Leeds Apprentices Explore European Transport Systems

Transport Planning Students Gain Insight from International Field Trip

A group of 17 apprentices from Leeds College of Building recently completed a week-long study tour across the Netherlands and Germany, focusing on integrated transport projects in major European cities. The trip provided practical experience in transport planning by visiting cities including Delft, Utrecht, Amsterdam, Essen, Wuppertal, Düsseldorf, and Cologne.

Key Destinations and Activities

• Visits to central train stations in Rotterdam and Utrecht
• Experience of segregated cycling infrastructure in Delft
• Engagement with large-scale multimodal transport hubs
• Completion of seven assessed data-collection activities as part of their qualification

The field trip was part of the apprentices’ Transport Planning Technician course and contributed to two units of their qualification. It was organised in collaboration with Berufskolleg Essen Ost (BKO) in Germany, marking 34 years of partnership between the two institutions. During the visit, apprentices toured BKO’s upgraded campus, met the College Principal, and worked alongside German apprentices who had previously visited Leeds.

Context and Relevance

The timing of the trip coincides with the rollout of the Weaver Network by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, a significant development in the region’s transport infrastructure. The experience aimed to equip apprentices with a broader understanding of integrated transport systems beyond the UK.

Sarah Carter, Transport Planning Project Manager at Leeds College of Building, highlighted the importance of the trip:

“West Yorkshire is entering an incredibly important period for transport with major investment in mass transit, buses, rail, active travel and the creation of a more integrated network.”

“Our apprentices are not just learning in a classroom; they are seeing first-hand how decades of policy and investment have shaped transport in European cities.”

“This experience encourages them to critically examine international best practice and consider how elements might be adapted to benefit local communities.”

Future Opportunities

The next intake for the Transport Planning Technician apprenticeship is scheduled for 19 October 2026. Employers interested in developing their workforce in transport planning are invited to contact the college for more information.