Train driver at Frankfurt Central Station: applicants are sought after

Photo: RALPH ORLOWSKI/ REUTERS

At Deutsche Bahn, train drivers can prepare for a 35-hour week or voluntary overtime for higher pay. But in general there is a problem with young talent. In view of the high demand for new train drivers, the pro-rail alliance Allianz is calling for the job to be classified as a so-called “bottleneck job”.

Currently, the job of “railroad train driver” is only “under observation” by the Federal Employment Agency, but is not classified as a “bottleneck job,” according to a position paper quoted by the dpa news agency. »This classification is met with a lack of understanding in the industry. We therefore advocate a review of the classification,” writes the railway lobby association.

There is also a need for more funding opportunities for career changers in this area. The job centers issue so-called education vouchers for appropriate further training. But these are currently only available to people who are unemployed or at risk of unemployment. The Pro-Rail Alliance generally requires vouchers for “motivated lateral entrants”.

Up to 10,000 train drivers wanted

The Pro-Rail Alliance, founded in 2000, describes itself as the “most unconventional transport alliance” in which environmental associations, transport companies, unions, financial service providers, universities, vehicle manufacturers and consumer protection organizations have come together.

The association assumes that 5,000 to 10,000 additional train drivers will be needed per year over the next few years in order to accommodate the planned shift in transport to rail.

In the past few years up to and including 2022, there were only 1,000 to 2,000 new employees in this area per year, as the association determined based on data from the Federal Employment Agency.

The collective agreement between Deutsche Bahn and the German Locomotive Drivers' Union (GDL) will make the profession more attractive, but will also increase the need for employees, the association also announced.

“In the competition for skilled workers with other industries, more flexible working hours can be a real advantage in attracting staff to the railway industry,” said Jürgen Grenz, managing director of the “Rail Jobs” career platform. »We can promote the profession of train driver much more strongly, especially among young people. We have a great opportunity here.”

In particular, the railways and the GDL had agreed to reduce the weekly working hours for shift workers from the current 38 to 35 hours in several steps by 2029 in the form of a working time choice model.

Anyone who wants to go along with the reduction will continue to receive the same salary. On the other hand, if you stick to your working hours or even want to work more, you will also get more money.

mmq/dpa