DB Cargo UK has launched a major new recruitment drive to attract a new generation of talent to work in the rail freight industry.
The UK’s largest rail freight company based in Doncaster currently employs around 2,200 employees and is currently advertising for new train drivers, engineers and groundstaff, to help further improve the services it provides to customers across England, Scotland, Wales and Europe.
In particular, as part of the first phase of recruitment for the new role of Junior Driver, DB Cargo UK is inviting applications from candidates based in South Yorkshire and the East and West Midlands.
Sandra Buchser, Head of Human Resources, said that while the company was steeped in rail history, it has recently gone through a period of modernisation which presents many new and exciting opportunities for the future.
“Technology continues to revolutionise the way we deliver services. Our markets are evolving, we have higher environmental and safety standards to meet, and the expectations of our customers are also increasing, as they look to us to provide innovative new products and services,” she said.
“In order to respond to these challenges, we are looking to bring new entrants into the company, with fresh ideas. We are offering an exciting career opportunity to any individual who is enthusiastic about joining the next generation of rail freight,” she said.
DB Cargo UK already runs a number of initiatives aimed at attracting fresh talent into the business, including apprenticeships, an international graduate programme, and a DB European driver exchange programme with countries like Germany , France and Bulgaria.
However, one of the most exciting new initiatives is the introduction of the new role of Junior Driver, which has been developed in conjunction with the train driver trade union, ASLEF. While DB Cargo UK is also seeking fully-qualified train drivers, the role of Junior Driver is designed to give employees practical training, and experience of driving a train within the confines of the company’s yards, sidings and terminals. The entry-level programme is a development platform for individuals to progress to mainline train driver positions.
