JOBS & CAREERS SPRING 2018 - 254

All
aboard

With the government investing in the railways in the UK,
this is an industry with the promise of progress

T

he UK rail industry employs more
than 190,000 people, from train
drivers and station staff to those
responsible for managing and maintaining
the network's 20,000 miles of bridges,
track and tunnels. Every year, there are
more than 1.3 billion passenger journeys,
including 270 million business trips.

Train driver
The primary role of a train driver is to
operate trains, but there's more to the job
than driving. You have to keep to a strict
schedule and keep your passengers and
cargo safe. Another aspect is to check all
the equipment before a journey and make
sure correct protocol is followed during
it. With experience and training you can
become a rail controller and line manager.
What skills and qualifications do
I need? You don't need any formal
qualifications other than GCSEs in
maths and English, although you do

need to understand the technical
side, so a background in mechanics or
electrical engineering would help.
You will be required to pass medical
checks on your sight, colour vision
and hearing, and need to react quickly,
calmly and safely to unexpected
problems. It takes between nine months
and two years to train to be a driver
and you'll be tested along the way.
How much can I earn? Trainee drivers
earn between £20,000 and £30,000, but
once you're qualified pay can rise to as
much as £55,000. You may also get free
train travel across the country as a perk.

Rail track maintenance worker
In this ideal job for practical-minded
people, you'll be responsible for laying
and repairing track using drills, hand
tools and heavy machinery, as well as
checking lines are in good condition,
clearing any obstructions and reporting

accidents or anything untoward going
on. With experience you could become
a team leader or supervisor and with
training there are opportunities to be
a track inspector or track designer.
What skills and qualifications do
I need? No formal qualifications are
required, but experience in construction
or mechanics would be useful because
you'll need to be good at mechanical work,
as well as a team player and physically fit.
How much can I earn? Trainees start
on £18,000 and can go up to £21,000.
If you get promoted to supervisor
level, you can earn around £34,000.

Railway engineer
This role has responsibility for building
and servicing mechanical and electrical
2 5 4 /// J O B S & C A R E E R S



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JOBS & CAREERS SPRING 2018

http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/Careers/jcspring2018
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/Careers/JobsandCareersAutumn2017
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/Careers/YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2017
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/Careers/Careers/Careers_with_Hayley_Taylor_2011
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