JobsAndCareersSpringIssue2017 - 242

Coach driver
As well as safely driving passengers to
their destinations your job will involve
helping people, so customer service skills
are important. You will need to keep the
vehicle clean, put luggage on and off the
coach, complete basic vehicle checks and
give route and timetable information.
What skills do I need? You will need a
Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) licence
and the Driver Certificate of Professional
Competence (CPC Driver) which you will
train for on the job, before you are
allowed to drive passengers. You will
need excellent driving skills, of course,
have good knowledge of the area you are
travelling to and from and have good
communication skills as well as have the
ability to deal with difficult passengers.
How can I progress? With experience,
you could become a Depot Supervisor
or Manager, or train to instruct and
examine other drivers. Another option
is to become a Heavy Vehicle Mechanic.
What can I earn? Starting salary is
between £14,000 and £17,000 but with
experience your annual pay can go up to
somewhere in the region of £25,000.

Train drivers have to keep to
a strict schedule and make sure
passengers and cargo are safe

RAIL
Rail track maintenance worker
A job for practically minded people, you
will be responsible for laying and
repairing track using drills, hand tools
and heavy machinery, as well as checking
lines are in good condition, clearing any
obstructions and reporting accidents or
anything untoward going on.
What skills do I need? No formal
qualifications are required, but previous
experience in construction or mechanics
would be useful as you'll need to be
good at mechanical work, a team player
and physically fit.
How can I progress? With experience you
could become a team leader or supervisor
and if you have training there are
opportunities to be a Track Inspector,
Engineering Technician or Track Designer.
What can I earn? You will start on
£18,000 and with training will go up
to £21,000. If you get to supervisor level
you can earn around £34,000.

Train driver
The primary role of a train driver is to
operate trains, but there's more to the job
2 4 2 /// J O B S & C A R E E R S

than just driving. You have to keep to a
strict schedule and keep your passengers
and cargo safe. Another aspect is to check
all the equipment before a journey and
make sure correct protocol is followed
throughout its duration.
What skills do I need? You don't need
any formal qualifications other than
GCSEs in maths and English, although
you need to understand the technical
side, so a background in mechanics or
electrical engineering would help.
You will be required to pass medical
checks on your sight, colour vision and
hearing, and need to react quickly,
calmly and safely to unexpected
problems. It takes between nine months
and two years to train to be a driver and
you'll be tested along the way.
How can I progress? You can become a
Rail Controller and Line Manager with
experience and further training.
What can I earn? Trainee drivers earn
between £20,000 to £30,000 but once
you're qualified, pay can rise to £35,000
to £55,000 and you may get free train
travel across the country as a perk.

Railway engineer
This role is responsible for building
and servicing mechanical and electrical
systems on locomotives and rolling stock,
therefore you could be building engines
and carriages, fitting out new carriages
with lighting, upholstery and control
panels or repairing or replacing parts.
What skills do I need? You'll need to
have experience as a Mechanical Fitter
or Electrician, but it's possible to find
apprenticeships in rail transport
engineering and for these you'll normally
need four GCSEs (Grades A to C) in
maths, English and a science.
You'll need to be good at mechanics,
electrics and problem-solving, as well as
having good communication skills.
How can I progress? Work-based
qualifications will help you move
onwards in your role and in time you can
become Maintenance Team Leader or
Engineering Workshop Manager.
How much will I earn? You will start at
around £18,000, but with experience
can go up to £30,000 and you may get
discounted or free rail travel, too.
JobsAndCareersSpringIssue2017

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