The United Kingdom’s railway system belongs to the largest in the world. Trains and rails have played a big role in the country’s history. It has innovated the way of traveling people and goods and up until now, railway systems are still supported. Most of all, the railway system has given great job opportunities to those who are fit for the job and interested.
Aside from good paying jobs in the field like railway managers and maintenance head, another job that includes a good amount of salary and benefits is driving the train. Train drivers’ annual salary in United Kingdom ranges from £30,000 – £40,000 depending on the railway company. Compensation aside, the benefits of a train driver alone is also really good and useful.
Every train driver and their spouse have the privilege of riding the trains on the railway system they are working for for free. They also have a 75% discount on the other railway companies. Train drivers are protected by the union as well giving them the benefit of job security. Like any other employee in the railway system, everybody’s rights are protected and every contract is followed whatever position a person works for.
Another reason to love the job is its four day work basis. Train drivers only work for four days, thirty six hours a week amidst having a broken schedule. This is a plus side on the job since one can have more free time though their work hours change a lot. Train drivers can enjoy their workspace all to themselves as well. Many prefer to work in an environment where they have lesser interaction with others and working as a train driver would be an excellent example.
Even with a high pay and great benefits, being hired for the job isn’t all that easy. Railway companies value their business and service and the safety of everybody is always the main goal. Actually, there isn’t any formal education when driving a train. Because of this, the HR of every railway company looks for someone who seems responsible and can be trusted. Driving a train that has hundreds of passengers requires massive accountability and a train driver must have certain qualities in order to get the job. Once the hopeful applicants are accepted, they are then trained and counseled for driving a train and handling different railway situations. With a job that entails unique qualities, almost three hundred applicants compete for each spot whenever there’s a vacancy.
