Alstom has welcomed the Prime Minister to its historic Litchurch Lane Works in Derby, where the Government unveiled new technical education pathways designed to strengthen Britain’s future workforce and support industrial growth.
During his visit to the UK's largest train manufacturing facility, the Prime Minister met around 100 current and former apprentices and graduates from Alstom and its supply chain partners, gaining first-hand insight into the specialist training helping develop the next generation of rail engineers and technicians.
The visit highlighted the vital role apprenticeships and graduate programmes play in supporting the UK rail industry. Alstom’s National Training Academy is currently supporting 120 apprentices and graduates across the business, helping address the sector’s growing demand for highly skilled talent.
Among those meeting the Prime Minister were Derby-born Chloe Turnbull and Walsall-born Yasha Sidiqui, both examples of how apprenticeships and graduate programmes are opening doors to rewarding careers in rail.
Chloe made the transition from working in a pharmacy to joining Alstom as an apprentice at the age of 23, following a family tradition in engineering. She has since progressed to become a Process Engineer and now oversees the manufacture of ten Class 345 Aventra trains for London’s Elizabeth line.
Yasha’s rapid career progression has also attracted industry recognition. After completing graduate placements across Alstom’s engineering teams, she now works as a Product Cost Engineer, helping shape train designs that deliver long-term value over operating lifespans of 30 to 35 years. Her achievements were recognised when she was named Graduate of the Year at the 2025 RailStaff Awards.
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 added:
“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.”
Rail Skills Driving UK Growth
The visit also showcased the breadth of Alstom’s UK operations and its contribution to domestic manufacturing and supply chains.
From Crewe, where bogies and traction motors are overhauled, to Sutton-in-Ashfield, which designs and manufactures passenger systems, and Plymouth, where signalling technology is exported around the world, Alstom plays a significant role in supporting more than 60 per cent of Britain's operational train fleets.
The company used the visit to demonstrate how investment in British rail manufacturing directly supports jobs, skills development and economic growth nationwide.
Rob Whyte, Managing Director UK 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.”
He added:
“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.”
Whyte continued:
“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.”
Alstom’s UK Economic Impact
Over the past year, Alstom’s contribution to the UK economy has included:
- Employing nearly 4,900 people across 36 sites
- Supporting almost 11,000 jobs through its UK supply chain
- Contributing close to £1 billion to UK GDP
- Spending more than £720 million with almost 1,300 British suppliers
- Directing 33% of supplier spend to UK SMEs
- Enabling approximately £100 million of exports through UK suppliers to Alstom operations in 37 countries
- Delivering £191.5 million in social value
One Year After The Greatest Gathering
The Prime Minister’s visit came almost exactly one year after Litchurch Lane hosted The Greatest Gathering, the flagship event of the Railway 200 celebrations marking two centuries of the modern passenger railway.
The three-day festival attracted more than 40,000 visitors from across the globe and featured over 140 historic and modern locomotives, coaches and rail exhibits, making it the largest gathering of rolling stock ever assembled.
As Britain looks to grow its technical workforce and revitalise manufacturing, Alstom’s apprentices, graduates and investment in UK rail continue to demonstrate the sector’s ability to deliver skills, jobs and long-term economic value.
Image credits: Alstom
