Former Carer Realizes Childhood Dream as Tram Driver

Chris Bruce, a Halesowen resident, has achieved his long-held childhood ambition of becoming a tram driver. The 59-year-old, who previously worked as a carer and stay-at-home father, had always been drawn to a career in rail transport. He recently received an award for this accomplishment and shared insights on how others can pursue their goals later in life. Mr. Bruce explained the circumstances that led to his career break: “I was caring for my mother until she passed away in 2019,” he stated. “Then Covid struck and I was caring for my two younger children during the various lockdowns. I started looking for work in March 2023 but I knew my employment skills were outdated and this hit my confidence. I couldn’t see a way forward where I would be in work.” The father-of-two sought assistance at his local job centre, where he discovered a work programme offered by Dudley College of Technology. This course provided him with the necessary training to become a tram driver and guaranteed him a job interview. He is now employed full-time, transporting passengers between Birmingham and Wolverhampton. For his perseverance, Mr. Bruce was honored with an adult learner award. The West Midlands Combined Authority presented him with the accolade at a ceremony attended by Richard Parker, the region’s mayor. Reflecting on his lifelong aspiration, Mr. Bruce remarked, “Since I was a little boy I’d always wanted to be a tram or train driver.” He vividly recalled his reaction to the job offer: “When I was offered the job, the six-year-old in me was running around the room screaming with excitement.” He further expressed that this experience has opened new opportunities in his life, and he hopes his story will encourage others to recognize that similar options are available to them. For updates from BBC Birmingham, follow on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.