THE minimum age for train drivers will be lowered from 20 to 18 amid concerns over driver shortages.
It means school leavers could be in the driver’s seat by the end of the year.
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Ministers say the move will help fill staff shortages blamed for nearly nine in ten last-minute train cancellations and will get more youngsters into jobs.
Training generally takes between one and two years.
Apprenticeships could become available as early as December.
All recruits will still need at least GCSEs in English and maths, and must pass a string of psychological, medical and competency tests.
Mark Phillips of the Rail Safety and Standards Board said: “Our research found 18-year-olds are capable of safely becoming train drivers.”
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “We are committed to getting the economy moving and a big part of that is getting young people into the workforce.”
The average age of a UK train driver is 48, with 30 per cent set to reach retirement age by 2029.
Just three per cent are under 30.
Fewer than nine per cent are female.
Mick Whelan, boss of train drivers’ union Aslef, said the new policy will increase diversity.
Currently just under 12 per cent of train drivers are from an ethnic minority.
France, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland have all lowered the age for drivers.
Transport for London opened up its train driver apprenticeships on the Underground to 18-year-olds in 2007.