(qlmbusinessnews.com Fri. 17th May, 2024) London, UK —
Teenage Apprenticeships Proposed to Address Train Driver Shortage.
In a bid to tackle the looming shortage of train drivers in the UK, teenagers might soon be eligible to qualify for driving trains under new government proposals.
The Department for Transport has initiated a consultation, running until 13 June, seeking opinions on lowering the minimum age requirement from 20 to 18. This move comes amidst concerns about an impending shortage, with a significant number of train drivers set to retire in the next five years, averaging at 48 years old currently.
Rail Minister Huw Merriman emphasized the importance of building resilience in the sector. He stated that the proposed plan aims to provide a clear career path for young individuals interested in the transportation industry, particularly school leavers, through apprenticeships.
The proposal received positive feedback from industry groups and the main train drivers' union, Aslef. Aslef's general secretary, Mick Whelan, expressed support for lowering the age limit for train driver training, emphasizing the need for a sufficient number of drivers to cover all shifts and advocating for greater diversity within the workforce.
Currently, the process of qualifying as a train driver takes between one to two years. Andy Bagnall of Rail Partners, a lobby group for private operators, hailed the proposal as a step towards fulfilling a longstanding aspiration for the industry, making railway careers more appealing.
A recent report by the National Skills Academy for Rail (NSAR) highlighted demographic disparities within the industry, with the average train driver being a 46-year-old, male, and white individual. The report underscored the need for greater diversity, with only a small fraction of drivers being non-white or female.
While the average annual salary for train drivers is around £60,000, a protracted dispute between Aslef and 16 train companies, supported by the government, has led to numerous strikes since 2022. However, recent indications of a willingness to reopen negotiations offer hope for progress towards resolving the conflict.
As the consultation period unfolds, the proposal to allow teenage apprenticeships for train driving could potentially address the pressing shortage while paving the way for a more diverse and resilient workforce in the UK railway sector.
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