Train Driver Review
at Southeastern Railway
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Driver
London
Review Submitted: June 2026
Overall Rating
5 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
Started with an induction followed by 4 months of being at the training centre learning rules and regulations of the railway as well as getting a bit of practice using the simulators.
Then went on to do a month or so of learning about the different traction types I'll be driving and how to notice and rectify any faults or failures.
Then came the exciting part of joining my first driving instructor for 100 hours to put all my practice and knowledge to use and then another 200 or so hours with my second DI to polish up my skills and route knowledge to get me prepared for my ICA.
Then went on to do a month or so of learning about the different traction types I'll be driving and how to notice and rectify any faults or failures.
Then came the exciting part of joining my first driving instructor for 100 hours to put all my practice and knowledge to use and then another 200 or so hours with my second DI to polish up my skills and route knowledge to get me prepared for my ICA.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
Loved every minute of it even if some parts such as doing MOD 5 exam was slightly challenging due it being a combined exam of everything we learnt over the 4 months.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Definitely improved on my communication skills whether it was speaking with the Signaller to carry out passing signals at danger or standing on the platform during times of disruption to make myself available to passenger enquiries about them continuing their journey.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
Personally think it was very well put together. All of it was in a good order to make learning everything easier and then being able to put it into practice and carrying out the exams a further 2 times to keep everything I've learnt over the year fresh in my head ready for me to be out on the tracks alone.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
All of my managers, DIs and apprenticeship learning coaches were always making themselves available for any assistance that we needed.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
Regular meetings made the apprenticeship easier as he made me keep up to date with everything as well being there for any support I needed.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Southeastern Railway to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Great company to work at. From the managers to drivers to platform staff, everyone has been welcoming and always offering advice, support and stories about the good and bad giving not only myself but other experienced people a chance to listen and learn from their mistakes.
