Train conductor

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You could do a college course like a Level 2 Certificate in Customer Service, which would teach you some of the general skills you need. This may help when you apply for jobs.

Entry requirements:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

Apprenticeship

You may be able to get into this career by completing a passenger transport onboard and station team member intermediate apprenticeship with a train operating company.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Work

You may be able to move into this job after first working as a member of the platform or ticketing staff at a train station.

DirectApplication

There are no set entry qualifications if you want to apply directly to train operating companies, although employers will expect you to have a good standard of English and maths.

If selected for interview, companies will usually test you on your maths, communication, and customer service skills.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• customer service skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• knowledge of public safety and security
• the ability to work on your own
• the ability to work well with others
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• thinking and reasoning skills
• leadership skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to organise your time and workload
• complex problem-solving skills
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• knowledge of English language
• concentration skills
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• the ability to work well with your hands

What you'll do:

Train conductors issue tickets to rail passengers and make sure that their journeys are safe and comfortable.

On a typical day you may:

• check the carriages are clean before the start of a journey
• make sure equipment, doors and controls are working properly
• greet customers and create a welcoming atmosphere
• walk through carriages during the journey to check tickets and travel documents
• answer passengers' questions about routes, arrival times and connections
• make announcements over the public address system
• make sure passengers get on and off the train safely
• deal with unexpected delays or emergencies, for example a passenger falling ill

Location : You could work on a station platform or from a vehicle.
Environment : Your working environment may be crowded, cramped and outdoors some of the time.
Uniform : You may need to wear a uniform.

Salary:

Starter : £23,000
Experienced : £36,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

43 - 45 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

Career Path:

Train operating companies often promote existing station staff to conductor jobs, so you may be able to transfer from a platform assistant or onboard customer host role.

With experience, you may be able to move on to senior conductor or train manager, or transfer to a driver training programme.