TfW - Trainee Conductors - Various Locations (31/03/22)

[Saxon79]

Next 2 courses are 24th June and 26th August. I'm on the 26th August course even though my assessment day was in February I couldn't start in June because I'm going on holiday. I've been told there are 4 courses this year. One started in February and one in April. So assuming the information I have is correct after the August course there won't be one until 2025.

 

[DeeJay25]

I have my medical in Chester next Thursday and if all goes well I am also on the August 26th course.
It's all becoming a bit real now, can't wait.

 

[JonG184]

Next 2 courses are 24th June and 26th August. I'm on the 26th August course even though my assessment day was in February I couldn't start in June because I'm going on holiday. I've been told there are 4 courses this year. One started in February and one in April. So assuming the information I have is correct after the August course there won't be one until 2025.

Thank you - I'm on the 24th June course in Chester. Is anyone else on here on the same course?

 

[cw11]

Hiya All,

I applied for the trainee train conductor post in a different depot (one that was 5 minutes from me) on the 10th of October last year, i passed the SCAAT and RAAT OPC assessments but failed the TCT, the date I took the TCT was the 8th of November.

I have seen a post for trainee train conductor in depot that is around 55 minutes away, do I have to wait 6 months from the failed TCT to reapply or 6 months from the date of submitting the application? 6 months lands on tomorrow, would I be ok to submit an application tomorrow or would I have to wait until the 9th?

Also, I’ve noticed on my profile with TFW it has the previous application still there with online tests in the progression section, why has this not changed as it was confirmed at the beginning of January bia email that I had failed the TCT?

Finally, If I were lucky enough to manage to secure myself in a talent pool could I be transferred to a depot closer to me if a position came up there?

Thank you,
Chelsey

 

[Tevion539]

Hiya All,

I applied for the trainee train conductor post in a different depot (one that was 5 minutes from me) on the 10th of October last year, i passed the SCAAT and RAAT OPC assessments but failed the TCT, the date I took the TCT was the 8th of November.

I have seen a post for trainee train conductor in depot that is around 55 minutes away, do I have to wait 6 months from the failed TCT to reapply or 6 months from the date of submitting the application? 6 months lands on tomorrow, would I be ok to submit an application tomorrow or would I have to wait until the 9th?

Also, I’ve noticed on my profile with TFW it has the previous application still there with online tests in the progression section, why has this not changed as it was confirmed at the beginning of January bia email that I had failed the TCT?

Finally, If I were lucky enough to manage to secure myself in a talent pool could I be transferred to a depot closer to me if a position came up there?

Thank you,
Chelsey

Hi Chelsea,

Considering we're now in May, I believe the six months time frame would've passed regardless, if you failed in November. I believe it goes on the date you failed your test. So go ahead and reapply as soon as you can. Once applied, if you get short listed to the psychometric testing, email recruitment if they send you through the scaat and Raat tests again saying you've already passed these. They should put you through to the TCT again as these were completed in the last two years. But I believe this is their discretion.

My application still says talent pool and I've been with the company well over a year.

You could move closer to the depot of your choice, however in the interview they should ask for your preferred depot(s) in case a course for them comes up sooner. Failing this and you go to the depot applied for, the guideline is you need to be with the company for two years before requesting a transfer/applying for other roles. If the business needs suit, this can be looked over.

 

[cw11]

Superb, than you for the info. You have made me feel more positive
I shall go ahead and submit an application this afternoon as the close date is on the 9th.

Thanks once again.

 

[Seabass]

Given I pass the group assessment and interview…anyone know the average wait time in the talent pool? I’m waiting for the “how long is a piece of string comment” but last I heard they are pushing people through quite quickly.

Hi Jacob. Hope you don't mind me asking but have you had an actual date confirmed for the assessment/interview day?
I've received the email advising you have been successful following all the online tests on the 5th April (below) but nobody has been in contact since this? I'm wondering whether to chase them or maybe leave it a little longer? Many thanks

Dear Candidate

Thank you for completing the recent Trainee Train Conductor testing and thank you for your patience.

Having reviewed the results, we are delighted to inform you that you have been successful on this occasion. Therefore, your application will be progressed to the next steps of the recruitment process.

A member of the team will be in touch within the next few weeks to discuss the next steps.

Kind regards

The Recruitment Team

 

[Saxon79]

Recruitment rang me on Monday and I was booked for a medical this Monday coming. I was told I would get an email with the details but I still haven't received one. Do they generally send an email at this short notice? I was expecting an email at the latest today.

 

[DeeJay25]

Recruitment rang me on Monday and I was booked for a medical this Monday coming. I was told I would get an email with the details but I still haven't received one. Do they generally send an email at this short notice? I was expecting an email at the latest today.

Same here, I am also awaiting a medical confirmation email with the details of exactly where to go, mine isn't til next Thursday so I'll give it a few days incase it pops in my inbox.

 

[Tevion539]

Recruitment rang me on Monday and I was booked for a medical this Monday coming. I was told I would get an email with the details but I still haven't received one. Do they generally send an email at this short notice? I was expecting an email at the latest today.

Have you given them a call/email just to double check? Medigold typically do the medicals.

Same here, I am also awaiting a medical confirmation email with the details of exactly where to go, mine isn't til next Thursday so I'll give it a few days incase it pops in my inbox.

What depot are you going to?

 

[DeeJay25]

Have you given them a call/email just to double check? Medigold typically do the medicals.


What depot are you going to?

I was down for Holyhead but they asked if I was interested in going to Llandudno Jct as there was a spot available. It was a quick "Yes, definitely" from me, what about yourself?

 

[Saxon79]

Have you given them a call/email just to double check? Medigold typically do the medicals.


What depot are you going to?

I'm an internal so I know where to go because it's in Chester but I just haven't had confirmation. I will drop them an email today.

I was down for Holyhead but they asked if I was interested in going to Llandudno Jct as there was a spot available. It was a quick "Yes, definitely" from me, what about yourself?

I've been allocated Chester which is 45 minute drive from were I live but Llandudno Jct is 20 minutes, I was hoping they would ask me if I wanted to go to Junction but they didn't.

 

[JonG184]

I was down for Holyhead but they asked if I was interested in going to Llandudno Jct as there was a spot available. It was a quick "Yes, definitely" from me, what about yourself?

I am on the 24th June course and will be based at Llandudno Junction too!

 

[Railway1642]

Afternoon all.

Has anyone been allocated any courses for any South Wales Depots? I’m waiting on Carmarthen.

 

[DeeJay25]

I am on the 24th June course and will be based at Llandudno Junction too!

Oh cool, I look forward to meeting you. Yeah jct is about the same travel from my house as Holyhead would have been so I thought I'd grab that as who knows when I'd get called up for Holyhead. I've been in the Talent pool since July, applied last Feb so it's been a long wait.

 

[Adlee Turner]

Afternoon all.

Has anyone been allocated any courses for any South Wales Depots? I’m waiting on Carmarthen.

I’m not entirely sure about the other depots, but I know there was a course for Rhymney at the end of March. They did say the valleys courses were quite quick. Does anyone know when the next Rhymney course is or is anyone waiting for Rhymney?

 

[Tevion539]

I’m not entirely sure about the other depots, but I know there was a course for Rhymney at the end of March. They did say the valleys courses were quite quick. Does anyone know when the next Rhymney course is or is anyone waiting for Rhymney?

Valleys and mainline courses are the same length of time. It's the route learning that's severely quicker on valleys...

Mainline you get 8 weeks route learning + 4 weeks minders

Valleys I believe is half that time but don't hold me to that.

what about yourself?

Congrats on getting the job! I'm down south and have been qualified for a while now, so I doubt we'll cross paths unless it's at Chester/Crewe/Shrewsbury. Saying that, I don't know exactly what routes Llandudno serve.

 

[JonG184]

Oh cool, I look forward to meeting you. Yeah jct is about the same travel from my house as Holyhead would have been so I thought I'd grab that as who knows when I'd get called up for Holyhead. I've been in the Talent pool since July, applied last Feb so it's been a long wait.

I had a similar experience - I applied for Pwllheli as that was the only place with vacancies when I applied. At the interview I gave Llandudno Junction as my second choice even though it's nearer, and as they told me that most vacancies at the Junction are filled with people transferring from other depots so I thought I stood a better chance with Pwllheli. I was delighted to be offered Junction straight away! I spoke to a Junction based conductor last week who told me that they're increasing the number of conductors there from 24 to 27.

 

[Jacob Didcote]

Hi Jacob. Hope you don't mind me asking but have you had an actual date confirmed for the assessment/interview day?
I've received the email advising you have been successful following all the online tests on the 5th April (below) but nobody has been in contact since this? I'm wondering whether to chase them or maybe leave it a little longer? Many thanks

Dear Candidate

Thank you for completing the recent Trainee Train Conductor testing and thank you for your patience.

Having reviewed the results, we are delighted to inform you that you have been successful on this occasion. Therefore, your application will be progressed to the next steps of the recruitment process.

A member of the team will be in touch within the next few weeks to discuss the next steps.

Kind regards

The Recruitment Team

I had an email yesterday inviting me to an assessment day on the 4th June but unfortunately I can’t make it so will be emailing them so they know first thing Monday morning. Hopefully the next one doesn’t coincide with my holidays!

 

[DeeJay25]

I had a similar experience - I applied for Pwllheli as that was the only place with vacancies when I applied. At the interview I gave Llandudno Junction as my second choice even though it's nearer, and as they told me that most vacancies at the Junction are filled with people transferring from other depots so I thought I stood a better chance with Pwllheli. I was delighted to be offered Junction straight away! I spoke to a Junction based conductor last week who told me that they're increasing the number of conductors there from 24 to 27.

I'm glad it all worked out for you, sounds like Jct is a popular station to work out of. I didn't realise one station would have so many conductors either.
Do you know what routes they take or where I can find info on this. I'm thinking dudno to Bleanau, jct to manchester airport, jct to chester possibly.

 

[craigybagel]

I'm glad it all worked out for you, sounds like Jct is a popular station to work out of. I didn't realise one station would have so many conductors either.
Do you know what routes they take or where I can find info on this. I'm thinking dudno to Bleanau, jct to manchester airport, jct to chester possibly.

There is a list here showing most guards depots in the country and what routes and traction they work, though it's not been updated much of late. The entry for Llandudno Junction is mostly accurate except for new guards won't be signing 175s, and the depot is at Junction and not Llandudno itself.

So 150,153 (both likely to come off the cards soon),158,197 for traction, and Llandudno - Blaneau, Holyhead - Chester - Manchester Airport, Chester - Crewe and Chester - Liverpool for the routes.

 

[JonG184]

I'm glad it all worked out for you, sounds like Jct is a popular station to work out of. I didn't realise one station would have so many conductors either.
Do you know what routes they take or where I can find info on this. I'm thinking dudno to Bleanau, jct to manchester airport, jct to chester possibly.

To give you an idea of depot size, I found the following FOI info from 2022:

Conductors by Depot

Carmarthen: 63

Cardiff Valleys: 161

Cardiff Mainline: 140

Chester: 96

Crewe: 55

Holyhead: 35

Llandudno Junction: 24

Machynlleth: 29

Pwllheli: 11

Shrewsbury: 54

Rhymney: 29

Treherbert: 29

 

[Railway1642]

@JonG184

I’m guessing this number will need to increase maybe with Sundays being included in the working week and an increased timetable for some depots

 

[DeeJay25]

There is a list here showing most guards depots in the country and what routes and traction they work, though it's not been updated much of late. The entry for Llandudno Junction is mostly accurate except for new guards won't be signing 175s, and the depot is at Junction and not Llandudno itself.

So 150,153 (both likely to come off the cards soon),158,197 for traction, and Llandudno - Blaneau, Holyhead - Chester - Manchester Airport, Chester - Crewe and Chester - Liverpool for the routes.

That's a great bit of info, thanks buddy.

 

[DeeJay25]

To give you an idea of depot size, I found the following FOI info from 2022:

Conductors by Depot

Carmarthen: 63

Cardiff Valleys: 161

Cardiff Mainline: 140

Chester: 96

Crewe: 55

Holyhead: 35

Llandudno Junction: 24

Machynlleth: 29

Pwllheli: 11

Shrewsbury: 54

Rhymney: 29

Treherbert: 29

Interesting figures, Thanks

 

[Saxon79]

To give you an idea of depot size, I found the following FOI info from 2022:

Conductors by Depot

Carmarthen: 63

Cardiff Valleys: 161

Cardiff Mainline: 140

Chester: 96

Crewe: 55

Holyhead: 35

Llandudno Junction: 24

Machynlleth: 29

Pwllheli: 11

Shrewsbury: 54

Rhymney: 29

Treherbert: 29

Those numbers have increased due to Sunday being brought into the working week.

 

[Seabass]

I had an email yesterday inviting me to an assessment day on the 4th June but unfortunately I can’t make it so will be emailing them so they know first thing Monday morning. Hopefully the next one doesn’t coincide with my holidays!

Mine also came through Friday, so I am now booked in for the assessment day on the 4th June. Fingers crossed they come back to you with a suitable date, good luck.