How to be a train driver
- 1). Decide if a job as a train driver is right for you. Talk to someone who works for a train company or telephone the train operator's human resources or training department and find out more about the role. Bear in mind that driving trains involves asocial working patterns and hours. Shift lengths can vary between seven and 12 hours.
- 2). Consider joining a train company in a more junior role before applying to become a train driver. Many train drivers start their careers in other railway jobs, so you might try applying for other train-related jobs as a first step towards your goal. Train companies regularly advertise for cleaning, maintenance, customer services and station staff. Some of these jobs may be offered as part of apprenticeship schemes.
- 3). Check the job vacancy sections of train company websites regularly. You can find a list of all train operators at the Association of Train Operating Companies. All the main train operators post train driver job vacancies on their websites.
- 4). Apply for train driver jobs when they are advertised. Fill out a detailed, extensive application form, either online or as a hard copy. Take care to answer all questions accurately and honestly. Declare any medical conditions and provide job and personal references. Explain why you wish to become a train driver in the relevant section. Demonstrate your knowledge about the role and emphasise your enthusiasm for the job. The train company will shortlist from all applications and select a number of candidates for interview. The interview process is comprehensive and will include medical tests, aptitude tests, group and one-to-one interviews.
- 5). Prepare for a lengthy training programme. Successful applicants will join the train company's in-house train driver training scheme. This lasts at least one year but often longer. It covers all aspects of driving a train, from the technical abilities to learning routes. Trainee drivers must pass a series of assessments before they qualify as train drivers.
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