Eighteen-year-olds will now be allowed to drive trains now that the Government has lowered the minimum age from 20 in a bid to tackle driver shortages.
Thousands of jobs and apprenticeships will be made available to those between 18 and 20 years old as early as December, offering skilled roles, valuable experience, and long-term career opportunities. The move will help to build up the rail workforce, preventing delays and cancellations caused by driver shortages which currently accounts for 87% of cancellations made the night before a service runs.
The decision to lower the age will future-proof the railways, reducing the over reliance on rest day working by getting more people into the driving seat and ensuring a steady stream of drivers entering the industry. The average train driver is currently 48-years-old and rising, with 30% due to reach retirement age by 2029. Bringing young talent in these skilled roles will bridge this gap, preventing any future shortages and ensuring consistent, reliable services for passengers.
In a profession that is less than 9% female and less than 12% represented by ethnic minorities, it is hoped the move will also open professional opportunities to a much wider group of people.
“We’re taking bold action to improve train services and unlock thousands of jobs,” said Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander.
“We’re committed to getting the economy moving and a big part of that is getting young people into the workforce, putting them on track for a skilled and fulfilling career which will boost growth across the country and help deliver our Plan for Change.
“We’re future-proofing our railways against delays and cancellations caused by a shortage of drivers, ensuring that we can provide reliable, passenger focused train journeys under Great British Railways for decades to come.”
The announcement follows a consultation the Department for Transport (DfT) undertook last year which received overwhelming support from across the industry and marks a significant step forward for rail reform.
Mick Whelan, General Secretary of ASLEF, the train drivers’ union, said: “ASLEF has been campaigning for many years for the lowering of the age at which drivers can start training.
“This decision – to allow people to leave school, or college, and join the railway in the driving grade at 18 rather than wait until they’re 20 – will increase diversity in the driver’s cab by encouraging more BAME people, more LGBT+ people, and more women – as well as more young people – to drive trains on Britain’s railways.
“Because, at the moment, young people who want to become train drivers leave school or college at 18, get other jobs, and we miss out as an industry as they don’t wait around until they turn 20 to find a career.”
Several other countries have already successfully and safely adopted a lower age limit, including the Netherlands, France, Germany and Switzerland, with other countries including Japan considering a change in law. Transport for London also successfully opened up its train driver apprenticeships to 18-year-olds to drive trains on the underground network in 2007.
Everyone who takes on the role of a train driver must undergo rigorous training to ensure they are competent, qualified and fit to do so, ensuring the safe use of our railways for everyone.
Mark Phillips, Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) CEO commented: “To boost economic growth by running more frequent rail services, the industry needs to invest in enabling more young people to start train driver apprenticeships. Our research determined that 18-year-olds are capable of safely becoming train drivers and identified opportunities to improve how the rail industry manages competence for all drivers.
“Starting a train driving career could be more appealing at 18 than at 20, as young people can choose it over pursuing a degree or an office job. It is an excellent career choice, offering the opportunity to work independently in a role that carries huge responsibility.”
Image credit: iStockphoto/Marc Scruton
