Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
•   Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Working Life

Station assistants, also known as station ‘workers’ or ‘operatives’, undertakes a range of general duties in and around stations such as dealing with passenger queries, assisting passengers with luggage, loading and unloading trains/trams/busses.

They are also responsible for ensuring that customers are aware of any last minute departure time changes.

The station assistants are responsible for keeping the station premises and platforms clean and well presented and in some stations, they assist with ticket selling and ticket checking duties.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Examine passenger documentation to determine destinations and to assign boarding passes.
• Trace lost, delayed, or misdirected baggage for customers.
• Check baggage and cargo and direct passengers to designated locations for loading.
• Provide boarding or disembarking assistance to passengers needing special assistance.
• Confer with customers to determine their service requirements and travel preferences.
• Announce arrival and departure information, using public address systems.
• Determine whether space is available on travel dates requested by customers, assigning requested spaces when available.
• Assemble and issue required documentation, such as tickets, travel insurance policies, or itineraries.
• Maintain computerised inventories of available passenger space and provide information on space reserved or available.
• Inform clients of essential travel information, such as travel times, transportation connections, or medical and visa requirements.

Further Information

• Train Conductor- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Train Station Staff- from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

This is an entry level job and qualifications and experience are not necessarily required. Initial training is often carried out 'on-the-job', working alongside an experienced staff member.

Depending on the employer, job applicants are sometimes required to undergo an entrance test and a medical examination.

After a number of years, you may be able to progress to a role with more responsibilities, such as team supervisor, assistant station manager and eventually station manager. Skills to advance.

You can consider other careers too, as your experiences from a station assistant role will equip you with transferable skills such as customer service skills which are important in a wide range of careers.

Key Skill Certs:

Manual Handling certificate refers to physical activities in most workplaces, and in particular when the activities involve lifting heavy objects which could result in back injury. 

Health & Safety or First Aid training

These courses may be available at low or no cost in FET centres nationwide. You can search for these key skills certs, just add the key word via Search our FET CourseFinder.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: office procedures, business administration, retail, digital media, marketing.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: office procedures, business administration, transport, logistics.

Search for PLC Courses

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €25k - €38k

Salaries Vary by employer, location, role, duties, shift pattern, and experience.

Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Payscale/ Glassdoor/ Morgan McKinley/ Excel

Last Updated: February, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Bus and coach drivers; Taxi and cab drivers and chauffeurs; Train and tram drivers; Marine and waterways transport operatives; Air transport operatives; Rail transport operatives; Other drivers and transport operatives n.e.c.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment growth was negative for this occupation, with little change in employment levels since 2020. Most are employed as taxi drivers and bus and coach drivers; although employment levels remained unchanged for taxi drivers between quarter 4 2021 and quarter 4 2022, there was a fall in the number of persons employed as bus and coach drivers. At 43%, the share aged 55 years and older far exceeded the national average and may lead to an increase in replacement demand across the roles in the coming years. Issues with recruiting taxi drivers that occurred with the reopening of the economy post-COVID-19 appears to have eased somewhat; the data does not point to any evidence of shortages.

In a statement to the Joint Oireachtas committee on Transport and Communications, the National Transport Authority noted issues with retaining and recruiting bus drivers in a time of full employment. There have been advertising campaigns (e.g. Dublin Bus, Bus Eireann) to recruit new bus drivers. As a result of issues with recruitment, a quota for 1,500 new permits for bus and coach drivers was added in December 2022 which has yet to be reflected in the data. The Skills for Growth data also indicates issues with filling vacancies for bus drivers (including for those with good communication skills). Despite the negative employment growth for this occupation overall, skills shortages have emerged for bus and coach drivers.

• Iarnrod Eireann

  • Connolly Station, Dublin 1
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• Bus Eireann

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• National Transport Authority

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• Transdev

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• Transport for Ireland

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