Merseyside
correct me if Im wrong here But TFW don't do pre assessments For Drivers, Guards do need to pass online assesments witch are filtered , unless you know of any forthcoming changes, This was the case 12 months ago anyhow.


Hi, we'll Done so far, what did you have to do to be passed on phase 1,

All the paper tests for stage one mate.
 

Ghost_rider

Member
Joined
28 Mar 2020
Messages
51
Location
Merseyside
Again, well done and good luck going forward. I sat paper tests today so hoping to hear by the end of the week? Are you booked in for next week?

Bet you're glad it's done and you can relax a little now.

How do you feel it all went and where are you applying for if you don't mind me asking?
 

Fredytrains

Member
Joined
2 Nov 2018
Messages
43
Again, well done and good luck going forward. I sat paper tests today so hoping to hear by the end of the week? Are you booked in for next week?
well done so far..
When did you apply, seems some applied in feb/march and some in july..
 

Octopus28

Member
Joined
12 Sep 2018
Messages
165
I've not heard of a training rate with TFW for qualified drivers unless they are still PQA but I could be wrong, did it state it in the advert ? Also what depot are they going to ?
The training in the classroom will be relatively quick if the training department have caught up with the huge backlog by November !!, they will have the depot specific tractions then depot specific routes. Then they will need an instructor for a period of time aswell
No it didn’t mention in the advert so think it’ll be fine :) yeah November, been given a start date and medical date etc! Chester depot. Yeah they’ve been told they’ll have to do a personalised training programme as everyone in the school is on different levels, should be about 6-8 weeks at most. Thanks :)
 

Fredytrains

Member
Joined
2 Nov 2018
Messages
43
Acorn lost my application for march along with a few others, still waiting on most recent application now
 

Ghost_rider

Member
Joined
28 Mar 2020
Messages
51
Location
Merseyside
Oh right. Well, hopefully all goes well this time and they'll let you know the outcome soon.

Initially it was a good 4 months or so waiting to hear anything but then after that, it's all flown by pretty quick so far to be fair.
 

Tim451

Member
Joined
1 May 2020
Messages
5
Location
Bridgnorth
Just out of interest, can anyone shed any light on the tests phase and what's included? I've received the application questionnaire link which I'll be filling out tomorrow evening but I recently applied for a trainee role with Avanti and passed online SJT and VSE tests through the OPC but I'm now sat in a talent pool as the positions at the depot I applied for have been filled. I'm just wondering if those passes would be valid for this application (presuming that Avanti's "enhanced" standards are similar), should I manage get through to the testing stage. I'm sure I read somewhere that some of Avanti's test differ from that of other TOCs.
 

Lankywhale

Member
Joined
15 Apr 2019
Messages
79
Just out of interest, can anyone shed any light on the tests phase and what's included? I've received the application questionnaire link which I'll be filling out tomorrow evening but I recently applied for a trainee role with Avanti and passed online SJT and VSE tests through the OPC but I'm now sat in a talent pool as the positions at the depot I applied for have been filled. I'm just wondering if those passes would be valid for this application (presuming that Avanti's "enhanced" standards are similar), should I manage get through to the testing stage. I'm sure I read somewhere that some of Avanti's test differ from that of other TOCs.

I'd be surprised if you were in a talent pool having only completed the online assessments.

Have you done the stage one and two assessments? Or do you mean you have also done and passed the assessments (including mmi) and you're asking if those results will cover TFW? if you've done them in the last 2 years it should be okay. But every TOC operates differently.
 

chmt

Member
Joined
25 Sep 2019
Messages
45
Location
Bridgend
applied for Cardiff last month and have just had an email about an assessment centre next week. The options were Wednesday or Thursday next week. Just replied and hopefully see what they come back with.
 

MA8141

Member
Joined
23 Jun 2019
Messages
92
applied for Cardiff last month and have just had an email about an assessment centre next week. The options were Wednesday or Thursday next week. Just replied and hopefully see what they come back with.
Is that from the newest recruitment drive ? Quick turn around if it is !
 

chmt

Member
Joined
25 Sep 2019
Messages
45
Location
Bridgend
Is that from the newest recruitment drive ? Quick turn around if it is !
Yes it is from the newest recruitment drive. I am actually on annual leave next week so Wednesday or Thursday is good for me. Just waiting for confirmation of which day. assume they will send more of what the day will entail in the next email.
 

MA8141

Member
Joined
23 Jun 2019
Messages
92
Yes it is from the newest recruitment drive. I am actually on annual leave next week so Wednesday or Thursday is good for me. Just waiting for confirmation of which day. assume they will send more of what the day will entail in the next email.
Fair play. Good luck !
 

Mr Rottweiler

Member
Joined
23 Oct 2018
Messages
19
Hey. Has anyone who applied for Crewe as their station progressed to assessment yet?

No, last update was from 14 August with the usual "Please bear with us, we're working through each application..." automated email.

Yes it is from the newest recruitment drive. I am actually on annual leave next week so Wednesday or Thursday is good for me. Just waiting for confirmation of which day. assume they will send more of what the day will entail in the next email

That`s pretty interesting/impressive chmt. So just to clarify you submitted the online questionaire about a month ago and already gone through to the assessment stage? I assumed there would be another hurdle in between such as a phone interview or DMI. Good luck on your upcoming assessments!
 

Sal79

Member
Joined
5 Jun 2020
Messages
26
Location
Shrewsbury
Just out of interest, can anyone shed any light on the tests phase and what's included? I've received the application questionnaire link which I'll be filling out tomorrow evening but I recently applied for a trainee role with Avanti and passed online SJT and VSE tests through the OPC but I'm now sat in a talent pool as the positions at the depot I applied for have been filled. I'm just wondering if those passes would be valid for this application (presuming that Avanti's "enhanced" standards are similar), should I manage get through to the testing stage. I'm sure I read somewhere that some of Avanti's test differ from that of other TOCs.
The tests your talking about don’t count for anything as they weren’t completed in a test environment ie your next door neighbour could have done them for you lol. When Avanti invite you to Watford you will be tested again. Hope this sheds so light?

No, last update was from 14 August with the usual "Please bear with us, we're working through each application..." automated email.



That`s pretty interesting/impressive chmt. So just to clarify you submitted the online questionaire about a month ago and already gone through to the assessment stage? I assumed there would be another hurdle in between such as a phone interview or DMI. Good luck on your upcoming assessments!
I had a video interview with a driver manager and a HR person first. There was 7 of us that sat paper tests yesterday and only two of us had been interviewed!
 

RachelT

Member
Joined
22 Jul 2020
Messages
31
Location
Cardiff
Hmmm I applied for Cardiff at the same time as prev poster so I'm guessing they are letting successful people know first then they're letting the rest of us know we're not being considered. Bugger.

Has anyone that applied for Cardiff in July received a rejection email yet?
 
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L401CJF

Established Member
Joined
16 Oct 2019
Messages
1,444
Location
Wirral
Hmmm I applied for Cardiff at the same time as prev poster so I'm guessing they are letting successful people know first then they're letting the rest of us know we're not being considered. Bugger.

Has anyone that applied for Cardiff in July received a rejection email yet?
Not necessarily, they could put the first x amount of people in for assessments, 90% of them could fail, so then they'll have to work through other candidates . Doubt they'll send the rejection emails until the positions are filled
 

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