Prime Minister chooses Derby to announce new technical education routes

Prime Minister Andy Burnham chose train-maker Alstom’s Derby factory to announce the launch of new technical education routes.

During his visit to the firm’s Litchurch Lane Works, he met around 100 current and former apprentices and graduates from Alstom and its supply chain partners.

He also witnessed the specialist training provided to engineers and technicians across the firm’s 36 UK sites.

Rob Whyte, UK managing director at Alstom, said: “We were delighted to welcome the Prime Minister and members of his cabinet to Derby Litchurch Lane Works to meet apprentices and graduates and showcase the future of UK train building, based in the city that will be home to Great British Railways.

“Rail can be a core driver of reindustrialising Britain. Last year alone we spent over £720 million with almost 1,300 British businesses, supporting close to 11,000 British jobs in our supply chain.

“Plus, we are bolstering Britain’s railway with £35 million of our own investment in Adessia, our new generation train, designed and engineered at Alstom in Derby to support GBR in achieving its objectives.

“The Prime Minister plans to use public procurement to back British industry, and rail shows how that can deliver skills, jobs and economic growth at every level of the supply chain, in every part of the country.”

During the visit, Mr Burnham met Alstom employees Chloe Turnbull and Yasha Sidiqui.

Chloe changed jobs aged 23 and went from working in a pharmacy to joining Alstom as an apprentice, following her family before her, and is now a process engineer overseeing the manufacture of 10 Class 345 Aventra trains for London’s Elizabeth line.

Meanwhile, Yasha was named Graduate of the Year at the 2025 RailStaff Awards.

She completed graduate placements across the site’s engineering teams and is now a product cost engineer, a role that sees her exploring ideas at the design stage of new trains to deliver ever greater whole-life value for trains that can operate on the network for 30 to 35 years.

Chloe said: “It was such a privilege speaking with the Prime Minister. He was interested in everything he saw and wished everyone the very best in their careers.”

Yasha said: “I am only a few years into my career, but it has already been so rewarding.

“Rail can be overlooked as a career choice; my hope is that the Prime Minister’s support for rail helps change that.”

The Prime Minister’s support for apprentice and graduate training has also been welcomed by Rail Forum, which represents rail-related organisations across the country.

Elaine Clark, chief executive of Rail Forum and chair of the Rail Employment and Skills Board, said: “We welcome a commitment by the Government to technical education and the importance of place in delivering this.

“With the other members of the Rail Employment and Skills Board, we are actively working with Derby College Group to inform their curriculum and inspire students to  consider a rewarding career in rail. 

“Rail Forum members across the country know that young people are the future  of the railway, as we address an increasingly ageing workforce in our sector.”