WHO ARE WE?

GWR is the proud custodian of Brunel’s railway - one of the most prestigious networks in the world. We have some of the newest trains in the country and exciting plans to extend our services. With more than one hundred million passenger journeys each year, we carry people to over 275 stations in the South West, from Cornwall and South Wales to London, passing through beautiful country and some of the UK’s top tourist destinations.
We are transforming the way people think about train travel, empowering our team of over 6,000 people from all different backgrounds to make it a great experience for our customers. Together, we will revalue rail as a very special way to travel – relaxing, fast, efficient, friendly and fun.

THE REWARD

As well as a great team environment and comprehensive training, all GWR colleagues enjoy a range of benefits including on-going development, defined benefit pension scheme, free rail travel across the GWR network for you and your family, company-sponsored health care plan, discounted shopping and gym membership and an employee assistance programme.
We all belong at GWR. This is our vision for providing an inclusive environment for all our colleagues, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment.
We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain a zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.
We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.
We review all roles and job descriptions to ensure they are accessible and, where possible, we support and provide flexible working options; we recommend that you refer to each vacancy description for further details.

If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.

• Depot Driver Role Profile for candidates.docx
• FAQ TRAINEE DEPOT DRIVERS.docx
• Trainee Depot Driver EXE PLY PNZ - July 2025.docx

The role reports to the Driver Management Team at the relevant depot, i.e. Exeter, Plymouth or Penzance.
Our Trainee Depot Drivers play an essential role in supporting our mainline train service, so that we can focus on creating a timely, relaxed, fast, efficient, and fun experience for our passengers.
You will be responsible for train driving and other driver related activities, including preparing, driving and disposing of traction (train) units, safely and punctually, at our Engineering Depots; Exeter, Longrock at Penzance, or Laira at Plymouth, depending on which you apply for. Where applicable, when qualified, you’ll also drive on the mainline up to designated signals between the depot and the affiliated station.
This role will give you a really good grounding in a safe environment with awesome opportunities; offering a rewarding career with the potential to progress to a mainline train driver later in your career, if you wish to do so.
This is an excellent opportunity if you enjoy learning in a work- based environment. Our training course requires your commitment to learning and an intensive period of training. There will be assessments throughout your training period, which will be based around both practical and classroom- based learning, giving you support and guidance you will need, to pass the training and progress to a Qualified Depot Driver.