TransPennine Express recruits up to five new conductors in Glasgow

TransPennine Express is bringing on up to five new train conductors in Glasgow—not to expand service, but to fill gaps left by retirements, promotions, and staff departures. The hiring push, quietly underway since late 2024, is unusual not because of its scale, but because it’s explicitly targeting people with zero rail experience. For many in the city, this isn’t just a job—it’s a second chance.

What the job really involves

Don’t be fooled by the title "Trainee Conductor." This isn’t a desk job with a 9-to-5. Successful applicants will start at £27,877 a year, rising to £36,411 after three months of intensive training. But the real cost? The hours. Conductors are expected to work 3:40 a.m. starts and 1:22 a.m. finishes. Some shifts require overnight travel to Edinburgh, paid for by the company via taxi. It’s not glamorous. It’s not easy. But for those who need flexibility—or a clean slate—it’s compelling.

The selection process is brutal. Applicants first submit to a talent pool via TransPennine Express’s careers portal. Then, within a week, they’re emailed a link to six psychometric tests—including the SCAAT, a high-stakes assessment measuring concentration under pressure. They have exactly seven days to complete them. Only then, roughly two weeks later, do the lucky few get invited for interviews, often held on Union Street in Glasgow’s city center.

Why they’re looking beyond the industry

"We’re not looking for people who’ve grown up around trains," said Andrew McClements, Customer Experience & Transformation Director at TransPennine Express. "We want people who care about others. Who can stay calm when a train’s delayed. Who won’t flinch when a passenger is upset at 4 a.m."

That’s the twist: TransPennine Express is betting on emotional intelligence over experience. They’ve seen how frontline staff from retail, hospitality, and even the military often outperform rail veterans when it comes to handling real-time customer stress. One former bar manager in Airdrie, who applied last November, told a rail forum user he was "terrified" during the SCAAT test—but passed because he "just kept breathing and focused on the faces in the scenario."

Diversity isn’t just a buzzword here

The company doesn’t just say it values diversity—it’s been awarded Investors in People Gold and is shortlisted for the 2025 VERCIDA Employer Excellence Awards as a Veterans Champion. It’s also a Disability Confident Level 2 employer. McClements’ message is clear: "We want our team to look like Glasgow. Like the North. Like Scotland."

That’s why the job posting doesn’t ask for a degree, a rail certificate, or even prior customer service credentials. It asks for reliability. For empathy. For the kind of grit that shows up at 3:40 a.m. even when it’s snowing.

Benefits that actually matter

Yes, the salary is decent. But the perks? They’re the real draw. Free rail travel across the UK. A confidential wellbeing portal. A personal development plan that actually leads somewhere. The option to join the Railway Pension Scheme—with employer contributions that can nearly double your retirement savings. And yes, there’s a cycle-to-work scheme, high-street discounts, and family-friendly parental leave.

One former applicant, now a qualified conductor on the West Coast route, said: "I used to work in a call center. I hated it. This job gives me purpose. I see people—real people—every day. And when I get home, I’m not drained. I’m proud."

What’s next for the role?

With TransPennine Express aiming to become "the leading intercity operator in the North and Scotland," this recruitment isn’t just about replacing staff. It’s about reshaping the culture. More women. More veterans. More people from underrepresented communities. More people who never thought they’d touch a train ticket, let alone control one.

The company’s next challenge? Retention. The job is tough. The hours are brutal. And with inflation still biting, £36k won’t stretch far for a single parent in Glasgow. But if they can keep even half of these new hires past their first year, they’ll have done something rare in today’s rail industry: built loyalty from the ground up.

How to apply

Applications are open through TransPennine Express’s dedicated portal: tpexpresscareers.co.uk. The role is listed as "Trainee/Qualified Conductor (Talent Pool)." No cover letter is required—just a completed application and the willingness to endure 3:40 a.m. alarms.