A new study by digital financial services provider Remitly has revealed that train driver is now the most sought-after career in the UK, surpassing modern roles like influencer and YouTuber. The analysis of Google searches for 'how to be a [job]' across over 140 countries found that while actor, pilot, and firefighter dominated globally, Brits overwhelmingly favoured the more traditional role of train driver.
Shift from 2024 trends
This marks a notable shift from 2024, when YouTuber claimed the top spot. Dr Deirdre Hughes, policy adviser and international careers specialist, says this offers a striking insight for anyone working in careers guidance – and a reminder of just how quickly our idea of an 'aspirational' job can change.
Youth career anxiety
The findings, published alongside new research from the King's Trust, reflect just how concerned young Brits are for the future. More than a quarter of 16 to 25-year-olds said they felt they were going to fail in life, while 73% of the 4,097 respondents were anxious about their future careers and worried there wouldn't be enough jobs for people like them. Could that help explain why a traditional career like train driving, one of the few professions unlikely to be completely replaced by AI, has become so appealing?
Why train driving appeals
Career coach and work expert Hannah Salton says she found the news 'initially surprising'. 'On paper, being a train driver doesn't look like the most glamorous job. But on reflection I can see the appeal,' she tells Metro. 'Many people are feeling burnt out by the corporate world, and by the job market in general, at the moment. But there's a perceived predictability to a career like train driving, and it's reasonably well paid compared to other jobs in transport that don't require a degree.'
According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary for a train driver in the UK is £56,000; almost £20,000 more than the median figure for the UK as a whole. Working as an influencer or content creator is still a big dream for Gen Zs, who spend an average of 2.53 hours a day on TikTok. In fact, 57% of respondents in a 2023 survey said they'd choose to be an influencer if given the chance. But in Hannah's opinion, 'those roles are still aspirational to many', and it's important to be realistic about whether they really plan to make social media a job. 'It's more that the market is seen as saturated, with so many people in recent years aspiring to those positions and relatively few making a decent living from it long-term,' she explains. 'People are also more acutely aware of the downsides: lack of privacy, scrutiny, trolling. They're reflecting more on the downsides of these previously sought-after jobs, and realising there are plenty of them.'
Stability and future-proofing
While no sector is entirely immune to change, Dr Hughes believes one of the main reasons train driving — typically a 'unionised role with clear progression' — has become so appealing is its stability. 'Sustained coverage of train driver pay and industrial disputes has made the sector's pay-to-qualification ratio very visible,' she tells Metro. 'Strong salaries with no degree required is a compelling proposition, especially set against rising graduate debt.' Hannah, on the other hand, is slightly more cautious, saying: 'In the short-term, it mostly makes sense. The longer-term picture is more mixed though. Automated trains are already common on closed systems like the DLR and parts of the Underground, and that kind of automation will likely keep expanding. Mainline train driving, which is what most people picture, is further off from being automated. So it's not a job that's about to disappear, but it's also not one I'd call entirely future-proof.'
How to become a train driver
If you are interested in going down this path, the easiest way to get started is to apply directly for Trainee Driver positions or Train Driver Apprenticeships advertised by Train Operating Companies (TOCs). Most companies require you to be at least 21 years old. And although you won't need any form of higher education under your belt, you may need GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics at grade 4 or higher (Grade C or above). Candidates are also required to undergo a number of medical and fitness checks, including vision, hearing, and drug/alcohol screening. To become a fully qualified train driver, training takes between 12 and 18 months and consists of intensive theoretical learning, simulator assessments, and monitored driving hours. During training, you'll typically earn between £27,000 and £36,000. This should then steadily increase as you gain more experience.
