Great Western Railway (GWR) Hiring for Trainee Train Driver, Bristol, Westbury Full Time

Who are we?

GWR is the proud custodian of Brunel’s railway – one of the most prestigious networks in the world. We have some of the newest trains in the country and exciting plans to extend our services. With more than one hundred million passenger journeys each year, we carry people to over 275 stations in the South West, from Cornwall and South Wales to London, passing through beautiful country and some of the UK’s top tourist destinations.

We are transforming the way people think about train travel, empowering our team of over 6,000 people from all different backgrounds to make it a great experience for our customers. Together, we will revalue rail as a very special way to travel – relaxing, fast, efficient, friendly and fun.

About the team?

This role s to the Driver Management Team at Bristol Temple Meads or Westbury, depending on the depot applied for.

About the role?

Our Trainee driver is a role is for those passionate about customer service.

Train Drivers play a crucial role in setting a new standard for rail in the 21st Century which is focused on creating a relaxed, fast, efficient, and fun experience for our passengers. In addition to driving our customers to their destinations, giving amazing customer service, following the correct procedures, and working with colleagues to ensure our services runs efficiently.

Our Trainee Driver programme requires hard work, a commitment to an intensive period of training and exceptional attention to detail but offers a rewarding career with the opportunity to be part of the changing future of travel. There will be assessments throughout your training period, both practical and academic, which will give you all the tools and support you need to progress through to a Qualified Driver.

Your main responsibilities will be:

• To pass all relevant regular assessments towards progressing to a Qualified Train Driver.
• Driving a train safely while training in a punctual and economical manner
• Abiding by our policies and Rules that are in place for safety purposes.
• Locate, and where possible, rectify faults, following the correct ing procedures
• Maintaining a productive and professional relationship with your colleagues, Trainers and others involved in your training.

About you?

You’ll need to be:

• Able to commit to working hard during an extensive and intensive period of training in a class-room based environment and in the role.
• Able to work a variety of shifts including weekends and nights, while responsible for making your own way into the depot for these shifts, including when public transport is not available.
• Willing to provide an excellent service for our customers.
• Able to comply with the Drugs and Alcohol Policy, Rules and Procedures
• Willing to wear uniform issued, to meet GWR Standards

As a minimum you’ll need to have:

• The ability to pass the Trainee Driver ability testing and to pass the driver standard medical examination
• The ability to listen to instructions and follow them.
• The ability to communicate effectively.
• The ability and willingness to learn new information and apply it in practice.
• The ability to work alone and concentrate for long periods of time
• Previous experience of establishing relationships with customers…
• The ability to live within a maximum of 60 minutes travelling time to the depot, whether using your own transport or public transport. This is not negotiable.

Do you want the best seat in the train?

Drive your career forward with our Trainee Driver role.

This could be your window for a new career!

Apply now, to be in with a chance of becoming one of our Trainee Drivers, with a great training salary of £28,268, rising to £60,124 when fully qualified!

Additional Information:

We are recruiting for a Talent Pool for Trainee Drivers for 2023/24 and later. Therefore, role offers to successful candidates will be dependent on the Business Work Force Plan and the number of vacancies arising at the depot

If successful at all elements of the recruitment process, you will be placed in this Talent Pool for the depot applied for, pending available vacancies in 2023/24 at the specified depot

Some of the courses available for these roles will be apprenticeship courses, leading to a nationally accredited qualification at Level 3.

We all belong at GWR. This is our vision for providing an inclusive environment for all our colleagues, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment.

We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA, ethnicity, religion and disability. We maintain zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.

We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.

We review all roles and job descriptions to ensure they are accessible and, where possible, we support and provide flexible working options; we recommend that you refer to each vacancy description for further details.

If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/

https://www.healthassured.org/blog/neurodiversity/