TransPennine Express has launched the Where Next Project - a mentorship scheme to find, nurture and showcase new talent.
The winners of the scheme will receive four months of mentoring as they become 'Future Stars'. They will devise a showcase idea with their mentor, which will be delivered across the TransPennine Express network in September.
The Future Stars will receive three face to face meetings with their mentor, regular phone calls and email throughout the mentorship and help making their current project commercially successful through contacts, advice and logistical help in order to kick start their dreams.
To enter, applicants can apply here www.tpexpress.co.uk/where-next/where-next-project/ for their chance to become a Where Next Project 'Future Star.' The deadline is 9th June 2016.
After drawing up a shortlist of 12, the mentors will then help choose the six final Future Stars who will complete the mentorship scheme, and launch their showcase event in September.
The selected mentors are Scottish television chef, Tony Singh, Leeds-born neon artist Julia Bickerstaff and Lancashire-raised radio DJ Shaun Keaveny who head up the food, art and music categories respectively.
The trio were selected as Where Next Project mentors by TPE due to their intrinsic pride in their roots and commitment to furthering the regions, and the people within it. They will select the 'Future Stars' based on their talent and ability to help contribute to the cultural vibrancy and economic growth of the region TPE serves.
Sue Whaley, HR Director, TransPennine Express: "Having won the rights to be the intercity operator of the North, we are determined to provide an outstanding service the North can be proud of but also be a company that helps champion, showcase and nurture the region's talent.
"We know there is a deep rooted intrinsic pride amongst the regions TPE serves and we want to tap into this. We want to celebrate the diversity and differences, and ultimately grow the region and help develop the people within it - something which the Where Next Project delivers.
"We are proud to have mentors of the calibre of Tony, Shaun and Julia involved. They share our vision for the north, and commitment to championing those within it."
