Northern is looking to recruit more than 300 drivers and conductors across the North of England this year - with roles available for those with no experience, paying up to £54,000. 

The train operator says the roles are part of a normal, ongoing process to recruit as and when existing staff members retire, earn promotions or join another company.

It is looking to hire 108 train drivers and 198 conductors in 2024 and say they are "actively encouraging" people with no rail industry experience to apply. Some positions are open in Darlington. 

Recruits will have to complete paid apprenticeships at one of Northern’s training academies in Leeds or Manchester.

The train driver roles, which will be advertised in the coming months in Barrow-in-Furness, Blackburn, Blackpool, Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Workington and York, come with a starting salary of £23,000 a year rising to £54,500 after recruits complete a 64-week training course. 

Conductor roles are set to be advertised in Barrow-in-Furness, Blackburn, Blackpool, Buxton, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle Skipton, Workington and York come with salaries starting at £22,000, rising to £29,000 once they complete a 16-week training course.

A small number of roles open to qualified drivers will also be available in Darlington, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle.

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said: “We have a range of rewarding roles for anyone who wants to become part of a dedicated team that runs more than 2,500 services a day to over 500 destinations.

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"We are looking for customer-focused people with excellent communication skills who thrive in a dynamic environment and may not have considered a career in rail before.

"Successful applicants will demonstrate a high level of responsibility, a strong work ethic and a commitment to maintaining safety standards.”

Northern currently employs over 2,000 drivers and 1,400 conductors to run services across its network.