Northern Trains is offering skills for life to even more railway apprentices

NORTHERN Trains is seeking more talented people to join its 7,000 strong workforce and gain skills for life through its highly popular apprenticeship scheme.

The search for new apprentices started at the National Apprenticeship Week took place between:- 5 February and 11 February 2024, and Northern is 1 of the largest providers of apprenticeship opportunities, in the North of England.

Northern has a range of opportunities across its business including:- engineering, customer service and back office support and every new driver and conductor recruit will be supported through an apprenticeship qualification.

Northern currently has more than 660 colleagues on apprenticeship programmes across its:- driving, conducting, engineering and business support operations and this year is planning on enrolling a further 467 onto an apprentice qualification.

Apprenticeships are a great way for either a young person to start their career at Northern or for a more experienced candidate to change direction and embrace a new opportunity and gain the equivalent of a University qualification.

Northern's engineering apprenticeship scheme is always oversubscribed, and more and more roles are offered every year.

Those who are successful in their application will embark on an exciting programme that is a mixture of onsite learning in partnership with Myerscough College (nr Preston) and on the job training in:- maintenance depots, offices, control centres, at Stations and on board trains. Apprenticeship roles are available across the whole of the North.

Jamie Woods and Kyle Martin both started as engineering apprentices in 2023 and are learning the skills needed to help maintain Northern's 368 trains.

Jamie, commented from her base at Neville Hill train care centre in Leeds:- "At Northern I can challenge myself to be the best I can and develop new skills in a supportive environment."

Kyle, who works at Allerton depot in Liverpool said:- "I have always had an interest in finding out how and why things work, and I love having the support I need to improve and grow my own knowledge and skillset."

In the past 4 years Northern has developed 101 engineering apprenticeships and this year are looking to recruit a further 18.

Lisa Leighton, Northern's People Director commented on the importance of apprenticeships:- "Apprenticeships are fast becoming the norm for people who want to fast-track their careers. We are looking for talented and passionate candidates from all types of backgrounds to join our team. We will introduce apprentices to our amazing business and the way we work, while helping them to build their knowledge around specific roles and the rail industry itself. Our apprentices are offered the full support of our dedicated team of Operational Trainers, Apprentice Coaches and Quality Assurance specialists; who are all committed to helping candidates earn while they learn in roles which will lead to recognised qualifications. We are offering real skills for life."

Northern's engineering apprenticeships are open to anyone who is aged:- 16, by 1 September 2024. You must be aged:- 15 to apply. Northern is aiming to recruit apprenticeships on a 50/50 gender split.

Applications are open until 18 February 202 and more information is available at:- NorthernRailway.Co.UK.

Hero Dads Announce New Charity Trek

3 bereaved fathers who set out to achieve something positive following the tragic suicides of their daughters have announced a 3rd national charity walk.

The 3 Dad Walking, who have already raised more than a million pounds for the North West based charity PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide, have become national heroes for raising awareness and helping to save young lives.

Andy Airey from Cumbria, Mike Palmer from Greater Manchester and Tim Owen from Norfolk, all completed their 1st challenge in 2021 by walking 300 miles.

A year later they doubled that distance by trekking 600 miles, walking between the parliaments of all 4 nations, from:- Northern Ireland through Scotland, Wales and England.

Now they plan to trek a further 500 miles in April and May 2024, covering new ground by walking from Scotland through the Eastern counties of England.

On route they will visit some of the newly opened, or soon to open, PAPYRUS Offices and Hubs in:- Stirling, Newcastle, Leeds, Hull and Norwich.

Andy Airey, who lost his 29 year old daughter Sophie to suicide in 2018, said:- "This walk is about refocussing our fundraising efforts to help PAPYRUS achieve its goals and extend the lifesaving work the charity does. Along the way we will talk to loads of people, some of whom will be new to the charity, we will raise funds to help PAPYRUS open more offices, train more people and ultimately stop preventable suicides. Together we can save lives."

Mike Palmer, who lost his 17 year old daughter Beth to suicide in 2020, says the 3 Dads Walking have unfinished business. "Our third walk is borne from the belief that more precious young lives can be saved. Progress is being made but the fact is we hear of more tragic stories nearly every week and there is so much work still to do. Walking and talking is what we do. Smashing the stigma around mental health and suicide is our goal. With every step we remember our girls and this gives us the courage to make a difference."

In 2022 the 3 Dads Walking attracted more than 100,000 signatures for an online petition to have suicide prevention included on the School curriculum, prompting a debate in the House of Commons.

Shortly afterwards the dads received a national Pride of Britain Award.

Tim Owen, who lost his 19 year old daughter Emily to suicide in 2020, said:- "Like many, I was shocked to find out that suicide is the biggest killer of under 35s in the UK, and often wondered if our stories would have been different if we or our girls had known about PAPYRUS and the charity's HOPELINE247 service. Our walk will highlight the lifesaving work PAPYRUS deliver through a growing number of hubs embedded in communities across the UK. The more money we raise as we walk, the more the charity will expand across the nation and the more lives will be saved."

During their 2 previous walks the 3 Dads Walking were overwhelmed by public kindness and generosity.

Hollywood Actors Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman each donated £10,000, as did soccer legend Lou Macari, who lost his son to suicide.

Ged Flynn, Chief Executive of PAPYRUS, which has its headquarters in Warrington, said:- "The 3 Dads Walking have already captured the nation's hearts, after all what could be more important than the wellbeing of our children and saving young lives? Andy, Mike and Tim are ordinary dads who will be continuing their extraordinary mission to raise awareness and spread hope, helping to start vital conversations about suicide that too many families feel unable or unwilling to have. In their efforts to raise much needed funds for our charity, the dads have already enabled us to grow and 2024 will see PAPYRUS further extend its work into the heart of many communities across the UK."

For practical, confidential suicide prevention help and advice, please contact the PAPYRUS HOPELINE247, by calling:- 08000684141, text:- 07860039967, or email:- Pat@Papyrus-UK.Org. For more details about the 3 Dads Walking and their 2024 challenge visit:- 3DadsWalking.UK.