West Midlands Railway seeks next cohort of trainee drivers

West Midlands Railway (WMR) has launched a recruitment drive for its next cohort of trainee drivers, with over 40 places open for candidates aged 20 and above.

These opportunities come at an exciting time for the business, as railway passenger numbers continue to grow. WMR has invested £1billion into introducing new trains and improving infrastructure on its network, and with timetable enhancements set to come soon, these roles offer the chance to be part of this expansion.

A minimum of 12 months of training will be provided for all successful candidates, including classroom and practical-based teaching, so no railway experience is required.

As well as learning how to drive WMR's trains, apprentices will learn how to prepare different units for service and key customer service skills.

Opportunities are available in Worcester, Leamington Spa and Coventry, with new recruits carrying out their paid classroom-based training at WMR's academy in Birmingham.

However, aspiring drivers will need to act quickly, as the job openings close on Friday 24 October.

Richard Morrow, WMR head of drivers, said: “Becoming a trainee driver opens up a fantastic lifelong career in the rail industry, and we are encouraging people from all walks of life to apply. Whether you are looking for that first step on the job ladder, a parent returning to work or simply want a change in career, if you are passionate, committed and focused, this role could be for you.”

Amy Hill, WMR probationary driver for Birmingham Snow Hill, said: “I'd never considered a job on the railway until a friend of mine suggested I apply. I was working in a high-end watch department of an auction house at the time. After hearing about how dynamic and challenging the role is, I applied straight away.

“I’ve never had a career like this before. From classroom learning in the academy, writing out route maps, to learning how the train actually moves, there's so many interesting things to learn.”

For more information about WMR's trainee driver roles, visit wmr.uk/train-driver.