Apprentice Train Driver- Manchester

XC Trains Limited; Manchester; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday allowance 30 days+1 per year

Defined benefit pension

Free travel on Arriva Rail services

Major railway company discounts

Discounted European rail travel after

Access to Arriva Village discounts

Job summary

Arriva is seeking an Apprentice Train Driver in Manchester. You will join a safety‑driven team and participate in a fully supported training programme designed to make you a qualified Train Driver.

The role offers a starting salary of £33,863 per annum, rising to £44,865 on completing training, with a commitment to the 35–39‑week programme and location within commuting distance of the depot.

Qualifications

• Prioritise safety and take personal responsibility for maintaining a safe and supportive working environment
• Bring a positive, proactive approach to learning, collaboration, and supporting others
• Meet the Rail Industry Standards requirements (reasonable adjustments considered where needed)
• Be able to commit to the 35–39-week training programme starting in 2026/27 with full team support

Responsibilities

• Live within 1 hour of the depot you are applying to.
• Join a structured, fully supported training programme to become a fully qualified Train Driver.

Job description

Role Overview

Apprentice Train Driver - Manchester

Starting salary: £33,863 per annum, rising to £44,865 on completion of training

Are you looking for a rewarding career where you can make a difference every day? Join us as an Apprentice Train Driver and be part of a team that plays a vital role in delivering a safe, reliable, and pivotal service for our customers. We’re proud to welcome people from all walks of life into our workforce. Whether you’re changing careers or just starting out, we’ll provide a structured, fully supported training programme to help you become a fully qualified Train Driver.

We are looking for people who will

• Prioritise safety and take personal responsibility for maintaining a safe and supportive working environment
• Bring a positive, proactive approach to learning, collaboration, and supporting others
• Be committed to delivering excellent, accessible, and inclusive service to all our customers
• Meet the relevant Rail Industry Standards requirements (reasonable adjustments considered where needed)
• Be able to commit to the 35–39-week training programme (starting in 2026/27) with full support from our team to help you succeed
• Live within 1 hour of the depot you are applying to. (We’re happy to discuss flexibility or adjustments where needed)

Benefits

• Holiday, starts on 30 days, goes up by one day a year up to 35 days
• Pension is defined benefit, so contributions can vary but benefit is fixed and inflated each year
• Free travel on Arriva Rail services (CrossCountry and Grand Central)
• 75% off other UK rail companies
• Discounted European rail travel after one year
• Access to the ‘Arriva’s Village’ (offering web-based discounts on various products/services on the high street)

Recruitment Process

We’re committed to a fair and inclusive selection process, and we believe that transparency helps everyone feel confident and supported throughout the recruitment process. Once you’ve submitted your application, our recruitment team will review it against the role criteria, and you’ll hear from us about next steps within two to three weeks. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to an online assessment, with plenty of notice and clear guidance to help you succeed. The selection process includes: A review of your online application Online assessments (facilitated by our assessment partner, SHL) Train Driver Psychometric Testing Values Alignment meeting A safety-critical medical This process can take several months to complete and will normally result in successful candidates being held in our talent pool until a vacancy arises at their chosen location. When a vacancy arises, the preferred candidate will be selected from the talent pool, formally offered an apprentice Train Driver role and given a start date. The start date will normally align to the commencement of your training, which you must complete before you can be authorised to drive a train without being supervised by a qualified / licensed Train Driver.

Diversity and Inclusion

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences including women, people from ethnic minority / global majority backgrounds, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, LGBTQ+ colleagues, and those with caring responsibilities. We believe inclusion drives innovation, and we’re proud to be building a culture where everyone can thrive and reach their full potential.

Company Overview

Arriva is a leading provider of passenger transport across Europe, employing around 34,400 people and delivering around 1.6 billion passenger journeys. With buses, trains, coaches, trams, waterbuses, bike-sharing systems, on-demand transport solutions and a rolling stock leasing company, Arriva proudly connects people and communities safely, reliably and sustainably across 11 countries, delivering these services in a better way, every day. The activities of Arriva are divided into four business units: UK Bus, UK Trains, The Netherlands and Mainland Europe. Arriva has passenger transport operations in the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom, and also operates a rolling stock leasing company in Romania.