Drivers, on-board, station staff and apprentices to be sought in major Iarnród Éireann recruitment drive

Iarnród Éireann today begins a series of recruitment drives which will see over 150 positions in the railway company advertised in the coming weeks.

Investment in Iarnród Éireann’s network, fleet and customer service is set to see the role of rail expand significantly, as the backbone of Ireland’s sustainable transport network

Beginning today, Iarnród Éireann will advertise for the following roles:

• From today, the company launches its latest recruitment programme for Train Drivers, with a panel for up to 80 drivers.
• From next Monday 25th April, an apprenticeship campaign will be run, for 30 apprenticeships across Fitter, Electrician and Heavy Vehicle Mechanic trades.
• Also from next Monday 25th April, at least 20 positions as Station Operatives in the Greater Dublin Area will be advertised, to assist customers and work on train operations in city centre and commuter stations
• Finally from 27th April, 30 positions as on-board Customer Service Officers across the Iarnród Éireann network will be advertised. These positions will complete the full introduction of Customer Service Officers across the Intercity network.

The Driver roles, recruitment for which commences today, will be based at a number of locations, including Dublin (including DART), Cork, Drogheda, Dundalk, Limerick, Galway, Mallow, Portlaoise, Sligo and Waterford.

The company is asking women consider driving roles, with recent trainee classes including the first 50:50 driver class in gender balance in the railway’s history.

The company is also asking those interested in Apprenticeships to do a Preview Quiz online in advance of the recruitment campaign commencing next week.

The quiz will allow those interested in apprenticeships as Fitters, Electricians and Heavy Vehicle Mechanics to see if the programme is a right fit.

The company has also been working with Second Level Schools, and particularly girls’ schools, on “Try a Trade” days, which has allowed students to visit Inchicore Railway Works and try their hand at some of the roles being offered.

The company’s investment programme, part of the National Development Plan 2021 to 2030 and funded by the National Transport Authority and Department of Transport, is set to see their rail services grow and customer service enhanced over the coming years, with investment including:

• A record fleet investment, with the first 95 carriages of the largest, most sustainable rail fleet investment in Irish history ordered last December, and up to 750 carriages planned over the coming decade
• The DART+ Programme, set to treble the electrification and double the capacity of the Greater Dublin Area, with infrastructure works to extend the DART to Maynooth / M3 Parkway, Drogheda and Hazelhatch
• Major investment confirmed in the Cork and Galway commuter rail networks, and planned for Limerick and Waterford
• Network investment to improve speeds and service frequency on the Intercity network

Speaking about the recruitment drive, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann, Jim Meade said:

“Iarnród Éireann is a dynamic organisation, which offers excellent progression opportunities.

“With the planned expansion of services as part of the National Development Plan, it is an exciting time to become part of a growing organisation.

“We are also seeing great interest in careers in Iarnród Éireann from a range of backgrounds – we are a diverse and inclusive employer, and in particular we urge more women to apply for driver roles, and are encouraged by the increasing interest from women in recent recruitment drives.

“We don’t just offer jobs, we offer careers and opportunity.  I myself joined the railway as an Apprentice, and with a European Railway and CIPD-award winning Talent Management function within Iarnród Éireann, we believe we stand alongside any organisation in enabling our people to make the most of their potential.”

More information on driver recruitment: Train Driver Recruitment (irishrail.ie)

More information on apprenticeships: Apprenticeship Programme 2021 (irishrail.ie)