In the heart of 2026 Apprenticeship Week, the best of best next generation transport logistics degree students gathered in the heart of the City of London at the livery hall of the Carmen, Carmen Hall, Fleet Street EC4 to compete for the very best dynamic delivery challenges across London.
The challenge was a trip across London. A multimodal challenge of route and mode, below and above the Thames. Against the clock, varied between east and west, apprentices in pairs to choose direction in real world simulation of a W1 and E14 double drop delivery, double real was dynamic addition of bridge closures to block routes and provide management challenge of best options.
It was a big January turnout of transport apprentices to fill Carmens Hall and the challenge had extra courses, this was a double helping of education and practical resource on the road.
Apprentices began their challenge day with an exceptional lecture on transport risk management by Royal Logistics Corp, former Brigadier Andy Moffat who delivered a masterclass in transport management. Education focus of challenge day continued with a workshop on assessment process (EPA) for apprenticeships at level 6 delivered by Dr Tracey Worth. University West London.
For the Main Course event, Carmen, Warden, Vince Dignam, City of London Corporation, Head of transport, did the countdown to start the first challenge event of 2026. Youngest-ever Carmen Court member, Caitland Lomas and former challenge record holder was on hand for route guidance, route order and direction. The key question is starting East for Docklands or starting West for Piccadilly.
Carmen Master Andy Miles commented, ‘It’s great to see our next generation in a real road-based challenge at the heart of the City of London, using all modes of transport in the Capital available, the winners should be congratulated on their clever shift to Lime bikes to connect their tube and DLR legs. Well done our next generation transport managers.’
Apprentice challenge 2026 Mon January 26th
Carmen Livery Hall at 186 Fleet Street is ten minutes mins walk from Blackfriars tube, Embankment underground or Holborn. First feet forward north to Holborn or south to Blackfriars? The event fully inclusive and open to all apprentices, it was free to attend and counted toward learning hours for those in apprenticeship education on the DFE DWP Skills England apprenticeship programmes. Part of the challenge was a livery hall visit outside Carmen Hall, some chose Fishmongers on London Bridge to win their steps over the Thames at London Bridge.
Dr Tracey Worth Univ West London explains...
The Carmen's Challenge is to travel across London collecting evidence of the trip and achieving a set of goals in the shortest possible time. Merit awards for the greatest variation of vehicles used. Merit particularly awarded for the lowest joint age of the two members of the team. The budget, a six-zone travel card supported with ten pounds of expenses. A dynamic challenge is added on the morning of the event. 2026 saw Blackfriars and Southwark bridges closed to participants.
The rules of the apprentice challenge
The challenge team must consist of two, one member being over 18
Both members are always travelling together.
Using a phone or camera for evidence capture.
Drive no vehicle which needs a license.
Use no map or advice that is not available free of charge to the general public.
Use a budget not exceeding a six zone London travel card and ten pounds.
Conclude the challenge if not completed within three hours.
Goals:- (in any order)
Travel both under and over the Thames.
Stand below Canada tower, Canary Wharf.
Stand under the arch at Hyde Park Corner.
Stand in front of a livery hall that is not the home of the Carmen
Travel not less than one stop on a bus, a tube & the DLR
2026 winners
2026 winners - Lee Rathbone FedEx and Victoria James EVRi
A joint branded team of next day express managers, FedEx and Evri swapped transport mode to spin Lime bicycles between tube DLR and London bridges for the 2026 win.
Lee and Vicky are attending the House of Lords transport reception 3rd March to receive their recognition for next generation transport managers from the University of West London Vice Chancellor Peter John CBE.
2026 best time FedEx and Evri, Lee & Victoria aboard Lime bicycles for a selfie with Roal Mail delivery en-route to the challenge win for 2026
Ethos of the goals - to engage with the transport infrastructure of London from train to electric tubes, DLR & bus, possibly a hire bike or cable car, an apprentice may walk part of the route, but may drive no vehicle that needs a license, (this would preclude younger apprentices or those not yet holding such a license). The team of two must always travel together (safeguarding younger apprentices – one member of the team must be over 18, the apprentice master is a welcome member of the team). The route order will vary by any attempt, Canary Wharf and the arch at Hyde Park Corner must be visited, but the apprentices may choose a variety of livery halls. (times are expected to be under three hours)
Those attempting the challenge are aware of the goals and can take whatever time chosen to plan, but when on the challenge may only use maps or travel documents available free of charge to the public. Should there be exceptional circumstances, a tube, bus or rail strike the challenge must be abandoned on that date. Challengers are welcome to improve their time in the years ahead and are welcome to choose different members to form their team.
The challenge would typically be conducted on the annual Carmen Apprentice Day, but may on availability be conducted on other occasions, but always on a working day to balance the continuity of travel density, the start time must always be within one hour of one PM, and no two teams may leave within fifteen minutes of each other.
University of West London, Course lead Dr Tracey Worth was delighted with the attitudes of the students who took part, some more enthusiastic than others, but seeing the friendships and the support network grow for each student makes putting on these events all the more worthwhile. Every student said 'can we do that again?' !
Dr Tracey Worth, UWL delivers rules of the transport route to 2026 logistics apprentices.
