Arriva Group
Qualified Train Driver

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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
Are you a fully qualified train driver with at least 2 years productive train driving experience who holds a European Train Driving Licence?
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.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour 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 breakdownIt 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.
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.
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.
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


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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...
Arriva is a leading provider of passenger transport across Europe, employing around 34,400 people and delivering around 1.6 billion passenger journeys. With buses, trains, coaches, trams, waterbuses, bike-sharing systems, on-demand transport solutions and a rolling stock leasing company, Arriva proudly connects people and communities safely, reliably and sustainably across 11 countries, delivering these services in a better way, every day.
The activities of Arriva are divided into four business units: UK Bus, UK Trains, The Netherlands and Mainland Europe. Arriva has passenger transport operations in the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom, and also operates a rolling stock leasing company in Romania.
Thanks for your interest in working on our team!! Our expansion is opening up exciting prospects! As our team grows, we’re on the lookout for the brightest talent to join us. Our ongoing success hinges on this! After reviewing our available positions, we encourage you to apply to those that resonate with your skills. Stay updated on your application status and be alerted to new opportunities that capture your interest! We’re grateful for your consideration to become a part of our dynamic team!
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