Students put through their paces during training course at Northern depot

Twenty-five Manchester College students completed a four-day project management training programme run by a team from Northern, the Rail Safety and Standards Board and Talent Foundry in May.

They took part in sessions in the classroom and at Northern’s Newton Heath TrainCare Centre in Manchester, to find out how more than 300 people work behind the scenes to keep trains in service for customers.

The students completed theoretical training exercises, explored advanced project management concepts and took part in interactive workshops.

During the visit to Northern’s largest depot, they also worked in groups to deliver projects based on different railway scenarios.

At the end of the programme they delivered presentations on their projects, explaining how they would manage tasks, resources and schedules.

The students received feedback from experienced members of the Northern team and those with the most impressive presentations will be presented with awards during a ceremony in London.

Lisa Leighton, People Director for Northern, said: “The team were really impressed by the students’ willingness to learn and their approach to tackling some of the challenges our staff deal with.

“Hopefully some of them are now thinking about taking on a rewarding career with us in the future.  

“We’re always working to showcase the fantastic opportunities the rail industry has to offer the next generation and the wide range of roles that are available.”

Last month, another 30 students from Fairfield High School for Girls in Droylsden quizzed Northern staff about career opportunities in the rail industry during a visit to Newton Heath TrainCare Centre.

That visit, organised by Northern and Community Rail Network as part of Community Rail Week 2024, they met the engineers that maintain Northern’s Class 150, 156 and 195 trains before sitting down for a question-and-answer session with staff.

Topics discussed included career opportunities in the rail industry, travel confidence, sustainable travel and how barriers to travel can be overcome.

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.