Train Drivers Academy

There are currently around 17,000 drivers in Britain and as part of an industry pledge to make our railway more representative to the communities and people we serve, the Train Drivers Academy aims to increase the diversity of the train driver population.
 
Currently governed by its member representatives, the Train Drivers Academy was established in April 2019 on the request of the Department of Transport. It is steered and managed by the Rail Delivery Group. 

The Train Drivers Academy is not a physical establishment but rather an organisation that promotes good practice in train driver attraction, recruitment, selection, apprenticeships, training and competence management.

A current focus of the Train Drivers Academy scheme is preparing the industry for the lowering of the minimum train driver age from 20 to 18. The legislative change to enable this is likely to be brought forward in early 2026, with a likely implementation date later in that year.