About Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) with CarmichaelUK
The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) is one of the UK’s most ambitious rail modernisation projects. Spanning the 70-mile corridor between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York, the programme represents a multi-billion-pound investment in the future of east-west connectivity.
When complete, TRU will deliver:
- 23 upgraded stations
- 6 miles of new tunnels
- Almost 300 bridges and level crossings modernised
- Faster journeys, with Manchester to Leeds cut to just 41 minutes
This flagship infrastructure project is reshaping how communities across the North of England connect, travel, and work. As part of the TRU West Alliance, CarmichaelUK has played a central role in delivering major civil engineering works, from station renewals to complex bridge upgrades.
The ETS Solution
TRU is more than a transport programme. It’s a catalyst for economic regeneration, skills development, and inclusive employment across the North.
To support workforce needs on this project, ETS partnered with CarmichaelUK to deliver a targeted rail access training programme. Designed to meet labour requirements on behalf of BAM, the nine-day course took place at HMP Hatfield and equipped 12 ETS participants with a direct pathway into the rail industry.
Learners gained a foundation of essential qualifications, including:
- Generic construction competence
- Specialist Network Rail training
- Site-ready safety and compliance skills
By preparing individuals in custody with practical, employer-driven training, ETS ensured that CarmichaelUK received a reliable, motivated, and safety-conscious workforce—ready to contribute on site from day one.
Shared Commitment to Social Value
This partnership reflects a shared vision between CarmichaelUK and ETS:
- Supporting rehabilitation
- Reducing reoffending
- Creating meaningful employment opportunities
The result is a skills pipeline that benefits not only participants but also the wider community and the rail infrastructure sector at large.
Training Outcomes
The results of the programme highlight its impact:
- 91% of participants successfully completed the programme
- 8 of the 11 eligible learners progressed directly into employment
- The remaining three were released before starting work, meaning there was a 100% employment conversion rate for eligible candidates
These outcomes show how targeted, employer-driven training can transform lives while delivering real value to major infrastructure projects.
