Rodeo
ResourcesPartnersSign in

Arriva Group

Qualified Train Driver

Sunderland
Posted 15 days ago
Sign up to applySee more jobs like this

How your CV stacks up

1Upload CV
2Analyse CV
3Improve CV

Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role

?%

Join the Grand Central Team as a Qualified Driver - Future Vacancies!

Organisation

Grand Central

Location

Sunderland

Vacancies

Please note this is for a talent pool vacancy for when positions become available in the future

The Role

As a Train Driver, it is your responsibility to ensure our customers reach their destination in a safe manner and on time. Our drivers work hard to maintain high levels of route and train knowledge to ensure that safety is kept at the forefront of our operations.

Although most of the time you will be working on your own in the driver’s cab, you will need to be able to communicate effectively with others in the wider team, including your Conductor, Dispatch and Control colleagues, and of course our customers.

You will work on a roster based on a 35-hour working week with varying shift lengths. A flexible approach towards shift working is required as sometimes you can start at 0300, sometimes you can finish at 0200, though rosters are provided in advance so you can plan. You will also be required to lodge on occasion in London overnight.

Full route training will be provided to successful applicants. Roles are based on a 35-hour working week over 7 days, averaged out over the roster cycle period.

What Will Be Involved

  • Ensure your personal safety and that of others at all times.
  • Maintain a safe and tidy working environment.
  • Comply with all relevant rules, procedures, and policies.
  • Undergo competence/proficiency assessments as required by company procedures and the Safety Management System (SMS).
  • Maintain currency of route or traction knowledge and notify line manager immediately of any route or traction knowledge shortfalls.
  • Prepare, drive, and dispose of traction units safely and as set out by the relevant instructions.
  • Identify, locate, and where necessary rectify or suitably tend to train and traction unit faults.
  • Follow the correct fault reporting procedures.
  • Ensure having received and understood any notices, bulletins, or other information relating to job and where required confirm receipt these in the prescribed manner.
  • Maintain currency of all personal publications and equipment.
  • Communicate effectively with and assist staff and customers in the interests of safety and customer service.
  • Wear uniform and safety clothing provided.

Reasons to use Rodeo

I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?

Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.

Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.

Start with a chat, not a search bar

Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.

P

Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme

PwC·London, UK
£35,000/yr

Why you're a good match

Strong

Your economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.

See breakdown
Save jobNot relevant
View details

It searches the market for you

Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.

Why you're a good match

You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.

See breakdown
Strong

Experience fit

Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.

See breakdown
Strong

Only hits

No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.

What You Bring

  • Train Driver – you must possess a European Train Driving Licence and have occupied your current post for 2 years following completion of training, including examination and route learning.
  • Knowledge – Thorough knowledge of operational rules, regulations, instructions relating to train driving.
  • Skills – ability to remain calm under pressure, remaining alert and vigilant at all times, customer-focused, punctual, and reliable.

You must live within 60 minutes drive of the depot or be able to relocate for the role.

About Us

We are an open-access train operator linking the North East and West Yorkshire with London, which means we don't get any sort of help from the government and our only loyalty is to our customers - it's in our interest to give you the best journey possible. We've been connecting London Kings Cross, Yorkshire, and the North East since 2007. Calling at the smaller stations means we're always looking to be active in the local community, through our various social responsibility programs and helping local organisations.

Get help with your application

Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.

Get help applying for this job

Grand Central Benefits

  • Contributory Pension Scheme: Arriva Workplace Pension Plan (AWPP) provided by Standard Life.
  • Unlimited Free Travel for you and your immediate family on all Grand Central services. In addition, we currently offer concessionary travel on other Arriva Trains UK franchises.
  • Employee Assistance Programme provided by Health Assured: free, confidential 24-hour telephone counselling and information services.

Benefits Available Upon Completion Of Probation Period (3-6 Months)

  • Friends & Family Passes: pro-rata allocation of return standard class journeys (terms & conditions apply).
  • Company Medical Insurance provided by AXA PPP Healthcare (taxable benefit).
  • Company Wellness Package (including dental/optical treatment) provided by WPA (taxable benefit).
  • Child Care Vouchers Scheme.
  • Cycle to Work Scheme.
  • Arriva Village employee rewards and benefits scheme.

Ready to start your next journey?

If you’re passionate about making a difference and supporting our Grand Central Team, we want to hear from you!

Let’s build the future together!

At Arriva, we acknowledge the importance of our people's diverse experiences, talents, and cultures. Embracing diversity and creating inclusion is a key component of our talent strategy. The creation of a diverse, inclusive workforce is central to our ability to unlock potential and enhance our success...

Trusted by 25,000+ job seekers

“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”

Jessica, London

Get help applying for this job

Skills

Train Driving
Safety Compliance
Route Knowledge
Communication
Customer Service
Problem Solving
Attention to Detail
Time Management
Vigilance
Calm Under Pressure
Reliability
Punctuality

Location

Sunderland, England, United Kingdom

Sign up to applySee more jobs like this