Prime Minister Andy Burnham visited Alstom’s Litchurch Lane Works in Derby in his second week in office, where the company used the occasion to highlight training provision at its site and across the UK and to mark the launch of new technical education routes.
Meeting apprentices and showcasing training
During the visit the Prime Minister met about 100 current and former apprentices and graduates from Alstom and its supply chain partners. The delegation included Derby-born apprentice Chloe Turnbull and Walsall-born graduate Yasha Sidiqui, who spoke about their careers in rail engineering.
“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.”
Alstom displayed training activities carried out at its National Training Academy, which currently supports a cohort of 120 trainee apprentices and graduates. The company said the academy forms part of a wider skills network spanning 36 UK sites.
Local roles, national reach
Examples of roles represented at the visit were given in Alstom’s account of the day. Chloe moved into rail from a different sector and now works as a Process Engineer overseeing manufacture of ten Class 345 Aventra trains ordered for London’s Elizabeth line. Yasha, who was named Graduate of the Year at the 2025 RailStaff Awards, is now a Product Cost Engineer, working on design-stage ideas to improve whole-life value for trains expected to run for 30–35 years.
- National Training Academy: supports 120 apprentices and graduates.
- Workforce engagement: around 100 apprentices and alumni met the Prime Minister.
- UK footprint: Alstom operates at 36 sites and supports over 60% of the country's operational train fleets.
Where Alstom’s UK activity stretches
Alstom emphasised the breadth of its UK operations, citing examples of work across the country that feed into rail manufacturing and maintenance.
| Site | Activity |
|---|---|
| Crewe | Bogie and traction motor overhaul |
| Sutton-in-Ashfield | Design and manufacture of passenger and onboard systems |
| Plymouth | Signalling technology export |
The company stated that it supports more than 60 per cent of operational train fleets in the UK, underlining the strategic importance of its manufacturing and maintenance activity for the national network.
Local impact and practical note
For Derby residents the visit reinforces the town’s role as a centre for rail manufacturing and skills development. The presence of the Prime Minister at Litchurch Lane underlines political attention on technical education and on routes into engineering careers, which proponents say are vital to regional employment and to sustaining train fleets nationally.
Alstom’s account of the day focused on skills, apprenticeships and pathways into long-term rail careers rather than on contract announcements. The company’s training programmes continue to take new entrants and the National Training Academy remains the site for their development in the area.
Derby remains a focal point for the UK rail industry and the visit is likely to prompt further local interest in engineering apprenticeships and graduate routes at Alstom and its partners.
