Trainee Train Driver
SALARY: £26,016 per annum during training (approx. 12 months) rising to £49,652 in Year 1, £54,496 in Year 2 and £62,642 in Year 3.
ROLE TYPE: On Site
HOURS: Rolling 35 per week. Shift Pattern includes evenings, nights and weekends (for example: 03:00 – 10:30, 15:30 – 12:30, 21:00 – 06:00).
Is operating trains and navigating rail routes your thing? Northern is looking for Trainee Train Drivers to help deliver exceptional service to our passengers every day.
About the Role:
As a Train Driver, you’ll transport our customers safely and efficiently across the Northern network. You might drive the train on your own, but you’ll be part of a big team here at Northern. Working on the frontline, you’ll collaboratively work alongside Train Conductors, Station Dispatch, and Control colleagues – together ensuring our customers enjoy a true Northern experience onboard our trains.
Key responsibilities:
- Train Operation: Responsible for the professional operation of trains, ensuring the train adheres to schedule whilst maintaining safe operations.
- Safety Compliance: Strictly adhere to safety protocols, including signalling systems, speed limits, and track conditions, to ensure the safety of passengers, crew, and the public.
- Emergency Response: In the event of an emergency or unexpected situation, respond quickly and appropriately, following established procedures and protocols.
- Continuous Training & Assessments: Undergo regular training and competency assessments to stay updated on safety procedures, regulations, and any changes in operating practices. You will be expected to maintain your own appropriate professional knowledge and keep informed of industry developments.
- Train Inspections: Conduct safety inspections of trains prior to driving and reporting any defects to maintenance staff. Securing the train on completion of your journey and promptly reporting any faults which have arisen during service.
- Record-keeping: Ensure accurate documentation of activities, including departure and arrival times, any incidents or delays, and other relevant information.
- Communication: Maintain clear and effective communication with control centres, signal operators, and other relevant personnel to ensure smooth train operations.
- Adaptability: Adapt to changes in routes, weather conditions, or unexpected circumstances while maintaining operational efficiency.
- Preparation for Duty: Due to the demanding nature of the role of a train driver, you will be expected to manage your lifestyle appropriately, ensuring adequate rest before shifts. This will at times impact your personal life and require you to make social sacrifices. We also enforce a zero-tolerance policy regarding recreational drugs and alcohol.
Requirements:
The role of a Train Driver is safety critical and is subject to Rail Safety Standards Board (RSSB) regulations. You MUST meet the following criteria for this position, or your application will be automatically rejected:
- Currently live within a 45-minute car journey from the station you work from.
- Be at least 20 years of age at the time of application.
- Pass the TDLCR Train Driver medical assessment, including drugs and alcohol screening.
- Not have defective colour vision.
- Obtain a pass to an enhanced level on the Train Driver Psychometric Assessments, which will be taken as part of the recruitment process. If you pass the test, it is valid for 5 years. Please note you have only three attempts to complete the psychometrics – if you fail on your third attempt you are unable to re-take them and cannot qualify for a train driver position.
- Commit to working early, late and weekend shifts – without relying on public transport (for example: 03:00 – 10:30, 15:30 – 12:30, 21:00 – 06:00).
Required Skills:
We are seeking candidates with following skill set:
- You'll have the ability to work calmly under pressure and remain focused and vigilant in a high-pressured environment.
- You will maintain high standards of work at all times.
- Exceptional concentration skills within a low stimulus environment, whilst carrying out repetitive or monotonous tasks.
- Ability to learn and retain large amounts of information and be subject to ongoing competency assessments.
- Self-disciplined and able to work within rules and regulations.
- Excellent time management skills, ensuring your train departs as scheduled.
- Resilient and adaptable with quick reaction skills.
- Ability to shift priorities to meet other requirements without creating more significant difficulties.
- Diligent with the moral courage to challenge unsafe or unprofessional practices.
- Good communication skills with the ability to build rapport with colleagues and customers.
Important Information – PLEASE READ:
- The recruitment process for this role is expected to take approximately six months due to the nature of the position and required training.
After submitting your application, please note that you may not receive an update for 8-12 weeks. This is due to the large volume of applications and our thorough screening process. During this time, applications will be carefully reviewed, and only those meeting the necessary criteria will proceed to the next stage. We kindly request that you refrain from contacting us for updates before the 12-week period has passed, as we will not be able to provide any information other than that your application is being processed.
If you pass the initial screening, you will be invited to a telephone interview. Successful candidates from this stage will then attend an in-person interview, followed by psychometric testing.
If you pass the final interview and psychometric test, a conditional offer will be made, subject to available training course placements and passing required medical tests.
- Due to the high volume of applications, we receive, anyone that has interviewed for a driver position within a 1-year timeframe could be automatically rejected.
- We do not accept AI applications. Any suspected use of AI as part of your application will also result in immediate rejection.
- Northern reserves the right to close recruitment for this role before the published closing date, if high volumes of applications are received.
- The role of a train driver is not just a job, but a career which takes dedication and extensive training to become competent. If successful you will join our trainee driver course, which is delivered in house as part of a 2-year apprenticeship programme.
- The training program begins with a 5-month intensive classroom-based learning phase, focused on teaching the theoretical knowledge and safety-critical information necessary to become a fully qualified driver. During this period, you are not permitted to take any annual leave. After completing the classroom training, you will be paired with a Driver Instructor and begin on-the-job training, shadowing them through their shift pattern for at least 230 driving hours. Your competence will be continuously evaluated throughout the process to ensure you meet the required standards to qualify as a driver. The full program lasts approximately 12 months and concludes with a final assessment, which may take up to two weeks to complete.
- Our training centres are in Leeds and Manchester, so you may be required to travel to attend. However, hotels are provided to those living over 1.5 hours away.
- As this is an apprenticeship, you'll sit a functional skills test to achieve a level 2 in Math's and English before you take the end-point assessments.
- As a train driver it is important to note that you can be required to work bank holidays, and you will be allocated set amount of leave.
Our Benefits:
Because we value our people and reward hard work, we’ve created a benefits package that we think you’ll love. So, you’ll be able to make the most of:
- Opportunities to progress and grow - including comprehensive training schemes and a range of online learning courses.
- Full Uniform for Frontline Facing Roles - our frontline people are the face of the business, so we provide you with a stylish and high-quality uniform.
- Free Travel on Northern services - everyone who works at Northern, plus their partners/spouses and dependents, can travel for free right across our full network of services. *Certain eligibility criteria will apply.
- Defined Benefit Pension Scheme - you’ll rarely find a pension as good as a Northern pension, and we top up your pension with a generous 1.5 times your contribution.
- Maternity and Paternity Benefits - we go above and beyond the standard, and mums can enjoy 9 months’ maternity leave on full pay while dads can make the most of 2 weeks’ paternity leave on full pay.
- Employee Assistance Programme - advice, support and useful information 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on everything from family issues to lifestyle matters.
- Exclusive benefits with Northern Perks - enjoy retail discounts, instant vouchers, cashback, wellbeing support and much more.
You can find out more here.
About Northern:
Connecting millions of people and communities across the North is our mission. With 2,500 trains a day, we connect people to jobs, friends, family, and the wonders of the North.
We're improving rail travel, enhancing the experience on board and at stations. Customers are at the heart of our business as we improve performance and create a better way to go.
We're driving economic value and sustainable growth for the North and its people. Our commitment to the environment means reducing our impact and enhancing the world around us.
Make a difference. Make it last. Make it yours. Make it easy. Make it happen. These are our values.
Leave the platform behind and jump onboard to start your career journey here at Northern.
We’re an equal opportunities employer and a promoter of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds, regardless of gender, sex, ethnicity, race, religion, education, socioeconomic background, disability, or sexual orientation.
We also have Disability Confident status, which means we’re committed to making the most of the talents that disabled people can bring to the workplace.
