The Belgian national operator SNCB has announced more than 140 new job openings as part of its 2026 recruitment campaign, seeking to strengthen its workforce of train drivers and train conductors in Brussels and Wallonia.
Following the success of its 2025 drive, which has already secured the majority of positions planned for this year, SNCB is moving early to prepare for rising demand in the coming years. More than 60 driver positions are now available in depots at Brussels, Mons, Charleroi and Liège, while over 80 conductor roles are open in Brussels, Namur, Charleroi, Mons and Liège.
The company has advised applicants to apply quickly, noting the popularity of these professions. Selected candidates will be able to begin their fully paid training later this year.
Paid training and entry requirements
Train driving and train conductor roles are not taught in conventional schools and require specific on-the-job training, which SNCB provides and finances entirely.
Driver applicants must hold a certificate of upper secondary education or equivalent. For candidates applying to the Liège depot, knowledge of German is required. Training lasts around one year, after which successful trainees are certified as drivers and shunters before starting active duty.
No formal diploma is required for conductor positions, although a good knowledge of both national languages is expected. Conductor training lasts five months and prepares candidates to ensure safety, comfort and passenger information during journeys.
Varied responsibilities
The role of a train driver extends beyond operating trains. Drivers perform technical tests before departure, respond to operational incidents and take responsibility for hundreds of passengers each day. It is a position requiring independence and responsibility and has been attracting increasing numbers of women in recent years.
Conductors, meanwhile, are the main point of contact for passengers, providing information on timetables and connections, ensuring safety at departure, making announcements, and carrying out ticket inspections. The work involves a wide range of routes and daily interaction with diverse passengers.
SNCB jobs: attractive salaries and benefits
Both positions offer competitive remuneration. During training, drivers receive a net monthly salary of around EUR 2,200, rising to EUR 2,400 upon entry into service, along with additional benefits. Conductors receive EUR 2,100 net during their training period, increasing to EUR 2,300 once they begin the role.
Over the past three years, SNCB has recruited more than 1,000 new train drivers, including 400 in 2024 alone. Around 300 drivers and 50 conductors are currently in training.
Interested candidates are invited to apply via the SNCB website without delay, as places are expected to fill quickly. Those selected will begin their training from late November.
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