Becoming
a Guard

Guard Vacancies

Adult, Male, Man, Person, Captain, Officer, Head, Face

Guards are the frontline of safety and customer service, ensuring every journey runs smoothly while keeping passengers informed and supported.

It’s a position of real responsibility and pride, where you’ll play a vital part in the safe and reliable operation of our trains every single day.

Types of Guard

Metro Guards: check tickets, keep customers safe & informed, dispatch trains
Commercial Guards: check & sell tickets, keep customers safe & informed, dispatch trains

Salary Information

See job adverts for full salary details

Training Salary: £26,763
Metro Guards: up to £38,594
Commercial Guards: up to £46,683

Working Hours

Average of 37 hours per week
Rostered shifts weeks in advance
Varied hours; shifts start from 04:00, finish as late as 02:00

Role and Responsibilities

Watch this video for more information and to see what our Guards do!

Duties include:

Overseeing safe boarding & alighting of trains
Safely operating train doors, checking signals & dispatching trains
Patrolling the train, answering questions & offering assistance
Making professional announcements & updating passengers
Staying vigilant about safety & security; reporting delays, faults & security issues

Terminal, Adult, Female, Person, Woman, People, Male, Man, Train Station, Coat

The Recruitment Process

Vacancies: Set up a job alert so you do not miss out!
Apply online: submit your application, ensuring you have written a great reason for applying!
Assessment stage: complete safety‑critical tests measuring concentration, rule‑following and awareness.
Interview: attend a structured interview which includes; competency‑based, specialist and hypothetical questions.
Medical: attend a pre-employment medical, including; drug & alcohol screen, general health, vision and hearing tests

Adult, Female, Person, Woman, Terminal, Backpack, Bag, Clothing, Scarf

Adult, Male, Man, Person, Female, Woman, Boarding, Face, Head

Training

Most Guards are fully productive within their first 6-months!

Initial training: 36 classroom days in Basingstoke
Commercial Guards: additional 10‑day course on ticket sales
Route learning: 6–12 weeks (depending on depot)
Coaching: you will spend 1-week with a coach before going solo!

Why join South Western Railway as a Guard

Become part of a team that keeps communities connected, with the chance to build new skills, enjoy long‑term security, and take pride in delivering journeys that matter. Whether you’re starting fresh or looking for a new challenge, this is a role where your focus and dedication help shape the future of travel across the South and South West.

Enjoy a range of great benefits:
Free duty and leisure travel on SWR services for employees • Free leisure travel for spouse/partner and dependants (criteria dependent)
75% discount on many other train operating companies • 30 days’ annual leave • Full training and ongoing development
Excellent pension scheme

Becoming a Guard