Trainee Trainee jobs in Sussex

Looking for a career that will take you in new directions? Join Southeastern as a Train Conductor and start a rewarding journey with us.

We are currently seeking applications for our Tonbridge team. We will only be progressing applicants for this role who live within a 45 min drive of Tonbridge.

• Imagine the pride you’ll feel when your customer service skills and problem solving keeps hundreds of journeys running smoothly.
• Our training will take you from trainee to train Conductor and give you a nationally-recognised qualification.
• Enjoy a career that comes with great pay and benefits, a real sense of ownership, and where every shift is a chance to create a connection.

Can you move people? Apply now.

What you’ll do

Make sure passengers feel welcome, comfortable and safe on our trains. This means greeting people as they step on board, checking and issuing tickets, communicating with the train driver, and dealing with any problem that comes your way.

Of course, sometimes there are issues with tickets or delays, which can be difficult for passengers. It’s up to you to keep them informed and do your best to help them get where they need to be.

We are currently seeking candidates for our Hastings team, you need to live with a 15 mile radius of this depot as explained in more detail below. If you apply and live outside of the distance of this station then you should expect long wait times for your application to be screened and processed.

Applications for this role will be accepted until the 9th September, however we encourage early submissions, as the vacancy may close sooner if we receive a high volume of applications.

Your training

• As a Trainee Conductor, you’ll be enrolled into our Conductor Apprenticeship Programme.
• You’ll complete a mix of classroom-based and on-the-job learning, covering everything from functional skills to safety procedures.

Your shifts

• You will work a varied shift pattern, which includes weekends, bank holidays and nights.
• Shifts can start before the first train departs in the morning, and some shifts will finish after the last train has dispatched at night.

The experience you’ll need

You don’t need railway experience to do this role. We’re looking for people from all backgrounds to join our team.

You will need to demonstrate:

• A genuine passion for making every passenger’s journey the best it can be
• Proven face-to-face customer service experience
• Confidence in handling difficult situations independently and resolving them professionally
• Experience in taking payments and handling cash accurately
• Excellent communication skills and good IT proficiency
• Strong decision-making abilities, problem-solving skills, and initiative
• Resilience and the ability to remain calm and professional under pressure

We can only consider your application if you live within a 15-mile radius of the depot you're applying to.
This helps ensure you get adequate rest between shifts and that your commute remains safe and manageable.

As proud members of the Armed Forces Covenant and Disability Confident Scheme, we will offer you an interview if you apply under these schemes and meet the minimum criteria for the role. Find out more here.

Other things to know

• This vacancy may close early if we receive a large number of applications. So, make sure you get yours in early.
• All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references, a right to work verification, a basic criminal record check, and a pre-employment medical assessment. Work visa sponsorship isn’t available for this role.
• If you applied but weren’t successful in getting a similar role at Southeastern, please wait six months before applying again.

Find out more about our recruitment process and get tips to help you apply.

What you’ll get in return

Along with your salary, the rewards you’ll get include:

• a final salary pension
• 28 days annual leave allowance (including bank holidays)
• free rail travel across our networks.

Meaning you can feel secure in your career as well as fulfilled by your work. Click here to see our full range of amazing benefits.

A bit about Southeastern

We’re one of Britain's busiest train operators, serving London, Kent and parts of East Sussex. We run over 1,700 trains a day, carrying more than 500,000 passengers and serving 180 stations.

However, working on our railway is more than getting passengers from A to B. It’s about all the little moments that make a difference to their journey.

It’s also about making our railway a great place to work and building a team that represents the communities we serve. We’re committed to creating an inclusive, supportive environment, and we’re proud that this continues to be recognised through employer accreditations and our ongoing endorsement as a WORK180 Employer for Women.

Our ways of working are what we expect of everyone at Southeastern. They are powerful. Tiny moments, every day, from every one of us, add up to massive, positive change. Improving how it feels to work here and how it feels to travel with us.

At the heart of everything we do, our Safeguarding Team works to keep our customers, colleagues, and the public safe by improving safeguarding measures and knowledge making sure everyone gets home safe, every day.

Learn more about our railway.