Trainee Train Conductor - Leeds

Overview

Job Title: Trainee Train Conductor

Business Function: Operations

Salary: OTE £35,000 – £37,000. Basic salary of £27,258 until successful completion of training (for approximately 3 months); rising to £34,917 per annum on completion of training. Plus, commission, overtime and the Northern benefits package.

Role Type: Full Time

Location: Leeds

Hours: Rolling 35 per week. Shift pattern includes evenings, nights and weekends (for example: 03:00–10:30, 07:00–16:30, 15:30–12:30, 18:00–02:30).

Start Date: April 2026 recruitment.

As a Train Conductor, you\’ll be the face of our service, ensuring the efficient operation of our trains while providing exceptional customer care. From checking tickets to managing onboard safety and looking after passengers, you can be sure that no two days will ever be the same.

What You\’ll Be Doing

• Inspect & Operate: Train equipment, doors, and controls.
• Greet Passengers: Create a welcoming atmosphere for all.
• Check Tickets: Verify passenger tickets and travel cards.
• Provide Information: Answer questions on routes, schedules, and connections.
• Make Announcements: Provide clear updates over the onboard PA system.
• Ensure Safe Boarding: Help passengers safely board and disembark the train.
• Handle Delays & Emergencies: Confidently manage unexpected delays, issues, or emergencies.

Behind-the-scenes look: Take a behind-the-scenes look at a day in the life of a Train Conductor – https://bit.ly/3XGPwcH

Key Responsibilities

• Train Operations: Coordinate with Drivers and Operational Teams keeping the train running smoothly, stick to schedules, monitor signals, and stay in touch with Control.
• Customer Assistance: Help passengers on and off, check tickets, provide information & handle inquiries, ensure a safe, comfortable journey, assist vulnerable customers, deescalate conflicts, and maintain a welcoming atmosphere.
• Safety & Compliance: Enforce safety rules, manage door procedures, conduct inspections, and handle emergencies, including leading evacuations if needed. You’ll be fully trained and regularly assessed on all safety standards.
• Fare Collection: Collect fares, validate tickets, and tackle fare evasion.
• Communication: Provide updates on delays or disruptions, relaying important information to passengers.
• Reporting: Maintain accurate records of customer counts, ticket sales and detailed reports on incidents, faults and delays.
• Customer Service: Deliver a professional service, handle complaints, and create a positive enjoyable travel experience.
• Utilise Tech: Daily use of technology including tablets and body worn cameras.
• Knowledge Retention: Learn and retain high volumes of detailed information relating to safety standards, with regular assessments to keep your skills sharp.

About You

Role is safety critical and subject to Rail Safety & Standards Board (RSSB) regulations. You MUST meet the following criteria for this position, or your application will be automatically rejected:

• Currently live within a 45-minute car journey from the station you work from.
• Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application.
• Pass the RIS3452 Train Worker medical assessment, including drugs and alcohol screening.
• Commit to working early, late and weekend shifts – without relying on public transport (for example: 03:00 – 10:30, 07:00 – 16:30, 15:30 – 12:30, 18:00 – 02:30).

You will also possess the following skill set:

• Exceptional communication skills. You’ll be personable, courteous, empathetic, patient and able to demonstrate outstanding customer service.
• Ability to handle and defuse conflicts, offering effective conflict resolution strategies.
• Self-disciplined, with the ability to work independently using your own initiative.
• Able to work to and enforce strict industry standard rules and regulations.
• Punctual with excellent time management skills, ensuring your train departs as scheduled.
• Resilient and adaptable with the ability to face multiple different challenges and prioritise them depending on risk.
• Good problem-solving skills.
• Excellent concentration skills, remaining focused on repetitive tasks whilst managing distractions.
• Situational awareness with the ability to anticipate and react appropriately to hazards or potential problems.
• Able to learn and retain high volumes of detailed safety information which will be regularly assessed to ensure knowledge is maintained at the highest level.

Important Information

• The recruitment process for this role is expected to take approximately five months due to the nature of the position and required training. We receive an incredibly high volume of applications and screen each one with careful consideration, so you may not hear back from us for up to 12 weeks whilst it’s still being processed.
• Successful candidates will be invited to a face-to-face interview, including group assessment, role-play exercises, and competency-based questions. If you pass the final interview stage, a conditional offer will be made, subject to available training course placements and passing required medical, DBS and reference checks.
• Due to the high volume of applications, anyone who has interviewed for a conductor position within a 1-year timeframe could be automatically rejected.
• We do not accept AI applications. Any suspected use of AI as part of your application will also result in immediate rejection.
• Northern reserves the right to close recruitment for this role before the published closing date if high volumes of applications are received.
• The trainee conductor course is delivered in house as part of a 1-year apprenticeship programme, finishing with an end-point assessment.
• Please note, as part of the programme you will have a 3-month intensive training period delivered in a classroom learning setting during normal office hours. The focus is safety-critical information required to qualify as a conductor. During the first 9 weeks of the course, you are not allowed to take any annual leave. Training centres are in Leeds and Manchester, with hotels provided for those living over 1.5 hours away.

What\’s in it for you?

• Free Travel: Unlimited free travel for you, your partner, and your dependents on Northern services. Up to 75% discount on other networks in the UK and Europe.
• Generous Pension Scheme: We top up your contributions by 1.5 times.
• Enhanced Family Benefits: 9 months of full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks for paternity leave.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Save up to 42% on a bike and spread the cost.
• Electric Car Scheme: Lease a brand new electric or plug-in hybrid car.
• Exclusive Discounts: From shopping to wellbeing, Northern Perks has you covered.
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support for family, lifestyle, and more.
• Training and Career Development: Tailored training and opportunities to gain recognised qualifications. Enhanced career pathways no matter what part of the business you’re in.
• Recognition: Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards to recognise brilliance.

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