Updating skills to become a conductor

[Welshchick]

Ashamed to say, I posted on here a couple of years ago and didn't pursue a train driver application. I'm 40 now and decided now is the right time to go for it! I would like to become a conductor first and really learn and understand the movements of the railway.

I have read and researched a lot for a trainee conductor role. I believe I know what is required for this job. So what is holding me back...well, I have a had quite a lot of customer service roles in my life (post office, retail, food, homeware etc) however these were from many years ago and for short stints 1-3 months each whilst in between uni and other commitments. My last customer facing role was in 2021 - no reference for this now. Since that time I have lived abroad and worked for myself. I don't really have any relevant, and up to date experience or references. I am worried about this. I am thinking of enhancing my experience and skills but getting a temporary factory job before applying - this would enable me to talk about the safety aspects of a job and demonstrate shift work. I believe I would be in a much better position then to apply.

I guess my concern is still with the references and not having up to date customer service experience. Would this matter? How picky are they? I just want to stand a good chance when I apply. I'm a qualified teacher but didn't go into the classroom (only worked as an online tutor).

Advice would be much appreciated!

 

[Ridetherails]

Apply, be yourself. If you have experience you have experience. Just be positive, genuine and be yourself

They tend to employ you as a person, not always the role you apply for. Every TOC is different, so that’s the best advice I can give you

 

[JLyons]

I wouldn’t mention that your ultimate aim is to go driving! But other than that go for it, pass the tests and then impress them at interview. They will be able to tell if your the right person for the job & it sounds like you’ve got plenty of transferable skills and experience.

 

[43066]

I would like to become a conductor first and really learn and understand the movements of the railway.

Why is this, out of interest? All being a conductor will teach you is how to really understand the conductor role, with little wider context. There’s also a non negligible risk that you’ll fail the train driver selection and then end up permanently doing a role you never really wanted.

 

[Welshchick]

I thought maybe it would be easier route to get a driving job becoming a conductor first. I heard TWF likes to hire internal candidates. Perhaps I'm wrong on that. Should i just apply for a driving job then, or maybe both if I can?

 

[43066]

I thought maybe it would be easier route to get a driving job becoming a conductor first. I heard TWF likes to hire internal candidates. Perhaps I'm wrong on that. Should i just apply for a driving job then, or maybe both if I can?

Personally I’d go for driving directly. I also don’t think it’s necessarily the case at all that becoming a conductor is an easier route to get a driver’s key; the experience of TMs where I am (admittedly not TFW) is that it has been hard to get a job as a driver - to the point where many have ended up going elsewhere to get a key.

That stands to reason when you think about it because, if a TM is put onto a driver course, the company then has to hire another TM. The former TM on the driver’s course will (depending on agreements in place) retain their old salary while training, and may well be entitled to be given their old job back if they wash out of training for any reason. “Off the street” driver applicants, on the other hand, can be got rid of much more easily if things don’t work out.

 

[LowLevel]

Becoming a conductor in an attempt to ease the path to becoming a driver is a recipe to make yourself miserable.

If it's a job you actually want to do for a while then look at driving when you want a change then go for it - that's a different thing.

If the plan is to be a driver then just put in for driving.

They have very different skill sets and it's quite easy if you're not committed to it to be stuck as a conductor and hate the job, particularly if the driver tests go wrong.

 

[Welshchick]

Becoming a conductor in an attempt to ease the path to becoming a driver is a recipe to make yourself miserable.

If it's a job you actually want to do for a while then look at driving when you want a change then go for it - that's a different thing.

If the plan is to be a driver then just put in for driving.

They have very different skill sets and it's quite easy if you're not committed to it to be stuck as a conductor and hate the job, particularly if the driver tests go wrong.

I would prefer a driving job but would be happy to do a conductors job too. Definitely wouldn't be upset about doing that for a good few years but I see your point.

Is it possible to apply for both? Also, I see on this forum that some people put in applications for multiple depots. I thought you could only put in one application at a time, or have the rules changed now?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Jun 2025 ==

Also, slightly off topic but are some TOCs more in favour of taking on females? I spoke with a train driver who said his company would choose a female over a male if she had the same attitudes. I don't believe him for a second though!

 

[43066]

Is it possible to apply for both?

Probably, but it won’t do you many favours in terms of credibility as a candidate, as it suggests a scattergun approach by someone who just wants to join the railway, rather than someone who has put genuine thought into which of two very different jobs will suit them and why. That’s especially the case if your current role is obviously less secure/well paid than either of the two railway roles you’ve applied for.

Also, slightly off topic but are some TOCs more in favour of taking on females? I spoke with a train driver who said his company would choose a female over a male if she had the same attitudes. I don't believe him for a second though!

TOCs are certainly keen to employ more females, and have run recruitment campaigns targeting them. I don’t think that correspond to actively choosing them over equally qualified males - and indeed most drivers courses still yield a majority of male candidates.

 

[Ridetherails]

Personally I disagree. I don’t know how it’s with TfL but with my TOC I’ve been actively encouraged ( after expressing an interest ) to apply for a driver position ( even with a different TOC ).

Yes I feel it puts you in a slightly better position than off the street as you have an understanding, especially the safety critical role you will be filling and will certainly help you on your MMI.

Regarding taking on one characteristic over another. I don’t think anyone would openly admit to bias, but if the people score the same I wouldn’t be surprised if they leaned towards one demographic over another for equal opportunities. But that’s pure speculation.

I do agree with not mentioning about the driving desire if going for a conductor role though as why would someone hire you if you’re using them as a stepping stone given the cost it takes to train someone with no tie in?