Apprentice MPV Train driver

Balfour Beatty plc; Tonbridge; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive annual leave

Pension

Share incentive plan

Volunteering leave

Recognition schemes

Job summary

Balfour Beatty Rail in the UK is offering an Apprentice Train Driver role within our MPV team. The 10-month training programme leads to a Level 3 Train Driver Apprenticeship and provides practical experience alongside classroom learning.

From 29 March 2027, you'll develop skills, drive MPVs for maintenance, complete vehicle checks, and join a supportive team while building a long-term career in the rail industry. No prior rail experience is required, with a focus on safety, teamwork and growth.

Qualifications

• No previous rail experience is required.
• Have a positive attitude and a willingness to learn.
• Are dependable, professional, and safety-conscious.
• Communicate effectively and work well with others.
• Enjoy taking responsibility and solving problems.
• Can adapt to shift working and changing operational requirements.
• Want to build a long-term career within the rail industry.

Responsibilities

• Learn to safely drive MPVs in line with railway rules, procedures, and standards.
• Support track treatment activities across the rail network.
• Carry out vehicle inspections and safety of the line checks.
• Develop route knowledge and operational competence through structured training
• Work closely with route teams, maintenance staff, and our 24/7 Control function
• Ensure all activities are completed safely and efficiently while maintaining high professional standards

Skills

Positive attitude

Willingness to learn

Dependable

Professional

Safety-conscious

Effective communication

Job description

About the role

Balfour Beatty Rail is looking for motivated individuals to join our MPV team as an Apprentice Train Driver.

Whether you're beginning your career, changing direction, or looking for a new challenge with long-term prospects, this is an opportunity to develop specialist skills in a role that makes a real difference to the UK's railway.

Our 10-month training programme combines practical experience with classroom-based learning, leading to a Level 3 Train Driver Apprenticeship. Throughout the programme, you'll be supported by experienced colleagues who will help you build the knowledge, confidence, and competence needed to succeed in the role.

The programme will commence on 29th March 2027.

At Balfour Beatty, we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences and recognise that diverse teams help us deliver our best work.

What you'll be doing

As an Apprentice Train Driver, you'll learn to drive specialist Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPVs) that support the maintenance and improvement of Network Rail infrastructure. These vehicles play a critical role in keeping the railway safe, reliable, and operational for passengers and freight services across the UK.

You will:

• Learn to safely drive MPVs in line with railway rules, procedures, and standards


• Support track treatment activities across the rail network


• Carry out vehicle inspections and safety of the line checks.


• Develop route knowledge and operational competence through structured training


• Work closely with route teams, maintenance staff, and our 24/7 Control function


• Ensure all activities are completed safely and efficiently while maintaining high professional standards

Who we're looking for

No previous rail experience is required.

We're looking for people who:

• Have a positive attitude and a willingness to learn


• Are dependable, professional, and safety-conscious


• Communicate effectively and work well with others


• Enjoy taking responsibility and solving problems


• Can adapt to shift working and changing operational requirements


• Want to build a long-term career within the rail industry

What you'll gain

• A Level 3 Train Driver Apprenticeship


• Structured training, mentoring, and ongoing development


• Practical experience in a unique and specialist railway role


• A clear career pathway within Balfour Beatty Rail


• The opportunity to work within a supportive and inclusive team


• A career that contributes to keeping the UK's rail network running safely and efficiently

This isn't just a job; it's the start of a long-term career in an industry that keeps Britain moving.

Why work for us

Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.

Why join us?

As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn't rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You'll have the freedom to shape the package that's right for you and your life. Here are some of our key benefits:

• You'll receive a competitive annual leave entitlement, which may vary depending on your role, site, working pattern and applicable terms and conditions.


• Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave


• Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more…

About us

Balfour Beatty works at the heart of the UK’s rail networks – designing, enhancing and maintaining thousands of miles of the railways that connect communities and underpin growth.

From feasibility studies, planning and design through to implementation and asset management, we provide multi-disciplinary rail infrastructure services across the lifecycle of rail assets. Our expertise covers electrification, track, power, civils, specialist rail plant, railway systems and technologies.

Diversity and inclusion

At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit www.balfourbeatty.com/diversityandinclusion

To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture we are members of WISE, enti, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/

We are looking to continually improve our resourcing process and ensure that it is fair and inclusive for all. If you have any feedback on the process, please share this with us at [e-mail]