Tram driver Job Information | National Careers Service

Job profiles

Tram driver

Hours

40 per week
Starting salary

£14,500 + per year

As a tram driver, you would operate a tram along routed metal tracks, to transport passengers following a set timetable. If you've got good driving skills, and you can concentrate and stay alert for long periods, this job could suit you well.

In this job you will also need knowledge of road traffic laws. You will good timekeeping. You will need good communication skills for dealing with customers.

You don't always need qualifications to be a tram driver, although some employers will prefer you to have GCSEs (grades A-C) in subjects like maths and English, or equivalent qualifications. Many companies will expect you to have held a full driving licence for at least a year to prove your driving skills and road knowledge.

The work

As a tram driver, your duties would include:

making equipment checks at the start of your shift
driving the tram by controlling its speed and motion with a lever
picking up and dropping off passengers at tram stops
following signals
keeping in radio contact with the control room for up-to-date route information
making passenger announcements (this may be automated)
writing up reports on any incidents that happened during your shift.

You might also be responsible for checking travel passes, collecting fares and dealing with passenger queries.

Hours

You would usually work in shifts of up to 40 hours a week over seven days. Most tram services start early in the morning and run until late at night. Part-time or flexible hours may be available.

Your employer would usually provide you with a uniform, and you may also be issued with a high visibility vest for use at the tram depot.

Income

Trainee drivers can earn from £14,500 to £19,000 a year. Experienced drivers can earn around £24,000 a year.

Overtime and shift allowances may increase these amounts.

Free or reduced travel may be offered as an extra benefit.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

You don't always need qualifications to be a tram driver, although some employers will prefer you to have GCSEs (grades A-C) in subjects like maths and English, or equivalent qualifications.

Companies tend to recruit trainee drivers directly, but you might also find work as a passenger assistant or conductor and then progress to a driving job.

Many companies will expect you to have held a full driving licence for at least a year to prove your driving skills and road knowledge. Some employers may ask for two years' driving experience.

You would be expected to take a medical test for alcohol and drugs at the selection stage, as well as general health and eyesight checks.

Training and development

Once you start work, your company would give you driver training. You would also complete courses in customer service, safety awareness, first aid and cash handling, as well as a basic introduction to tram mechanics and technology.

You may be encouraged to work towards a Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Rail Services (Tram/Light Rail Vehicle Driving), depending on the type of vehicle you operate.

Visit the Careers in Passenger Transport website for more information about training and qualifications in the tram and light rail industry.

Careers in Passenger Transport

Skills and knowledge

To be a tram driver you should have:

good driving skills and a knowledge of road traffic laws
strong observational skills and an alert mind
clear spoken communication skills
basic maths skills
good timekeeping
an understanding of health and safety
customer service skills
patience and the ability to stay focused
the confidence to deal with difficult passengers.

More information

People 1st (Opens new window)
2nd Floor
Armstrong House
38 Market Square
Uxbridge
Middlesex
UB8 1LH
Tel: 01895 817 000
www.people1st.co.uk

Careers in Passenger Transport (Opens new window)
www.careersinpassengertransport.org

Opportunities

Tram systems currently operate in Birmingham, Croydon, Manchester, Nottingham, Sheffield and Tyne and Wear, with a vintage system in Blackpool. There is also a light rail system in London Docklands. Other cities are planning to introduce more tram systems in other cities in the coming years.

Vacancies are advertised in the local press and on tram operating companies' websites.

With experience, you could move into supervisory roles, such as depot manager or route manager, or with further training, you could become a driving trainer, teaching new staff how to drive trams.

You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.

Related industry information

Industry summary

The light rail, tram and metro industry is represented by People 1st, the Sector Skills Council for hospitality, passenger transport, travel and tourism. The passenger transport sector incorporates rail, aviation, bus and coach, taxi and private hire, light rail and metro, driver training, and UK waterways. The sector accounts for 735,000 jobs, most of which are within the bus and coach, taxi and private hire, rail, and aviation industries. The passenger transport sector includes a wide variety of roles, from pilots and transport planners, to essential support roles in finance, marketing and human resources.

The light rail, tram and metro industry is a relatively small industry, with services in eight major towns and cities. The London Underground, which is a major employer in London, is also included. Light rail, tram and metro services (including underground services) are available in Blackpool, Glasgow, London, Nottingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Tyne and Wear and the West Midlands.

Key facts:

There are approximately 15,000 people working in the light rail, tram and metro industry.
There has been an increase in passenger numbers and the total distance travelled by tram, light rail and metro more than doubled over recent years.

Jobs in the industry fall into the following areas:

Driving – such as tram, metro and underground drivers, team leaders, supervisor
Passenger services – such as customer service agent, passenger services assistant, operational support (i.e. in planning, performance management or marketing and sales)
Operations and service delivery – such as administrative staff (in planning, HR, marketing and sales or performance monitoring), operations officer

National and regional data

[N.B. There are no data on employment figures for the industry. Data presented are for the passenger transport sector as a whole. Data derived from the Labour Force Survey, 2007.]

East Midlands – There is one operating company in the East Midlands; the Nottingham Express Transit, which operates 15 light rail vehicles in Nottingham. In the passenger transport sector as whole, 14% of the workforce in the region is female. 14% of the workforce is from an ethnic minority background. 6% of the workforce is under 25 years, 62% is 26‐49 years and 32% is 50 years or older. Skill gaps include: foreign languages; vehicle maintenance and engineering; Welsh language; job related IT; and safety/accident management.

East of England – There are no companies operating in the East of England. In the passenger transport sector as whole, 25% of the workforce in the region is female. 9% of the workforce is from an ethnic minority background. 7% of the workforce is under 25 years, 52% is 26‐49 years and 41% is 50 years or older. Skill gaps include: foreign languages; job related IT; Welsh language; and vehicle maintenance and engineering.

London – In London there are several companies operating, including: Croydon Tramlink; Docklands Light Railway; and London Underground. In the passenger transport sector as whole, 20% of the workforce in the region is female. 42% of the workforce is from an ethnic minority background. 4% of the workforce is under 25 years, 70% is 26‐49 years and 26% is 50 years or older. Skill gaps include: job related IT; foreign languages; safety/accident management; booking operations; and logistics and scheduling of services.

North East – There is one company operating in the North East – the Tyne and Wear Metro, which operates 90 metro vehicles around the area. In the passenger transport sector as whole, 17% of the workforce in the region is female. 3% of the workforce is from an ethnic minority background. 8% of the workforce is under 25 years, 51% is 26‐49 years and 41% is 50 years or older. Skill gaps include: job related IT; foreign languages; vehicle maintenance and engineering; Welsh language; and safety/accident management.

North West – There are two companies operating in the North West: Manchester Metrolink, which operates 32 metro vehicles in Manchester; and the Blackpool Tram, which operates 75 trams in Blackpool (this includes vintage demonstration services). In the passenger transport sector as whole, 16% of the workforce in the region is female. 14% of the workforce is from an ethnic minority background. 6% of the workforce is under 25 years, 61% is 26‐49 years and 33% is 50 years or older. Skill gaps include: foreign languages; disability awareness; Welsh language; and vehicle maintenance and engineering.

South East – There are no companies operating in the South East. In the passenger transport sector as whole, 25% of the workforce in the region is female. 11% of the workforce is from an ethnic minority background. 6% of the workforce is under 25 years, 48% is 26‐49 years and 36% is 50 years or older. Skill gaps include: foreign languages; vehicle maintenance and engineering; and job related IT.

South West – There are no companies operating in the South West. In the passenger transport sector as whole, 19% of the workforce in the region is female. 4% of the workforce is from an ethnic minority background. 4% of the workforce is under 25 years, 56% is 26‐49 years and 40% is 50 years or older. Skill gaps include: foreign languages; job related IT; and vehicle maintenance and engineering.

West Midlands – There is one company operating in the West Midlands – the Midland Metro. The company employs approximately 170 members of staff. In the passenger transport sector as whole, 19% of the workforce in the region is female. 27% of the workforce is from an ethnic minority background. 7% of the workforce is under 25 years, 65% is 26‐49 years and 28% is 50 years or older. Skill gaps include: job related IT; safety/accident management; foreign languages; maths/working with numbers; and disability awareness.

Yorkshire and the Humber – There is one operating company in Yorkshire and the Humber– Sheffield Supertram, which operates 25 trams in Sheffield. In the passenger transport sector as whole, 13% of the workforce in the region is female. 18% of the workforce is from an ethnic minority background. 8% of the workforce is under 25 years, 62% is 26‐49 years and 30% is 50 years or older. Skill gaps include: foreign languages; vehicle maintenance and engineering; job related IT; and Welsh language.

Northern Ireland – There are no companies operating in Northern Ireland. In the passenger transport sector as whole, 21% of the workforce in the region is female. Data are unavailable on the ethnicity of the workforce. 9% of the workforce is under 25 years, 74% is 26‐49 years and 17% is 50 years or older. Skill gaps include: foreign languages; safety/accident management; job related IT; and disability awareness.

Scotland – There is one company operating in Scotland – the Glasgow Subway, which employs approximately 370 people. In the passenger transport sector as whole, 16% of the workforce in the region is female. 2% of the workforce is from an ethnic minority background. 8% of the workforce is under 25 years, 56% is 26‐49 years and 36% is 50 years or older. Skill gaps include: foreign languages; vehicle maintenance and engineering; and disability awareness.

Wales – There are no companies operating Wales. In the passenger transport sector as whole, 18% of the workforce in the region is female. 4% of the workforce is from an ethnic minority background. 8% of the workforce is under 25 years, 54% is 26‐49 years and 38% is 50 years or older. Skill gaps include: Welsh language; foreign languages; disability awareness; safety/accident management; job related IT; and vehicle maintenance and engineering.