Northern is currently on a recruitment drive, and is keen to welcome dozens of new train conductors to its Leeds team.
And the best part is, you don't even need experience to apply for the role.
The rail company is looking to hire as many as 74 new train conductors for its bases in Yorkshire and Greater Manchester over the next 12 months, and is urging anyone that finds themselves at a “career crossroads” to strongly consider sticking an application in as no previous rail industry experience is required.
This is because thorough training will be given to all new recruits through an apprenticeship at Northern’s academies in Leeds and Manchester city centres.
Image: Northern
Luckily, for anyone who lives locally and is thinking about applying, the Yorkshire roles will be based at either Doncaster, Leeds, Skipton, or York.
The role of a Train Conductor at Northern has a salary of £29,000 once fully qualified, and comes with a wide range of benefits – including things like free train travel.
Initial training takes 12 weeks, and the apprenticeship is complete within a year.
“The days when apprenticeships were just for school or college leavers are long gone,” admits Lisa Leighton, who is the People Director at Northern.
Image: Northern
“But that perception remains and it can be a barrier to more experienced people putting in an application, as lots of jobs have transferable skills that the rail industry can benefit from, so anyone that fancies taking their career in a completely fresh direction should give it go.
“Some of the people working on-board our trains today started their career in very different arenas, from the prison service and cabin crew to social care and financial services.
“No one should think the railway ‘isn’t for them’ – it’s an industry with much to offer.”
Recruitment for the first of the 74 positions is already underway, with regular opportunities to apply as jobs are released between now and August 2024, so for more information on the roles out there, you can check out Northern’s website.
Leeds United fans looking for a crisp pre-match pint, you're in luck.
Why? Because new data has revealed Leeds United as one of the Premier League clubs offering the cheapest pints in their stadium
And it's all down to credit card provider Zable, who analysed the average price of a pint at every Premier League stadium.
You'll be glad to know that Leeds United ranked a very respectable eighth among the Premier League teams with the cheapest pre-match pints, with fans paying an average £5.60 at Elland Road.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
However, supporters can currently get a cheaper drink at pubs around the stadium, where the average pint costs £4.74.
Ipswich Town have the cheapest pint at £3.50, followed by Coventry at £3.60 and Hull City at £3.90.
The top 10 cheapest stadium match day pints:
Ipswich (£3.50)
Coventry (£3.60)
Hull City (£3.90)
Liverpool (£4.80)
Sunderland (£5.00)
Everton (£5.50)
Newcastle United (£5.60)
Leeds United (£5.60)
Bournemouth (£5.60)
Brighton & Hove Albion (£5.80)
Adam McAllister at Zable says: "For many fans, grabbing a pint before kick-off is part and parcel of the matchday experience, but our research shows that where you choose to drink can make a noticeable difference to the price. While stadium pints are often assumed to be more expensive, that's not always the case.
"With the cost of attending football continuing to add up, from tickets and travel to food and drinks, small differences like these can make a real impact on the overall cost of a matchday. Taking a little time to compare prices before heading to the stadium this season could help fans make their money go further, whether they choose to have a pint at the pub or inside the ground."
Leeds Bradford Airport workers to strike over half term, as industrial action escalates in dispute over pay
Clementine Hall
Strikes by almost 130 workers at Leeds Bradford Airport are set to escalate.
If you're planning on catching a flight from Leeds Bradford Airport, then you may want to double check the date.
Last week it was announced that workers were set to strike and bring the airport to complete standstill in a dispute over pay.
Today it has been announced that thestrikes are set to escalate and a second set of strikes have been announced.
The Unite members planning on going on strike are a mixture of air traffic control workers, customer experience staff, security staff and cleaners.
The workers involved in the dispute have recently come out of a four-year pay deal, with some of the departments having fallen behind other airports in equivalent roles.
Pay talks have been happening since December 2025, with the airport's formal offer not going far enough to address the lack of pay parity.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "It is wrong that workers at Leeds Bradford Airport are paid far less than those doing the same job at another nearby airport.
"These are essential workers who play a vital role in ensuring the smooth running of the airport and the safety of passengers and deserve fair pay. Unite will always fully back our members taking action at Leeds Bradford Airport.”
The original strikes were due to take place from 03:00 this Friday 16 October to 06:00 Sunday 18 October for hourly paid staff and from 06:00 Friday 16 October to 06:00 Sunday 18 October for air traffic control workers.
The next round of industrial action will now take place from Monday 23 October to Wednesday 2 November, which coincides with the busy half term period.
Unite regional officer Neil Whitaker said: “We appreciate those travelling to and from Leeds Bradford Airport will be concerned to hear that there are further strike dates, but the situation is completely the fault of the airport’s management. It can end this dispute, but that relies on it coming back to the table with a fair deal for our members.”
Emily Sergeant -
21st September 2023 
