Pilot and train driver training in UK

Hi!

I'm a 19 year old American, this is my first post here.  Sorry to make my first post a big question but this seems like a good place to start.

I really, really want to move to Europe, first choice UK.  I'm looking to start my training and career in transportation sometime soon, I want to either be a mapper/planner for a train agency or drive the trains themselves.  I would also love to be a pilot.  So obviously, something in the transportation industry.

Obviously train travel is a lot more popular in Europe - and from what I've read, it's not slowing down at all, as there are new rail systems going into the UK and other countries.  This will mean a lot of new jobs there in my chosen field - while, here in the US, Amtrak and the local transit agencies are constantly in debt and being put on a smaller budget.  I have more reasons why I want to go than that but working is always the most common reason to move to another country, and it seems to be the easiest too.

What are the schools/institutions for this in the UK, or if any of you know of any elsewhere in Europe, could you recommend?  For driving trains, or flight school - would I be in a full university or more of a "trade school" environment to get the proper licensing?  How much are the fees?

Sorry to ask so many questions but I will be very thankful...!  
Mike

Hi Mike,

Here's some info about train driver jobs in the UK, along with some links to the various train operators.  Hopefully that'll give you an idea of what they're looking for:

https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/traindriver.aspx

Other people will, I'm sure, come along to give you advice about getting a visa to move to the UK.  Good luck!

Great, thank you camoscato.

Yes, if anyone else has more info about how a younger American can get started into a career in GB, please share.  From my understanding, most of you are older than me, maybe someone here made the move when they were about 18-21?

Please don't assume that studying in the UK is a path to being able to take up residence. It is now very difficult for recent graduates to remain in the UK after graduation. Take a look at this list of shortage occupations and see if your chosen job is there, and if it is, then take into account the likelihood if it being there in the future, and whether an employer would be willing to sponsor someone fresh out of university.

So what I'm really saying is: if you want to study in the UK make that your goal. Working in the UK may be many years down the line, if at all, when you have the necessary skills and experience AND the immigration situation is favourable.

I think you'll find it very difficult, at least for train driver training, as they already get plenty of applications for that. I've been turned down twice looking to retrain after redundancy.

I think you'll find it very difficult, at least for train driver training, as they already get plenty of applications for that. I've been turned down twice looking to retrain after redundancy.

One of my colleagues at work has been turned down twice for train driver training as well.

I don't know much about how to get into commercial pilot training in the UK, because all the pilots I know are RAF or Army Air Corps pilots who have trained with the British military.

Great, thank you camoscato.

Yes, if anyone else has more info about how a younger American can get started into a career in GB, please share.  From my understanding, most of you are older than me, maybe someone here made the move when they were about 18-21?

I made the move when I was 20/21 (had to leave for a while because of the rules).

Haven't really started on a career yet as I've had kids, but good luck to you!