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 family of the young man who was killed in tragic tiger attack at Yorkshire Wildlife Park have now paid tribute to him.
The man has been named as William Chapman.
Emergency services rushed to the park near Doncaster at around 1.30pm on Saturday 10 October, after reports of a man climbing into the tiger enclosure.
Tragically, the man involved in the tiger attack lost his life.
Today, Wednesday 14 October, Chapman's family have paid a touching tribute to the 'warm and engaging young man' via police.
It reads: "William was a bright, warm and engaging young man whom his family dearly loved - and William loved them back.
"Sadly, William suffered from significant mental illness over a number of years and was consequently prescribed strong medication.
"It will be for the coroner to decide what part this played in his death. We would ask everybody to respect that process."
The tribute continues: "The family are utterly devastated by their loss and are struggling to come to terms with what has happened. The publication and circulation of deeply offensive media content is causing them severe distress at an exceptionally vulnerable time. We ask people to stop doing this.
"The family are hopeful that the relevant authorities will do their utmost to get to the bottom of why our amazing son did what he did.
"In the meantime, please do not approach the family, their addresses, or scrape any further social media from William’s or his family’s accounts.”
Yorkshire Wildlife Park shared on Sunday 11 October that Altai, the male tiger in question, is 'safe and well' and will not be euthanised as a result of the incident.
In a statement, they said: "We would like to thank everyone who has expressed their concern following yesterday's tragic incident.
"Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies remain with the family and loved ones of the man who sadly lost his life.
"The park will be closed today while the staff team who were deeply affected by events receive specialist support.
"Many, many people have contacted us about Altai, the tiger. We can reassure everyone that he is safe and well and will not be euthanised as a result of this incident."
A Miami-inspired deli serving Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and cigars has opened in a Leeds suburb
Clementine Hall
After making a name for itself over in Leeds city centre, Alfonso's Deli 2.0 has touched down in Horsforth.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonso's Deli in Leeds' beautiful Grand Arcade serve up some of the best sandwiches in the city.
They've built up such a good reputation in fact, that they have now opened a second deli in the up-and-coming suburb of Horsforth.
Located in a prime location on New Side Road, this deli has a slightly different look to their original space, complete with a beautiful red awning and stuffed to the brim with American memorabilia.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Here you can find fresh Cuban coffee which goes wonderfully with their authentic toasted Cubano sandwiches, perfectly crafted with their house-made bread which are then pressed made-to-order.
New for Horsforth, they're now serving New York deli sandwiches on brand-new house schiacciata bread.
And the bread is as fresh as it gets, made in their own bakery downstairs alongside a selection of New York deli bakes.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Stuffed with toppings such as smoked deli meats, cold cuts, fresh cheese and whatever else you fancy.
Oh and it doesn't stop there, you can also buy a cigar if you fancy it alongside a selection of merch, hot sauces and provisions like tinned fish.
So whether you're stopping by on your way to work for a morning coffee or treating yourself to a stellar sandwich for your lunch, Alfonso's Deli is here to whisk you away to Miami for the afternoon.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
They're officially opening their doors to the public this Thursday 15 October, and we just know it's going to go down and absolute storm.
Make sure to pop down and give them a big warm welcome to the neighbourhood.
The Hoot -
19th January 2023 
