Northern Rail says it is looking to recruit as many as 280 drivers and conductors across the north of England this year.
The train operator has launched a massive recruitment drive, and is looking to hire hundreds of new train drivers and conductors.
And do you know what the best bit is? You don’t even need any previous rail experience to apply, reports The Manc.
The operator says it is looking to recruit as many as 280 drivers and conductors across the north of England this year – with the new recruits all set to form part of the team that is responsible for running the over 2,500 services Northern provides to more that 500 stations throughout the region each day.
Image: Northern
Northern says both its driver and conductor roles “require no previous rail experience”, as full training will be provided at Northern’s academies in Leeds and Manchester.
The driver roles – which are based in Carlisle, Darlington, Hull, Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield, Skipton and York – come with a starting salary of £23,000 a year, and eventually rise to an impressive £54,500 once fully qualified.
The conductor roles, meanwhile – which are based in Carlisle, Hull, Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield, Skipton and York, as well as in Doncaster, Harrogate, Huddersfield, and Middlesbrough – have starting salaries of £22,000, which rise to £29,000 once fully qualified.
Image: Northern
Northern says its recruitment drive is “part of a natural replenishment of the workforce” across the region, and comes as a handful of its other team members retire, earn promotion, or move on to the next stage of their career.
The rail operator wants to attract “the best and brightest candidates” from other sectors who haven’t previously considered the rail industry as an option.
“These are fantastic roles for anyone passionate about helping connect people and places across the region,” explained Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern.
Image: Northern
“The rail industry has made great strides in many areas of diversity in recent years, but there is still much to be done, as drivers and conductors represent a huge proportion of our workforce, and if we can attract more people from a wider range of ethnicities and women into these roles, that’ll make a real difference.”
Ms Williams said the rail operator will be recruiting all throughout 2023, and is encouraging hopeful candidates to register for job alerts on the Northern website so they don’t miss out.
You can find out more information and apply for roles here.
The finale of The Celebrity Traitors is hitting our TV screens next Friday, and there’s a big screening party happening in Leeds especially for it.
Don't panic guys, it's happening.
Fancy sitting down to watch one of the cultural events of the year on a big screen with dozens of others who are just as invested in the show as you are? Well, now you can.
And that’s because Belgrave Music Hall, one of the city’s most beloved event spaces and bars, will be hosting a finale watching party and we’re all invited.
Taking place next Friday 23 January, fans of The Traitors are invited to watch the finale which kicks off 9pm in the canteen.
Best part? The tickets are absolutely free and we've no doubt there'll be some banging drink deals on to get the party started.
We’re already searching our wardrobes for an item of clothing that remotely resembles a cloak.
Announcing the news to Instagram, Belgrave said: "The world famous Traitors finale screening is back at Belgrave! In the past we've been graced with the presence of OG Faithful @theomayne1, plus our Clauds has been known to make an appearance (please scroll for evidence)... twists and turns are promised 👀"
So to give this series of The Traitors a proper send off, get yourself to Belgrave Music Hall from 6pm and enjoy a few beverages with like minded fans whilst screaming at the screen as Claudia makes her way into the frame.
Whilst we're on the topic, has anyone got an incredibly glossy black fringed wig we could borrow?
Johnny Depp supergroup Hollywood Vampires have announced a huge gig in Halifax
Daisy Jackson
Hollywood Vampires are heading back out on tour, with a huge Yorkshire gig announced for this year.
The supergroup, which consists of one of the biggest names in Hollywood as well as one of rock’n’roll’s most iconic names, are set to perform at the AO Arena as part of a run of shows.
Hollywood Vampires is made up of A-lister Johnny Depp, as well as rock royalty including Alice Cooper, and Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, plus Tommy Henriksen.
They last performed with an arena tour back in 2023, making these their first gigs in almost three years.
Hollywood Vampires have now announced a return to the stage, with a show at the iconic Piece Hall in Halifax on 22 August.
They’ll be supported by The Jesus and Mary Chain, who marked their 40th anniversary in 2024 with a new album, Glasgow Eyes.
Johnny Depp supergroup Hollywood Vampires announce Manchester gig. Credit: Aaron Perry
Hollywood Vampires formed in 2012, named after Cooper’s celebrity drinking club of the same name where the aim was reportedly to ‘drink until no one could stand up’.
Over the years, the supergroup has worked with the likes of Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, and Zak Starkey (formerly the drummer for Oasis).
A Three Presale for tickets will take place from 10am on Wednesday 21 January, followed by a venue presale on Thursday 22 January, then general sale from 10am on Friday 23 January.
The Hoot -
19th January 2023 
