Job Title: Trainee Train Conductor
BUSINESS FUNCTION: Operations
SALARY: Basic salary of £27,460 until successful completion of training (for approximately 3 months); rising to £37,132 per annum on completion of training. Plus, commission, overtime and the Northern benefits package.
ROLE TYPE: Full Time.
LOCATION: Manchester
HOURS: Rolling 35 per week. Shift pattern includes evenings, nights and weekends (for example:03:00– 10:30,07:00 – 16:30, 15:30 – 12:30, 18:00 – 02:30).
START DATE: Please note this is for 2027 recruitment, with the first course scheduled in January. Attendance at an in-person Assessment Day in Manchester on Monday 30th November 2026 is mandatory for successful applicants. Please only apply if you are available to attend on this date.
As a Train Conductor, you'll be the face of our service, ensuring the efficient operation of our trains while providing exceptional customer care. From checking tickets to managing onboard safety and looking after passengers, you can be sure that no two days will ever be the same.
What you'll be doing
Key responsibilities
As a Train Conductor, every day is unique bringing new faces and fresh challenges. Your main duties include:
Train Operations: Coordinate with Drivers and Operational Teams keeping the train running smoothly, stick to schedules, monitor signals, and stay in touch with Control.
Customer Assistance: Help passengers on and off, check tickets, provide information & handle inquires, ensure a safe, comfortable journey, assist vulnerable customers, deescalate conflicts, and maintain a welcoming atmosphere.
Safety & Compliance: Enforce safety rules, manage door procedures, conduct inspections, and handle emergencies, including leading evacuations if needed. You’ll be fully trained and regularly assessed on all safety standards.
Fare Collection: Collect fares, validate tickets, and tackle fare evasion.
Communication: Provide updates on delays or disruptions, relaying important information to passengers.
Reporting: Maintain accurate records of customer counts, ticket sales and detailed reports on incidents, faults and delays.
Customer Service: Deliver a professional service, handle complaints, and create a positive enjoyable travel experience.
Utilise Tech: Daily use of technology including tablets and body worn cameras.
Knowledge Retention: Learn and retain high volumes of detailed information relating to safety standards, with regular assessments to keep your skills sharp.
About you
The role of a Train Conductor is safety critical and is subject to Rail Safety & Standards Board (RSSB) regulations. You MUST meet the following criteria for this position, or your application will be automatically rejected:
Currently live within a 45-minute car journey from the station you work from.
Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application.
Pass the RIS3452 Train Worker medical assessment, including drugs and alcohol screening.
Commit to working early, late and weekend shifts – without relying on public transport (for example: 03:00 – 10:30, 07:00 – 16:30, 15:30 – 12:30, 18:00 – 02:30).
You will also posses the following skill set :
Exceptional communication skills. You’ll be personable, courteous, empathetic, patient and able to demonstrate outstanding customer service.
You will have the ability to handle and defuse conflicts, offering effective conflict resolution strategies.
Self-disciplined, with the ability to work independently using your own initiative.
Able to work to and enforce strict industry standard rules and regulations.
Punctual with excellent time management skills, ensuring your train departs as scheduled.
Resilient and adaptable with the ability to face multiple different challenges and prioritise them depending on risk.
Good problem-solving skills.
Excellent concentration skills, remaining focused on repetitive tasks whilst managing distractions.
Situational awareness with the ability to anticipate and react appropriately to hazards or potential problems.
Able to learn and retain high volumes of detailed safety information which will be regularly assessed to ensure knowledge is maintained at the highest level.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION– PLEASE READ:
The recruitment process for this role is expected to take approximately three months due to the nature of the position and required training. We receive an incredibly high volume of applications and screen each one with careful consideration, so you may not hear back from us for up to 12 weeks whilst it’s still being processed.
Successful candidates will be invited to a face-to-face assessment day, which will include both individual & group assessments and competency-based questions. If you pass the final interview stage, a conditional offer will be made, subject to available training course placements and passing required medical, DBS and reference checks.
Due to the high volume of applications, we receive, anyone that has interviewed for a conductor position within a 1-year timeframe could be automatically rejected.
We do not accept AI applications. Any suspected use of AI as part of your application will also result in immediate rejection.
Northern reserves the right to close recruitment for this role before the published closing date, if high volumes of applications are received.
The trainee conductor course is delivered in house as part of a 1-year apprenticeship programme, finishing with an end-point assessment.
Please note as part of the programme you will have a 3-month intensive training period which is delivered in a classroom learning setting during normal office hours. The focus of this training is the safety critical information you will have to learn, to become a fully qualified conductor. During the first 9 weeks of the course, you are not allowed to take any annual leave. Our training centres are in Leeds and Manchester, so you may be required to travel to attend. However, hotels are provided to those living over 1.5 hours away.
What’s in it for you?
At Northern, we don’t just value our people - we go the extra mile to support them. Here’s a taste of what you can look forward to:
Why Northern?
We’re more than just a train operator. We’re the heartbeat of the North - connecting communities, creating opportunities, and driving sustainable growth. With 2,500 trains running daily, we’re on a mission to improve rail travel and enhance the customer experience while protecting the environment.
Back in 1825, the first passenger train set off in the North of England, after which rail quickly spread across the globe - and this year, we’re celebrating 200 years of the modern railway. As we look back on the historic events that led us here, we also look towards the future as we move into the era of Great British Rail. Join us at this pivotal moment in rail history and play your part in our journey.
A place for everyone
The best journeys happen when everyone feels welcome on board.
At Northern, we don’t just move people from A to B - we’re building a team where everyone feels they belong. Our talent team can make reasonable adjustments to the process if that’s something you need. We're also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer, so if you meet the minimum criteria for the role, we’ll always offer an interview.
We automate parts of our screening process to remove any unconscious bias and to make sure every application is treated fairly. All successful offers will be subject to a DBS check and a medical assessment.
No matter your background, experience, or whether you call it a bap, barm, or cob… there’s a place for you here in the railway.
