Rail freight company DB Cargo launches major recruitment drive

DB Cargo UK, the rail freight company based in Doncaster, has announced the launch a new recruitment drive.

The UK’s largest rail freight firm currently employs around 2,200 employees and is recruiting 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 the company has recently gone through a period of modernisation which presents new opportunities for the next generation of talent.

She explained: “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.

“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.”

DB Cargo UK already runs a number of initiatives aimed at attracting new 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 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.