Hulme Grammar School and Northern have today announced a strategic educational outreach partnership to create an ongoing bridge between industry and education across Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) subjects.

Operating through Hulme Grammar’s flagship Brenda Mills Institute of Innovation and Technology (BMIIT), Northern joins as an official Industry Member. A core pillar of the partnership is community outreach: BMIIT will leverage Northern’s industry expertise to extend learning opportunities, events, and workshops to pupils across partner primary and secondary schools throughout the Oldham borough.

Timed to launch on National Engineering Day on Wednesday 4th November, the collaboration features a structured schedule of touchpoints and community outreach initiatives, including:

  • National Engineering Day Primary Workshop: To launch the partnership, Northern engineers and apprentices worked directly with over 130 primary pupils across Oldham schools, hosted at Hulme Grammar, to deliver hands-on engineering projects through the official Primary Engineer Programme.

  • Junior Hackathon Mentoring: Northern tech and innovation professionals will serve as hands-on industry mentors for students competing in Hulme Grammar’s flagship Junior Hackathon at BMIIT taking place in April 2027.

  • Senior and Prep Careers Fairs: Interactive exhibits introducing young people across the borough to modern transport, infrastructure, digital technology, and engineering pathways.

  • Apprenticeship Breakfast: A targeted panel networking session connecting secondary and sixth-form students with Northern apprentices and early-career specialists to highlight direct routes into industry.

  • Student Travel Vlog: A student-led vlog produced by Hulme Grammar Sixth Form pupils documenting what it is like to travel on Northern, creating relatable digital content to reassure young people and highlight the ease, benefits, and independence of using public transport.

  • Preparing Oldham’s Youth for the Jobs of Tomorrow

The partnership directly addresses the growing demand for future-ready talent across Greater Manchester. According to national industry data, the UK requires over 173,000 new STEM and green transport roles filled every year to hit Net-Zero and digital infrastructure goals, yet 49% of engineering and technology businesses report a critical skills shortage among young people entering the workforce. By embedding Northern engineers and leaders directly into BMIIT’s regional outreach, the initiative ensures local students are equipped with the exact technical, digital, and problem-solving skills needed for tomorrow’s high-growth careers.

Rachel Kent, Social Impact Lead at Northern, said:

"Northern is proud to partner with Hulme Grammar School and the Brenda Mills Institute to inspire the next generation of engineers, innovators, and way leaders. Public transport relies on forward-thinking talent, and by bringing our engineers into workshops and events, we can show young people right across Oldham that a career in transport and STEM is within their reach. This partnership aligns directly with our mission to drive social mobility, foster inclusion, and deliver meaningful social value to the local communities we serve every day."

Chris Millington, Head of Science at Hulme Grammar School, said:

"We are thrilled to welcome Northern as an official Industry Member of the Brenda Mills Institute of Innovation and Technology. Following the success of our relationships with industry partners like Hilti, Purple and Manchester Royal, this agreement builds a dynamic framework for ongoing engagement. Crucially, BMIIT was established not just for our own students, but to serve as an educational engine for the wider Oldham community. Mentoring pupils at our Junior Hackathon and running engineering workshops across local schools ensures this partnership delivers a wide-reaching benefit across our region."

Community Impact & Social Value

As the UK’s largest passenger train operator outside London, Northern actively invests in local educational outreach and youth engagement programmes. This initiative reinforces Northern ’s commitment under the RSSB Sustainable Blueprint to enrich local communities, widen access to STEM education, and nurture local talent across Oldham.