Northern is looking to recruit more than 300 drivers and conductors across the North of England this year.

The train operator says these roles are an integral part of an ongoing process to hire continually as and when staff retire, gain promotions or change companies.

It plans to hire 108 train drivers and 198 conductors in 2024 and no prior experience is required.

Those hired will undertake a paid apprenticeship at one of Northern's training academies located in Leeds or Manchester.

Moreover, the train driver roles, set to be advertised in various northern cities, come along with an initial salary of £23,000 per annum.

This figure can rise to £54,500 upon successful completion of a 64-week training course.

Meanwhile, conductor roles offer a starting pay of £22,000, rising to £29,000 after finishing a 16-week training programme.

The Mail: No prior experience is required

Tricia Williams, COO 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."

She said the company is seeking "customer-focused people with excellent communication skills who thrive in a dynamic environment and may not have considered a career in rail before".

Ms Williams trusts that successful applicants will exhibit a high degree of responsibility, a focused work attitude, and a commitment to uphold safety standards.

Further information and a process to register for recruitment alerts can be found on the Northern website.

Ms Williams added: "We’ll be recruiting throughout the year and provide all the training you need, so if you’re interested, please register for job alerts on our website."

She also emphasised that Northern seeks a diverse workforce that reflects the communities it serves.

The company is open to including everyone from military veterans and former police officers to ex-office workers and stay-at-home parents.

The impending recruitment follows the release of a video by Northern in 2023 that showcased the fundamental role operational employees play in ensuring the trains keep moving.

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