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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Become a Train Driver, ensuring passenger safety and comfort on their journeys.
- Company: Join Southeastern, one of Britain's busiest train operators, serving London and beyond.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and free rail travel.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while enjoying a supportive work culture.
- Qualifications: No railway experience needed; just passion, good communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Other info: Applications only accepted from those living near Grove Park or Charing Cross depots.
The predicted salary is between 27639 - 62727 £ per year.
Looking for a career that can take you places? Become a Southeastern Train Driver at Grove Park or Charing Cross depot ONLY.
- Imagine the pride you’ll feel when your focus and problem-solving get hundreds of passengers safely to their destination.
- Our training will take you from trainee to Train Driver in 12-18 months and give you a nationally-recognised qualification.
- Enjoy a career that comes with great pay and benefits, a real sense of ownership, and where every shift is a chance to make a difference.
Please note that we are only accepting applications from individuals residing within the Charing Cross and Grove Park catchment areas. Applications for other depot locations will not be considered and will be withdrawn.
Get passengers to their destination, keeping them safe and informed about their journey. It takes concentration and good decision – making, and means being at ease working on your own as you’ll spend much of your time alone in the cabin of the train .
Your training
- As a trainee Train Driver, you’ll be enrolled into our Driver Apprenticeship Programme.
- You’ll complete a mix of classroom days, modular assessments and practical training with a driving instructor.
- This will teach you everything from safety procedures to signalling regulations and braking techniques.
- It usually takes 12–18 months to become qualified.
Your shifts
- Rosters vary but are based over a 35-hour week. You will normally work one week of early shifts followed by one week of late shifts.
- Our railway operates 24-hours, so shifts can start as early as 00:01 and end at almost any time of day or night.
- As a driver your maximum shift length will be 9 hours 15 minutes and the minimum shift length is 5 hours 30 minutes.
The experience you’ll need
You don’t need railway experience to do this role. We’re looking for people from all backgrounds to join our team.
All you need is:
- a passion for making every passenger journey the best it can be
- excellent concentration and communication skills
- the ability to be proactive in solving problems
- a desire to learn and a respect for rules and regulations
- the ability to apply your training and make good decisions
- to be punctual and reliable.
However, we can only consider you for the role if you:
- are 20 years or older, as train driving is a safety critical role
- live within a 40-minute drive ofGrove Park depot
- Or 20-minutes bypublic transport (not car or motorbike) from ourLondon Charing Cross depot
- We do not accept applications from candidates for our Kent depot\’s who are north of the river at this time
Please note that we are only accepting applications from individuals residing within the Charing Cross and Grove Park catchment areas . Applications for other depot locations will not be considered and will be withdrawn.
As proud members of the Armed Forces Covenant and Disability Confident Scheme, we will offer you an interview if you apply under these schemes and meet the minimum criteria for the role .Find out more here .
What you’ll get in return
We offer a generous salary (plus regional allowance where applicable) which rises in increments throughout your journey to becoming a Qualified Train Driver .
The starting salary for the role is £27,639, which rises to £33,867 once you have passed the rules and regulations section of the training (approximately 3 months from joining) .
Once you have been signed off as competent by your Driver Manager, have performed your first driving duty and completed your apprenticeship, your salary increases to £54,002 (approximately 12 months from joining) .
Finally, once you have been qualified in the role for 12 months your salary will increase to £62,727.
Along with your salary, the rewards you’ll get include:
- a final salary pension
- 28 days annual leave allowance (including bank holidays)
We’re one of Britain\’s busiest train operators, serving London, Kent and parts of East Sussex. We run over 1,700 trains a day, carrying more than 400,000 passengers and serving 180 stations.
However, working on our railway is more than getting passengers from A to B. It’s about all the little moments that make a difference to their journey.
It’s also about making our railway a great place to work. With a team that represents the communities we serve. This is a journey we’re fully committed to and we’re proud to have been named a ‘Great Place to Work’ at the 2023 National Rail Awards and endorsed as a WORK180 Employer for Women .
At the heart of everything we do, our Safeguarding Team works to keep our customers, colleagues, and the public safe by improving safeguarding measures and knowledge making sure everyone gets home safe, every day .
- This vacancy may close early if we receive a large number of applications. So, make sure you get yours in early.
- All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references, a right to work verification, a basic criminal record check, and a pre-employment medical assessment. Work visa sponsorship isn’t available for this role.
- If you applied but weren’t successful in getting a similar role at Southeastern, please wait six months before applying again.
Salary £27,639 rising to £62,727 plus free rail travel
Frequency Annual
Job Reference TP/TraineeTrainDriver
Contract Type Permanent – Full Time
Closing Date 17 July, 2025
Job Category Train Driver
Business Unit Train Services
Location Grove Park & Charing Cross, United Kingdom
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Trainee Train Driver employer: Southeastern Railway
Contact Detail:
Southeastern Railway Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Trainee Train Driver
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific routes and stations served by Southeastern. Understanding the geography and key locations can help you demonstrate your commitment and knowledge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former train drivers, especially those who have trained with Southeastern. They can provide valuable insights into the training process and what to expect, which can help you stand out in your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills through examples from previous experiences. Think of situations where you had to make quick decisions or handle unexpected challenges, as these are crucial for a train driver.
✨Tip Number 4
Be prepared to discuss your understanding of safety regulations and procedures. Research the importance of safety in train operations and be ready to explain how you would prioritise this in your role.
We think you need these skills to ace Trainee Train Driver
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of a Trainee Train Driver. Familiarise yourself with the job description and think about how your skills align with what they are looking for.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant skills such as concentration, communication, and problem-solving abilities. Include any experiences that demonstrate your reliability and punctuality, as these are crucial for this role.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter that expresses your passion for the role and the railway industry. Mention why you want to work specifically for Southeastern and how you can contribute to their mission of providing excellent passenger journeys.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that all information is accurate and complete. A polished application reflects your attention to detail.
How to prepare for a job interview at Southeastern Railway
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities of a Trainee Train Driver. Understand the importance of safety, communication, and problem-solving in this role. Being able to discuss these aspects confidently will show your genuine interest.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion
Express your enthusiasm for making passenger journeys enjoyable and safe. Share any relevant experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to customer service and your desire to learn and grow in this field.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your decision-making skills and ability to handle pressure. Think of examples from your past where you successfully solved problems or made quick decisions, especially in challenging situations.
✨Showcase Your Reliability
Emphasise your punctuality and reliability during the interview. Discuss how you manage your time effectively and ensure that you meet deadlines, as these traits are crucial for a role that involves strict schedules.
