Northern hiring 280 new train drivers and conductors with no previous experience needed

Northern is looking to recruit nearly 300 drivers and conductors across the North of England, including Greater Manchester, this year.

The train operator which serves a network of 15 million people says the role does not require any previous experience.

The company will train all new recruits at its academies based in Manchester and Leeds, with trainee driver’s salaries starting from £23,000 a year up to £54,500 once fully qualified.

Conductor roles are also available with a starting salary of £22,000 going up to £29,000 once fully qualified.

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said: “These are fantastic roles for anyone passionate about helping connect people and places across the region. We’ll be recruiting throughout the year – so people should register for job alerts on our website.

“Drivers and conductors represent a huge proportion of our workforce – if we can attract more people from a wider range of ethnicities and women into these roles, that’ll make a real difference. The rail industry has made great strides in many areas of diversity in recent years – but there is still much to be done.

“Some of the people at the control of our trains today started their career in the prison service, as cabin crew, as social care workers, in a veterinary practice and at least one as a wedding planner! No-one should think either of these roles ‘isn’t for them’ – the railway has much to offer.”

On how to apply for jobs with Northern, she added:  “These are fantastic roles for anyone passionate about helping connect people and places across the region.

“We’ll be recruiting throughout the year – so people should register for job alerts on our website.”

You can apply for a career with Northern via the website.