- School leavers aged 18 are being encouraged by the Department for Transport to consider careers as train drivers following a change in regulations lowering the minimum age from 20.
- Less than four per cent of current train drivers are aged under 30, fewer than 12 per cent are female and a quarter will hit retirement age by 2030.
- Train driving union Aslef welcomed the initiative, saying that allowing younger applicants to enter the profession after education will "open the door to new talent".
- Rail minister Lord Peter Hendy said: “It opens doors for those wanting to move straight into the workplace, giving a younger generation the chance to build lasting careers in the railway.
- Lowering the minimum age to 18 brings the UK into line with countries such as Switzerland, Germany and Australia, as well as matching training for pilots and underground drivers.
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