Concerns have been raised over the salary of train drivers, which averages nearly £70,000 a year. Despite ongoing strikes for better pay, there seems to be a surprising shortage of drivers in the UK. If the pay is as good as advertised, why aren’t more people entering the profession?
This shortage has been a significant factor in the disruptions to the British rail system. Most cancellations, about seven out of eight, have been attributed to a lack of available drivers.
Some schedules still depend on drivers taking overtime shifts voluntarily. With many drivers nearing retirement this year, the potential for mass departures looms large.
In response, the government recently announced changes that will allow 18-year-olds to become train drivers—two years younger than the previous legal age.
Yet, in job advertisements for rail positions, the starting salary of £26,000 may not seem very enticing. It does rise to £62,000 over three years, but applicants must demonstrate “hardiness and moral courage,” have a “zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol,” and possess “extraordinary focused skills in a challenging environment.”
The Department of Transport aims to recruit at least 5,000 new drivers. They’re looking for help from Generation Z, especially as nearly half of the current qualified drivers are over 50, with only 3% under 30.
At the East Midlands Railway Training Centre in Derby, many new trainees are older individuals switching careers from other roles on the railway.
Mark Letman, the lead operations training manager at EMR, mentions they often recruit from backgrounds like law enforcement or firefighting. He oversees about 50-60 new trainees every year who start with an 18-week intensive theory program covering driver regulations.
Tim Joyce, a 53-year-old retraining from the fire service, shares that his new role has many similarities; there are rules to learn, which must then be applied in real situations.
Joyce shows off the rulebook, referred to as “the Bible,” packed with numerous modules. Each module can be extensive, and passing the rulebook exam requires a 90% score.
Letman highlights that mastering this knowledge is essential, saying, “It’s all in your head.”
Successfully navigating the recruitment process includes two rounds of interviews and psychometric testing, but the dropout rate can be as high as 60 to 70%. Those who pass the theoretical exam then enter a practical phase, learning through a state-of-the-art simulator before getting behind the wheel under supervision for 200 hours.
Among the trainees is 22-year-old Charlie Potts, who credits his father, a former train driver, for his interest in the field. He’s part of a demographic the industry is eager to attract.
Letman believes that reaching out to schools can encourage more young people to consider a career in driving trains. This could help diversify the workforce.
The average age of train drivers is currently 34, a concern highlighted by Mick Whelan, the general secretary of the train drivers’ union, especially regarding the low number of women entering the field.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander recently visited a training facility and acknowledged the serious driver shortage across the UK, particularly in specific regions. She views the change in age regulations as a crucial step in addressing this issue.
The pandemic has worsened the shortage, halting training programs and prompting many drivers to seek better work-life balance options. With reduced passenger numbers and low fare revenues, the government intervened, resulting in wage freezes in the struggling sector.
Strikes persist, contributing to continued unrest. Many rail services now depend on rest days or additional shifts, but there’s still a pressing need for work, as Whelan notes. Some regions, like Wales, have been advertising for drivers but receiving significant responses.
So, what’s behind the hiring challenge? Whelan points out that being a train driver involves unique pressures: operating a vehicle at high speeds and relying heavily on unseen infrastructure can feel counterintuitive. It’s not as straightforward as driving a bus or a car.
Aslef continues to advocate for “dignity in the workplace.” While passenger areas see upgrades, drivers still face outdated facilities and inadequate restroom access. A tragic incident in 2022, where a driver was fatally injured while trying to find a place to relieve himself, highlights the urgent nature of these conditions.
Whelan notes, “It’s easy to forget this is shift work.” Early morning shifts in adverse weather can strip away the romantic notion of the job.
