East Midlands Railway (EMR), operated by Transport UK, has celebrated the achievements of one of its rising engineering talents by naming 19‑year‑old Fleet Apprentice Matt Hardy as its Apprentice of the Year. The award recognises Matt’s outstanding contribution to operations at EMR’s Etches Park Depot in Derby.
Currently in the second year of his apprenticeship, Matt received the accolade after colleagues nominated him for his dedication, teamwork and growing expertise within the engineering team.
Since joining EMR, Matt has become an integral part of the depot’s operations, working closely with experienced engineers to help maintain fleet performance and ensure trains are safe, reliable and ready to serve customers across the region.
He added:
"The teamwork with everyone I have worked with at the depot has been the best part. I’ve loved learning about fixing trains and then seeing them back out in service, knowing I’ve been part of the team that made that happen.
Working alongside experienced people and learning from them every day has been brilliant. The teamwork is definitely my favourite part.”
Matt was nominated by several colleagues, including Fleet Operations Competency Specialist Jacob Lane, who praised his maturity, wider operational awareness and commitment to EMR’s values.
Jacob said:
"Matt considers whole system thinking rather than purely engineering – he is eager to explore other areas of the business and relate decisions he makes in production to how they affect the business as a whole, as well as the customer experience.
He can be relied upon to deliver whatever he sets out to achieve. He is a model apprentice and employee who demonstrates EMR core values every day."
Alexandra Hooper, Apprenticeship Lead at EMR, said the award highlights both Matt’s talent and the importance of apprenticeships within the railway industry.
She said:
"I’m incredibly proud of Matt for achieving this award. He has worked exceptionally hard and has truly excelled in his role, which is clearly reflected in his nominations and this fantastic achievement.
Apprenticeships play a vital role at EMR and are central to both our current success and the future of our railway. They give colleagues the opportunity to build valuable skills that support them in their roles while strengthening our business as a whole. Just as importantly, they help us broaden diversity across our workforce, support social mobility, and provide a strong stepping stone for both personal and professional development."
Image credit: EMR
