Chloe delighted to get dream career on track

Taking a leap of faith and changing tracks has been a life-changing experience for one Plymouth train driver.

- Athwenna Irons reports

“THE most rewarding decision I ever made.”

That's the message from Plymouth-based Chloe Chapman, who has turned her dream of becoming a train driver into reality.

It comes as a recent survey has revealed that 85% of women in the UK hold the belief that many jobs are still viewed as being more suited to men. Consequently, 10% have avoided applying for certain roles due to concerns about not being as successful as male counterparts.

The rail industry isn’t immune to such stigma. Long-distance train operator CrossCountry is on a mission to change this and has long been dedicated to creating inclusive opportunities. Its apprenticeship programme serves as a shining example of how businesses can empower individuals to pursue their dreams, having successfully supported 300 apprentices in the last three years to gain the skills and qualifications needed to excel in the rail industry.

Chloe's story is one that truly highlights the programme's impact and is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to follow your dreams.

Taking the leap at 33 years old to switch careers to finally land her dream job, Chloe’s passion for railways traces back to her childhood - inspired by her grandfather, who worked as a fitter at Laira rail maintenance depot, and her grandmother, who took her on countless visits to Cornwall on the train. However, like many women, she initially dismissed the idea of becoming a train driver, perceiving it as a male-dominated profession.

"I used to think that driving trains wasn’t for someone like me, but once I realised it was possible, I knew I had to go for it. It’s the most rewarding decision I’ve ever made,” she said.