The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed plans for up to 600 railway apprenticeships for young people aged 16 to 21 over the next four years. The announcement comes alongside confirmation that Great British Railways (GBR) will establish its headquarters in Derby, creating space for up to 450 staff.
The development forms part of the Government’s plans to bring Britain’s railways under public ownership while expanding employment opportunities for younger workers. The headquarters will be built in Derby’s Becketwell district, with construction expected to begin in early 2027 and finish by spring 2029.
New Derby Headquarters To Accommodate up to 450 Railway Staff
According to the Department for Transport’s announcement on 15 October 2026, the new Great British Railways headquarters will occupy the former Duckworth Square site in Derby city centre. The development is expected to provide an estimated £151 million boost to the regional economy.
The proposed eight-storey building will form part of the wider £200 million Becketwell regeneration scheme. As reported by the BBC, the site was selected ahead of Midland House, another shortlisted location opposite Derby railway station.
The headquarters will cover approximately 106,544 square feet (9,898 square metres). Plans also include improved walking routes and public transport connections, alongside an extension to Springwell Square and a new pocket park on Macklin Street.
The development will provide a central base for GBR, the planned publicly owned organisation responsible for railway infrastructure, passenger service procurement and most fares and timetables.
Its establishment remains subject to legislation. The Government hopes the Railways Bill, which will provide the legal framework for GBR, will receive Royal Assent by the end of 2027.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the new headquarters would place Derby at the centre of the railway’s future, bringing together services under a single organisation focused on passengers. The announcement follows a £1 billion investment in new trains for northern England, which are set to be manufactured at Alstom’s Derby facility.
DWP Apprenticeship Scheme Targets Young People Over Four Years
Alongside the headquarters announcement, the DWP has confirmed that up to 600 young people aged between 16 and 21 will enrol in rail foundation apprenticeships over the next four years.
According to the Government’s official press release, the first apprentices will be based in Derby, with the programme combining paid workplace experience and qualifications designed to support entry into railway careers.
The initiative comes as fewer than 7% of Britain’s railway workforce is aged under 25, highlighting the relatively small proportion of younger employees currently working in the industry. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said the apprenticeships would allow participants to explore different career paths while developing technical knowledge and earning a wage.
The scheme forms part of the Government’s £2.5 billion youth employment support package, intended to create up to 500,000 opportunities for young people to work or undertake training. It also supports the Government’s Youth Guarantee, which aims to ensure young people have opportunities to earn or learn.
East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward welcomed the apprenticeship announcement, saying it would give young residents opportunities to develop railway careers without having to leave the region. The first apprenticeships will be based in Derby, while the headquarters is scheduled for completion in spring 2029. Both measures form part of the Government’s wider programme to reorganise Britain’s railways and support youth employment.
