3 Avanti West Coast jobs in the United Kingdom

Apprentice Train Driver - Newcastle

Starting salary: £32,717 per annum, rising to £43,347 on completion of training

Are you looking for a rewarding career where you can make a difference every day?

Join us as an Apprentice Train Driver and be part of a team that plays a vital role in delivering a safe, reliable, and pivotal service for our customers.

We're proud to welcome people from all walks of life into our workforce. Whether you're changing careers or just starting out, we'll provide a structured, fully supported training programme to help you become a fully qualified Train Driver.

We are looking for people who will:

• Prioritise safety and take personal responsibility for maintaining a safe and supportive working environment

• Bring a positive, proactive approach to learning, collaboration, and supporting others

• Be committed to delivering excellent, accessible, and inclusive service to all our customers
• Meet the relevant Rail Industry Standards requirements (reasonable adjustments considered where needed)
• Be able to commit to the 35–39-week training programme (starting in 2026/27) with full support from our team to help you succeed
• Be able to work shifts, with very early starts and late finishes
• Live within 1 hour of the depot you are applying to.
• Internal candidates will also go through an internal review which will consist of a full check of absence (in line with MFA), Line Manager reference of performance and conduct in role; A review of any safety incidents which have occurred, and any live and previous disciplinaries (these will be reviewed and considered by your current line manager and future line manager)

If you're passionate about learning and ready for a new challenge, we'd love to hear from you.

Benefits

We're proud to offer a range of benefits designed to support you both at work and at home including enhanced parental leave, flexible working options, health and wellbeing support, and career development opportunities.

Other benefits include:

• Holiday, starts on 30 days, goes up by one day a year up to 35 days
• You can buy more holiday
• Pension is defined benefit, so contributions can vary but benefit is fixed and inflated each year
• Free travel on Arriva Rail services (CrossCountry, Chiltern, London Overground and Grand Central) plus reciprocal travel on West Midlands Trains in the Birmingham area
• 75% off other UK rail companies
• Discounted European rail travel after one year
• Access to the 'Arriva's Village' (offering web based discounts on various products/services on the high street

Recruitment Process

We're committed to a fair and inclusive selection process, and we believe that transparency helps everyone feel confident and supported throughout the recruitment process. Once you've submitted your application, our recruitment team will review it against the role criteria, and you'll hear from us about next steps within two to three weeks. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to an online assessment, with plenty of notice and clear guidance to help you succeed.

The selection process includes:

• A review of your online application
• Online assessments (facilitated by our assessment partner, SHL)
• Train Driver Psychometric Testing
• Values Alignment meeting
• A safety-critical medical

Please note: You must be 20 years old or above to apply for this role. Due to the structured nature of the training programme, successful applicants must attend on the specified dates. Annual leave will be scheduled in line with the training plan.

Apply by: 3rd November 2025.

At CrossCountry, we're committed to building a workplace where everyone feels they belong, a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve and the passengers we support every day.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences including women, people from ethnic minority / global majority backgrounds, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, LGBTQ+ colleagues, and those with caring responsibilities.

We're a Disability Confident employer, and we're happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process or in the workplace to ensure everyone can perform at their best. If there's something we can do to support you, please let us know in confidence when you apply.

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Posted 19 September 2025

Salary £45,551

LocationHolyhead

Job type Permanent - Full Time

Reference

Job FunctionTrain Driver

Could this be your ticket to a new career? Don't miss this brilliant opportunity to become one of next generation of train drivers for Avanti West Coast based out of Holyhead

You'll learn from the industry's leading drivers, trainers and mentors and gain the top-class skills needed to drive some of the country's best trains. Along the way you'll also get a well-rounded view of our operation, the business and the future of the rail industry.

Training takes up to two years and can be intense. However, it's also exciting and at the end you'll have one of the best jobs there is. So, if you are age 20 and a half or older, share your spark and apply today.

You need:

• GCSEs (Grade A*- C or equivalent) or Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths, English and ICT skills
• The right to work in the UK (without restrictions)

Don't have the academic qualifications? You can still apply. If you are right for the role, you can be supported to achieve them.

To be eligible for a role as a trainee driver, you must:

• Be able to commit to completing the Level 3 Train Driver Apprenticeship programme.
• Be able to work shifts including weekends and nights.
• Live within 60 minutes of Holyhead depot and be able to make your own way into the depot at all times, including when public transport is not available.
• Be able to provide an excellent service for our customers.
• Be able to follow safety critical instructions.
• Be able to comply with the company's Drugs and Alcohol Policy, Rules, and Procedures
• Be happy to wear your uniform with pride and to Avanti West Coast Standards

To be successful you must:

• Pass the Trainee Driver psychometric test process.
• Pass the driver standard medical examination, including Ishihara colour blindness test.
• Take on both academic and practical training at the required level, as well as applying what you've learned and being able to pass the relevant assessments.
• Be punctual at all times.
• Listen to instructions and follow them.
• Communicate effectively and assist, colleagues, and customers in the interests of safety and/or customer service.
• Learn new information and apply it in practice.
• Be comfortable with lone working and have the ability to concentrate for long periods of time.
• Show previous experience of establishing relationships with customers.

What's in it for you?

You will get top level training; be part of a great team and you could reach a salary of around £77,000 within a few years. Plus, there are all the brilliant Avanti West Coast benefits including:

• Competitive starting salary

• A defined benefit salary scheme

• Free travel across the Avanti West Coast network for you and your family

• Discounted travel with other Train Operating Companies

• Employee Assistance Programme

Don't miss out. Apply today.