Published 14 Feb 2025
The pioneering open access rail operator Lumo has hosted a special visit by the MP for Newcastle upon Tyne Central & West, to mark the annual National Apprenticeship Week.
Chi Onwurah MP spent time meeting apprentices from the popular train operator, whilst learning about how Lumo is setting the standard within the rail industry for training the next generation of talent.
Lumo serves customers on the East Coast Main Line between London, Newcastle and Edinburgh. The operator is proud to have made apprenticeships a key part of its workforce strategy with an impressive 65 members of the talented team starting on the scheme.
Current apprenticeships in progress at the operator range from customer service and data analytics to train driving roles. In one cohort, an enviable sixteen apprentices were given the training they needed through an apprenticeship route to become customer drivers.
The company works with Train’d Up, a renowned provider of apprenticeships. The partnership has enabled Lumo to create opportunities within the rail industry for those from all walks of life.
Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director of Lumo, said: “I’d like to thank Chi for taking the time to visit the team at our Tyneside HQ. National Apprenticeship Week is the perfect time to talk about what amazing opportunities apprenticeships are and just how effective they’ve been, and continue to be as a recruitment and skills development pathway for our colleagues, helping us develop new employment opportunities from a range of backgrounds across the communities we serve..
“We take great pride that nearly all our Lumo colleagues have had the opportunity to train through our apprenticeship programme with Train’d Up. Since our launch in 2020, we’ve endeavoured to ensure that as many local people as possible have had the opportunity to join us, regardless of their previous career or background.”
40% of the Lumo workforce at Lumo are female; helping lead the way for female drivers in the industry. Students from Newcastle College also joined the event as part of the ongoing work experience partnership between the two organisations to give real life experiences of working in a train operation, and help inspire the next generation of railway apprentices.
Chu Onwurah MP, said: “Apprentices and apprenticeships are brilliant because they give access to new skills and new careers and they are accessible to people of all ages and it means people are supported into new skills and new careers. It really is a critical part of raising the skills levels in our region.
“It’s absolutely fantastic to hear from such a wide range of people and hear about their experiences and it’s really impressive the range of skills support that Lumo are offering and the way that people can transition from one career to another. It has been a fantastic experience.”
Lumo has successfully worked in partnership with Train’d Up since 2020. The company is committed to ensuring as many local people as possible have the opportunity to join the rail industry, regardless of their previous skill set or background.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, said: “It’s so important that we create opportunity across the North East and when I go into a multitude of businesses here, whether it’s a manufacturing firm, here at Lumo or the hospitality sector, quite often I’m told by someone senior in the business that they started as an apprentice. I think that’s a fantastic message. We want to see more of that.”
Paul Daglish, Lead Learning Specialist at Train’d Up, said: “We’ve worked with over 15 other train operators and have never seen staff training being implemented in such a way – it’s simple but pretty extraordinary for a train operator to do.
“An apprenticeship is a key step towards becoming a train driver in the UK as hands-on, situational experience is vital. Lumo is helping to give the local area the opportunity to join the rail industry and learn brand new skills all while earning.”
Two of Lumo’s current cohort of trainee customer drivers, Alex Thomas and Claire Walker were able to share their stories of switching careers from roles outside of the rail industry to join a growing number of success stories enjoying a rewarding career with Lumo.
Danny Davis, Director of The Purpose Coalition, said: “Apprenticeships are a key driver of social mobility, providing skills, opportunity, and a pathway to great careers. Lumo’s commitment to the next generation of talent is making a huge difference locally, breaking down barriers and creating brighter futures.”