Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive trains and support mainline services while ensuring safety and efficiency.
- Company: GWR operates one of the UK's most prestigious railway networks, serving millions annually.
- Benefits: Enjoy free rail travel, health care plans, and discounts on shopping and gym memberships.
- Why this job: Join a diverse team, gain valuable skills, and progress to a mainline driver role.
- Qualifications: Must be 21+, live within 60 minutes of the depot, and pass medical tests.
- Other info: No prior railway experience needed; just bring your enthusiasm and commitment to learn.
The predicted salary is between 26000 - 39000 £ per year.
GWR is the proud custodian of Brunel\’s railway – one of the most prestigious networks in the world. We have some of the newest trains in the country and exciting plans to extend our services. With more than one hundred million passenger journeys each year, we carry people to over 275 stations in the South West, from Cornwall and South Wales to London, passing through beautiful country and some of the UK\’s top tourist destinations.
We are transforming the way people think about train travel, empoweringour team of over 6,000 people from all different backgrounds to make it a great experience for our customers. Together, we will revalue rail as a very special way to travel – relaxing, fast, efficient, friendly and fun.
About the role
The role reports to the Driver Management Team at the relevant depot, i.e. Exeter, Plymouth or Penzance.
Our Trainee Depot Drivers play an essential role in supporting our mainline train service, so that we can focus on creating a timely, relaxed, fast, efficient, and fun experience for our passengers.
You will be responsible for train driving and other driver related activities, including preparing, driving and disposing of traction (train) units, safely and punctually, at our Engineering Depots; Exeter, Longrock at Penzance, or Laira at Plymouth, depending on which you apply for. Where applicable, when qualified, you\’ll also drive on the mainline up to designated signals between the depot and the affiliated station.
This role will give you a really good grounding in a safe environment with awesome opportunities; offering a rewarding career with the potential to progress to a mainline train driver later in your career, if you wish to do so.
This is an excellent opportunity if you enjoy learning in a work- based environment. Our training course requires your commitment to learning and an intensive period of training. There will be assessments throughout your training period, which will be based around both practical and classroom- based learning, giving you support and guidance you will need, to pass the training and progress to a Qualified Depot Driver.
About You
Do you have fantastic time management skills with the ability to work alone and focus on concentrating in a safety conscious environment?
Are you able to follow instructions when the need for safety is always paramount?
Do have excellent communication skills and enjoy working within an environment with strict procedures and protocols?
Do you enjoy assisting colleagues and customers in the interests of safety and customer service?
If so, this role could an excellent career opportunity for you!
As a minimum you\’ll need to:
- Be at least 21 years of age to be accepted on to the training course, as this is presently an industry requirement.
- Live within 60 minutes travel time to the depot, without using public transport when it is not available. The safety responsibilities make this requirement a necessity. This is not negotiable.
- Work shifts of varying start times, including weekends and nights shifts.
- Pass a full driver medical which includes passing hearing, sight, and colour vision tests (using the Ishihara plates) Further details in FAQs
Additional Information:
We don\’t need you to have previous Railway experience. We have colleagues from a wide range of industries and backgrounds. We do need you to bring your energy, enthusiasm and willingness to learn in a structured environment.
We are committed to making GWR and inclusive place of work that, to ensure we deliver a railway that is inclusive for our customers.
As this role is an important safety role, we have a stringent recruitment process, that includes various ability tests, that measure the key requirements needed for the role. But don\’t worry too much about this, we will send you Practice Test Materials, before we invite you to any ability testing events, so you will have plenty of time to practice for the tests.
The training salary rate is £32,489 per annum, rising to £48,373 when fully qualified.
We have opportunities for Trainee Depot Drivers at Depots in Penzance and Plymouth, to join our Talent Pool for 2025/26 and beyond.
If your application is successful and you pass the whole recruitment process, you will be placed in a Talent Pool pending available vacancies in 2025 and later in line with our Recruitment Policy
Trainee Depot Driver Role Profile
Trainee Depot Driver FAQs
The Reward
As well as a great team environment and comprehensive training, all GWR colleagues enjoy a range of benefits including on-going development, defined benefit pension scheme, free rail travel across the GWR network for you and your family, company-sponsored health care plan, discounted shopping and gym membership and an employee assistance programme.
Weall belong at GWR. This is our vision for providing an inclusive environment for all our colleagues, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment.
We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain a zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.
We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.
We review all roles and job descriptions to ensure they are accessible and, where possible, we support and provide flexible working options; we recommend that you refer to each vacancy description for further details.
If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.
Sign up here to receive job alert emails for the latest vacancies across our brands.
Please note you can make multiple selections across the alert criteria.
Manage Consent Preferences
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Trainee Depot Driver - West Region employer: First Group
Contact Detail:
First Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Trainee Depot Driver - West Region
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific depots you are applying to, such as Exeter, Plymouth, or Penzance. Understanding the local area and the operations of each depot can give you an edge during interviews, showing your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your time management skills. Since the role requires excellent time management and the ability to work independently, consider practising scenarios where you need to prioritise tasks effectively, which will help you demonstrate these skills during assessments.
✨Tip Number 3
Engage with current or former employees of GWR if possible. Networking can provide you with insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable when preparing for interviews or assessments.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for the ability tests by using the practice materials provided by GWR. Familiarising yourself with the types of tests you will face can significantly boost your confidence and performance during the recruitment process.
We think you need these skills to ace Trainee Depot Driver - West Region
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Trainee Depot Driver position. Highlight key skills such as time management, safety awareness, and communication in your application.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect relevant experiences and skills that align with the role. Emphasise any previous work or training that demonstrates your ability to follow strict procedures and protocols.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter that showcases your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention why you are interested in working for GWR and how your background makes you a suitable candidate for the Trainee Depot Driver position.
Prepare for Assessments: Since the recruitment process includes various ability tests, practice using the materials provided by GWR. Familiarise yourself with the types of tests you may encounter to boost your confidence and performance.
How to prepare for a job interview at First Group
✨Show Your Enthusiasm for Learning
As a Trainee Depot Driver, your willingness to learn is crucial. During the interview, express your eagerness to embrace the training process and highlight any past experiences where you successfully adapted to new skills or environments.
✨Demonstrate Safety Awareness
Safety is paramount in this role. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise safety in your previous experiences. Share examples of situations where you followed strict protocols or instructions to ensure a safe environment.
✨Highlight Time Management Skills
Time management is essential for a depot driver. Prepare to talk about how you effectively manage your time, especially in high-pressure situations. Use specific examples to illustrate your ability to stay organised and punctual.
✨Communicate Clearly and Effectively
Excellent communication skills are vital in this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might be asked to explain complex ideas or procedures, so being able to communicate effectively will set you apart.