Trainee Train Driver

Job Title: Trainee Train Driver

Location: York
Salary: £27,098 during training (approximately 12 months)

Rising to £46,824 in Year 1, £51,667 in Year 2, and £62,642 in Year 3

Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
Hours: 35 per week on a rolling shift basis, including early mornings, nights, weekends, and bank holidays
Training Start Date: 1 December

Start a Long-Term Career as a Trainee Train Driver with Northern

Northern is offering an excellent opportunity for motivated individuals to join our team as Trainee Train Drivers based in York. This is a safety-critical, highly respected profession offering full training, competitive pay, long-term career development, and excellent benefits.

Key Responsibilities

As a Trainee Train Driver, your responsibilities will include:

• Operating trains professionally and safely, adhering to timetables and operating procedures

• Strict compliance with railway safety standards, signalling systems, and speed regulations

• Responding effectively to emergencies or unexpected situations following established protocols

• Completing regular training, assessments, and continuous professional development

• Conducting thorough pre-departure safety inspections and reporting any faults or issues

• Maintaining accurate records of journeys, incidents, and operational performance

• Communicating clearly with control centres, signal operators, and team members

• Adapting to route changes, weather disruptions, and operational variations

• Managing rest and lifestyle to ensure readiness for duty at all times

Mandatory Requirements

To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

• Reside within a 45-minute car journey of York Station

• Be at least 20 years of age at the time of application

• Pass a TDLCR medical assessment, including drug and alcohol screening

• Not have defective colour vision

• Successfully pass the Train Driver psychometric assessments (maximum of three attempts allowed; valid for five years)

• Be able to commit to working early, night, and weekend shifts without reliance on public transport

Personal Qualities and Skills

We are seeking individuals who possess the following:

• Strong focus and concentration in low-stimulation environments

• High levels of self-discipline, professionalism, and rule adherence

• Resilience, adaptability, and the ability to remain calm under pressure

• Excellent time management and a commitment to punctuality

• Ability to absorb and retain technical knowledge and procedural information

• Strong communication skills and a collaborative approach

• Courage to challenge unsafe or non-compliant behaviour

Recruitment and Training Process

• Due to the volume of applications, the recruitment process may take up to six months

• After application review, shortlisted candidates will be invited for a telephone interview, followed by an in-person interview and psychometric testing

• A conditional offer is made subject to successful completion of the interview, tests, and medical screening

• Applicants who have interviewed for a similar role in the past 12 months may be excluded

• AI-generated applications will be disqualified

Apprenticeship and Training Programme

• The role forms part of a Level 3 Train Driver Apprenticeship

• The first five months involve intensive classroom learning (no leave allowed during this time)

• Followed by on-the-job training with a Driver Instructor (minimum 230 driving hours)

• Ongoing assessments lead to a final competency evaluation

• Training may take place in Leeds or Manchester, with accommodation provided if travel exceeds 1.5 hours

• Functional skills assessments in Maths and English are required before end-point evaluation

Benefits

At Northern, we offer a comprehensive benefits package:

• Free travel for you, your partner, and dependants on Northern services

• 75% discount on rail travel across other UK and European networks

• Generous company pension scheme with enhanced employer contributions

• Enhanced maternity (nine months full pay) and paternity (two weeks full pay) leave

• Cycle to Work Scheme offering significant savings

• Access to a range of employee discounts and wellbeing resources through Northern Perks

• Holiday Purchase Scheme allowing you to buy up to five additional days off

• Employee Assistance Programme for 24/7 personal and professional support

• Recognition initiatives including Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards

• Structured training, development, and qualification opportunities

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