Alex Worsick, a longtime voice on BBC Radio Lancashire, announced she is leaving the broadcaster after 22 years to pursue a career as a train driver. The 49‑year‑old, who grew up in Accrington and now lives in Lytham, applied for the role after hearing a fellow driver, Lauren Pugh, encourage more women to join the rail industry.
From the studio to the cab
Worsick said she had “done everything I wanted to do with the BBC” – reporting, producing, news reading and editing – and was ready for a fresh challenge. “If I don’t do it now, I never will,” she explained, noting the decision felt nerve‑racking in her mid‑40s but ultimately rewarding.
She submitted an application to become a trainee driver in 2024, passed a rigorous selection process that included interviews, psychometric testing and a physical assessment, and then completed a 20‑week classroom program covering train operations, signaling and the comprehensive rulebook all drivers must follow.
On‑the‑job training
Worsick is currently logging the required 230 hours of hands‑on experience in the driver’s cab on five routes that run through Lancashire and Merseyside. Once fully qualified, drivers can earn up to £65,000 a year, according to the National Careers Service.
“It’s a brand‑new challenge, so you have to accept it will be difficult at times, but it’s really rewarding,” she said. “I have never learned so much in such a short time as I have at train driver school. Being in that front cab is surreal, but you feel reassured straight away as you have an instructor with you.”
Worsick recalled driving over the iconic viaduct near her hometown of Accrington, a structure she had walked under countless times. “Being in that front cab – taking people where they want to go – felt like a real privilege. It was quite special,” she added.
Encouraging others
She hopes her story will inspire others seeking a career change, especially women. “I wish I had done it years ago, especially with Northern because everyone I have met has been so encouraging and supportive. It’s like one big family,” she said.
Worsick described the experience as giving her “a new lease of life” and a renewed sense of achievement, noting that learning new information has made her feel like a student again.
The former presenter’s transition highlights the growing opportunities in the rail sector for career‑switchers and underscores the importance of supportive workplaces that value dedication and hard work.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
