Trainee Train Driver – Newcastle 

• Salary during training:                                              £27,585pa
• Salary increasing to (after 8 weeks of completed training) is: £66,664pa
• Hours: Around the clock shift work including weekends
• Location:                Newcastle
• Course Start Date: Autumn 2025

We're TransPennine Express and we're going places. Whether that's helping customers reach their destination, or ensuring our colleagues feel fulfilled and supported in their careers. We're looking for people with drive and enthusiasm to join our amazing team and help push for more progress within the rail industry. We look forward to meeting new faces and eager minds, ready to join our mission of creating a better-connected network in the North and Scotland, for good.

All our train drivers are responsible for the safe and efficient transportation of our customers, across our extensive rail network. It's a very responsible position which requires high levels of concentration, observation and quick reaction skills. It also involves making logical decisions whilst strictly following operational rules and procedures. However, driving is not your only responsibility; you'll also play a part in customer service delivery, so looking smart and being approachable is also important.

We are looking to recruit trainee train drivers for our Newcastle depot.

• Do you live within an hour's travelling distance to the depot? *You must live within a 60 minute commutable distance from the location you are applying for. Evidence of proof residence will be requested at interview stage.
• Can you work varying shifts?
• Can you follow rules and procedures?
• Can you learn and recall complex information?
• Are you responsible, reliable and conscientious?

To ensure that we find the best people for the job, following the application and shortlisting process, successful candidates will be invited to attend Trainee Train Driver Psychometrics testing.  Applicants who reach the required TPE standard for psychometric testing will be invited to attend an interview.

Phase 1                 Online questions and application form, Smart Chat online interview questions, A measured concentration test (an online assessment), and local driver management shortlisting* If you pass Phase 1, you will be invited to Phase 2 (Limited spaces available)

Phase 2                 Trainee Driver Psychometric Assessments - Stage 1, if successful you will be invited to the next stage

Phase 3                 Trainee Driver Psychometric Assessments – Stage 2, if successful you will be invited to the next stage

Phase 4                 Trainee Driver interview with members of the Driver Management team

Phase 5                 Medical - For health and safety reasons you will have to achieve a minimum medical criteria, including specific visual and hearing standards. * Due to night time driving we cannot accept applicants who have undergone eye surgery.

For the first 9 to 12 months you will undertake an intensive training programme based in the class room and on the train, which may involve periods away from home. Your training will be delivered by our dedicated and professional driver training team. There's a lot to learn so you'll be required to puts lots of hard work and commitment into making sure you become a qualified train driver.  You will also be placed on the Level 3 Train Driver Qualification and functional skills (if applicable), this qualification will form part of the Trainee Train Driver training programme.

**If you have applied previously and wish to be considered for this role a new application must be made. **

 **Due to high numbers of applications received for the role, we will be unable to provide feedback if unsuccessful at shortlisting stage**

 Going places has never felt better!

At TransPennine Express, it's our goal to help people reach their full potential. We offer the opportunity to not just join the transformation of the rail industry, but to lead it. Our values are designed with every team member in mind; whether it's ensuring you feel free to be yourself at work, or encouraging everyone to pull together and support each other. We promise to value our people for the individuals they are. Whichever department becomes your destination, from the tip of the train, to the tail, our only focus is heading at full speed into the future. So, if making people crack a smile helps you feel at home, and raising standards is second nature to you, we'd love to have you onboard.