TransPennine Express recruits first sustainability apprentice

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TransPennine Express recruits first sustainability apprentice

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Picture of Janine Booth

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Lucy Lightbown, TPE Sustainability Apprentice
Lucy Lightbown, TPE Sustainability Apprentice // Credit: TPE

TransPennine Express (TPE) has welcomed its first ever apprentice into its sustainability team.

The debut apprentice is Lucy Lightbown, an 18-year-old from Bolton, who has been taken on alongside other apprentices in other areas of the operator’s business. Apprentices will see first-hand how different aspects of railway operations come together, and will gain the skills required for a career on the rails.

Lucy will also acquire a level four professional qualification in Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability via LDN Ltd, and will apply her knowledge in the working . She will learn what sustainability means to the rail industry by working with TPE’s sustainability team and industry experts.

TPE’s recently-published Sustainability Performance Report highlights its progress during the 2023 financial year, including:

  • identifying heaters that are not working effectively so they can be replaced with energy-efficient upgrades
  • trialling coffee cup recycling bins
  • 37 per cent improvement on carbon impact per passenger kilometres travelled in 2022/23 compared with 2021/2022.

The Report provides an account of TPE’s performance across all four Pillars of Sustainability: Carbon and Air; Beyond Carbon; TPE’s People; and TPE’s Customers and Communities.

Nicola Martin and Lucy Lightbown
Nicola Martin and Lucy Lightbown // Credit: TPE

Lucy Lightbown said: “When I finished college, I knew that University was not the right option for me. I have a real passion for the environment, so when I heard about the apprenticeship opening at TPE it seemed like the perfect fit for me.

“This scheme will allow me to earn whilst I learn and make a positive impact on the environment at the same time.

“I’ve always been aware of TPE as it serves the area that I live and destinations I love to visit, such as the Lake District.

“When I saw the apprenticeship opening, I read up on the steps TPE has taken to improve its eco-efficiency and become more sustainable, which made me certain this would be a company I’d love to work for.

“I hope to help TPE continue to lower its carbon footprint, become as sustainable as possible, and encourage more people to take the train over less environmentally friendly travel options.”

Nicola Martin, Head of Sustainability for TPE, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Lucy into the sustainability team. In the short time she’s been with us she’s shown passion, commitment, and an eagerness to learn.

“It’s a very exciting time to join TPE as we embed of first ever sustainability strategy, which we launched in June 2022, to coincide with World Environment Day. Our Sustainability Strategy embodies the principles of sustainable development, not just environment, and is part of our transformation plan. It provides a long-term vision, approach with milestone targets, aligned to industry expectations and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Our annual sustainability performance report provides transparency on progress against our goals, including net zero, circular economy, and good nature to name just a few.

“The apprenticeship programme and its expansion into wider areas of TPE demonstrates that we are actively promoting long-term careers and not just jobs. We also have ambitious plans for increasing our social value through our community engagement activities, which Lucy will get involved in.

“Throughout the next two years Lucy will develop the skills she needs to succeed in a career within the rail industry and in sustainability.”

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