Rail operator welcomes new cohort of qualified train drivers

East Midlands Railway has unveiled its latest cohort of newly qualified train drivers at a special ceremony held in Derby.

Among the 12 new graduates was Alicia Oldham, 32, who was presented with her train driver’s key by her father, Stuart Oldham, a seasoned train driver with more than 30 years of service.

The ceremony also marked a milestone for EMR, as this graduating class is the first with a near 50:50 gender split, a significant step forward in making the rail industry more inclusive.

Mark Letman, lead operations training manager, said: “We often see sons following in their fathers’ footsteps in the railway, so it’s fantastic to see a daughter joining her father as a train driver.

“We’re incredibly proud of all our trainee drivers, the dedication and effort they put into their training is outstanding.

“It’s especially encouraging to see greater diversity in our training rooms as we shape the next generation of drivers.”

Kelly Mcghee, another graduate from the cohort, said: “I spent 15 years working in education. Now that my kids have grown up, I decided it was time for a change and applied to become a driver.

“For anyone considering a career in rail, it takes a lot of dedication and hard work, but it’s worth it. I’ve loved the training.”

Kate Holden, HR director at East Midlands Railway, said: “We’re seeing a growing number of women applying for roles that have traditionally been male-dominated.

“It’s fantastic to welcome so many new female train drivers to our team.

“More and more women are recognising the railway as an exciting and rewarding career path, and we’re proud to be part of that shift.

“We’re committed to attracting the very best talent from all backgrounds, and this increase in diverse applicants reflects the inclusive culture we’ve worked hard to build, one where everyone feels valued and supported.”