Alstom welcomed the Prime Minister to its Derby Litchurch Lane Works as the Government unveiled new technical education pathways, using the UK’s last remaining train manufacturing facility to highlight the role of skills in supporting Britain’s industrial future.
During the visit, the Prime Minister met apprentices and graduates from Alstom and its supply chain, toured the company’s National Training Academy and saw first-hand the specialist engineering training supporting the next generation of rail professionals.
The visit comes as Derby prepares to become the headquarters of Great British Railways and reinforces the city’s position at the heart of the UK’s rail industry.
Spotlight on rail skills
Around 100 current and former apprentices and graduates attended the visit, showcasing the range of careers available across Alstom’s UK operations.
Among them were Process Engineer Chloe Turnbull, who joined the company through its apprenticeship programme after previously working in a pharmacy and now oversees production of Class 345 Aventra trains for London’s Elizabeth line, and Product Cost Engineer Yasha Sidiqui, the 2025 RailStaff Awards Graduate of the Year.
Chloe Turnbull 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 Sidiqui 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.”
Alstom’s National Training Academy currently supports around 120 apprentices and graduates, with trainees working across the company’s 36 UK sites.
Investment in British industry
Alstom used the visit to highlight its contribution to the UK economy and its investment in domestic manufacturing and supply chains.
The company directly employs almost 4,900 people across Britain and says it supports nearly 11,000 additional jobs through its UK supply chain. Over the past year, Alstom spent more than £720 million with almost 1,300 British suppliers, around one-third of which were small and medium-sized enterprises.
The manufacturer also highlighted its £35 million investment in Adessia, its next-generation train platform, which has been designed and engineered in Derby to support the future requirements of Great British Railways.
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.
“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.”
Building on Railway 200
The visit took place almost exactly one year after Derby Litchurch Lane hosted The Greatest Gathering, the flagship event of the Railway 200 celebrations, which attracted more than 40,000 visitors and featured over 140 historic and modern railway vehicles.
As Britain prepares for the establishment of Great British Railways, the visit underlines the growing emphasis on developing domestic manufacturing capability and technical skills to support the railway’s long-term future. With continued investment in apprenticeships, innovation and UK-based supply chains, manufacturers such as Alstom are positioning themselves to play a central role in delivering the next generation of rolling stock and rail technology.
