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Train conductor
Train guard, train crew, senior conductor
Train conductors issue tickets to rail passengers and make sure that their journeys are safe and comfortable.
Average salary (a year)
£23000
Starter
£36000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
43.0 to 45.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends / bank holidays
on shifts
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You can get into this job through:a college course; an apprenticeship; working towards this role; applying directly
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
You'll usually need:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
search for courses|/find-a-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
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
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.
Direct Application
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.
More Information
Career Tips
Experience of working with the public in retail or customer service could give you an advantage. It will also help if you have good knowledge of UK geography and the rail network.
Further Information
You can find out more about train operating companies through the Rail Delivery Group.
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
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
Digital Skills Level
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Related Restrictions
pass a medical check
be screened for drugs and alcohol
Day to day tasks
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
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
Working environment
You could work on a station platform or from a vehicle.
You may need to wear a uniform.
Your working environment may be crowded, cramped and outdoors some of the time.
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.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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