How long does it take to become a qualified train driver?
between nine and 12 months
Typically it takes between nine and 12 months to become a qualified train driver.
How many hours can a train driver work?
Working hours The industry standard working week is around 35 hours, which tends to be spread across four or five shifts, but these can be scheduled at any time, including evenings, late nights and weekends.
How long is a train drivers shift?
Shifts or “turns” generally range from around 6 hours to around 11 hours and vary from company to company. Some companies operate their turns over a 4 day working week.
What is the retirement age for train drivers?
between 60 and 65
The current Train Driver retirement age is between 60 and 65, subject to a medical test to assess if you still meet the minimum requirements.
Is train driving a dead end job?
Established train drivers have a routine medical every five years, becoming annually after the age of sixty. One of the downsides to train driving is that there are poor prospects for forward promotion, making it a bit of a dead-end job.
Can you become a train driver with Virgin Trains?
Virgin Trains Apprenticeships can put you on the right track to kick-start your career. Are you keen to start your career but also want to continue learning? Want to become a train driver but have no idea where to begin? An Apprenticeship with Virgin Trains can provide an excellent platform to launch your career. Who are Virgin Trains?
What can you do with an apprenticeship with Virgin Trains?
A Virgin Trains Apprenticeship will see you shadowing current train drivers and station staff so you can gain hands on experience while developing your skills and building your confidence. You’ll also gain a wide range of real life work experience and an industry specific qualification while also getting paid! Watch this video to learn more:
Where can I find job listings for Virgin?
Here’s how to find the latest job listings for Virgin companies around the world. Simply click on each Virgin company to go to its careers page and browse its latest career opportunities. Head over to the Virgin Careers homepage to find out more about a career with Virgin.
What are the duties of a train driver?
As a Train Driver it’s your responsibility to ensure our customers reach their destination safely and on time, and our drivers make sure their route and train knowledge is first class so we can do just that.