The rail industry starts offensive: 700 new train driver training positions!

The rail industry starts offensive: 700 new train driver training positions!

Nordrhein-Westfalen, Deutschland - A dramatic lack of train drivers forces the railway industry in North Rhine-Westphalia to form a comprehensive recruitment offensive! As the Borkener Zeitung reported, the number of training positions for train drivers in 2025 will be increased to 700. This corresponds to an increase of 55 percent compared to the previous year and is more than three times as much as 2023. Transport Minister Oliver Krischer (Greens) promised that passengers should no longer be affected by train failures due to lack of personnel by 2026. The creation of new training positions is a crucial step to restore reliability in rail traffic after every seventh train has been in recent years - an alarming signal for the industry.

growth and challenges in the train industry

The need for new train drivers is becoming increasingly clearer in the entire industry, especially since the 3,300 train drivers in NRW retire around 5 percent annually. The fluctuation is also high and many employees leave the companies. It is particularly alarming that the state of North Rhine-Westphalia has invested millions in recent years in order to intensify the training, but the industry has to take responsibility for personnel planning by 2026, reports Allianz Pro Schiene .

Currently 38,390 train drivers work in Germany, and the need is growing steadily. By 2030, 50 percent more jobs will be expected in this area, which illustrates the urgency of a quick solution. The train driver's market is extremely competitive, with an above -average content of around 3,735 euros gross per month. The companies react to the increased shortage of skilled workers with targeted programs for career changers and a massive increase in training positions.