National Apprenticeship Week ran from 5 to 11 February, with many coach and bus operators using it as an opportunity to highlight their own apprentices.
We take a look at some of their stories
First Bus
To coincide with National Apprenticeship Week, First Bus has teamed up with transport training provider Realise to launch its first ever apprenticeship programme for bus drivers. The aim of the new pilot is to potentially provide the company with a pathway to create hundreds of new bus drivers every year whilst also enhancing driver retention rates, as well as to attract a more diverse range of applicants to represent the communities it serves.
The inaugural cohort of apprentice drivers have already begun their training. Some began in November, with the final part of the cohort joining in January, and are now placed in the company’s depots in Chelmsford, Bradford, Halifax and Huddersfield.
The training initiative is open to anyone who holds a standard UK driving licence, and successful applicants will complete the Bus Driver Level 2 Passenger Transport Apprenticeship over a 13-month period. Practical bus driving training will be provided, as well as customer service training and functional skills learning in English and maths. If successful, First says the pilot could be extended across the UK to other parts of its business in the future.
Director of Talent and Leadership Development at First Bus Angela Renfrew said: “The First Bus Driver Apprenticeship scheme is the catalyst to attract more young people and diversity into the business, as we strive to be more representative of the communities we serve. Candidates can earn a professional qualification that will support career progression opportunities within First Bus, enabling them to become valued transport professionals. We’re delighted to have more education and training options in our sector and to position bus driving as a rewarding and satisfying career choice that’s available to all. The apprenticeship is a great route for young people and adult learners to earn while they learn.”
Realise Operations Director Kairon Flowers added: “It’s been refreshing to hear how committed First Bus is to co-deliver an apprenticeship programme which not only addresses bus driver shortages, but helps people build long-term careers in the industry. For people of any age who are considering a career in bus driving but don’t have the necessary skill-set, this is the perfect entry mechanism into the industry. In a matter of weeks, the apprentices will be qualified to drive a bus and will be taught the additional skills required to be a successful bus driver.”
Alexander Dennis
As part of National Apprenticeship Week, Alexander Dennis shared the stories from some of its apprentices, including first year apprentice Ollie Cooper and third year apprentice Bobby Carabine, both from its Scarborough factory. “Apprenticeship schemes bring enormous value to our team, our business and our local communities, and we’re proud that many of our apprentices stay with us as they embark on diverse and successful careers,” the company said.
Go East Anglia
Go East Anglia highlighted apprentices Zack Cross and LeVaughn Kaisa.
Zack says he chose apprenticeship over university for its practical, hands-on learning, allowing him to earn money while gaining valuable experience. He says he values real-world skills over theory, embracing the positive atmosphere and camaraderie at Go East Anglia. With ambitions to become an engineering manager, he says he envisions a future of continued development at the company.
Fellow employee LeVaughn also chose an apprenticeship because of a desire for hands-on knowledge, and says he envisions a future climbing the management ladder.
Go-Ahead London
Apprentice Nikkita Gordon is described by Go-Ahead as ‘a standout London bus driver’ and is based at its Croydon garage. The operator says she has shown an impressive readiness, skills, and can-do attitude on electric buses. Beyond her driving prowess, Nikkita champions gender diversity, recently representing apprentices at the House of Parliament, and aspires to be the first female Driving Examiner for Go-Ahead, hoping to inspire more women to lead in a traditionally male-dominated field.
Go North East
Go North East has been working with Gateshead college to recruit and train 10 new apprentices to expand its workforce. Maria Bainbridge, Head of People at Go North East, explained: “Investing in new apprentices each year not only increases our skills base but also secures a strong pipeline of talent for our future. It’s clear that the value apprentices bring to our company is immense, as we continue to offer opportunities that foster their growth and development.”
The operator currently has 18 apprentices undertaking training across various engineering disciplines at multiple sites including Sunderland, Consett, Washington, Riverside, and Percy Main.
Current third-year Mechanical Electrical Engineering Apprentice Philip Hodgson says he has thrived on his apprenticeship thanks to Go North East’s support. Moving from the car industry, Philip says he has acquired skills that have set him up for a promising career in engineering.
“I can’t learn and take in information by sitting in a classroom,” Philip said, “so, for me, my apprenticeship with Go North East means that I’m learning in a practical environment, which is so much better! Learning a trade means that I’ll always be able to use these skills for the rest of my life, it’s invaluable.”
John Deary, Assistant Principal at Gateshead College, added: “We’ve been working in partnership with Go North East for 13 years now and we’re really proud of the apprenticeship programme which goes from strength to strength. It’s completely bespoke which means we’ve been able to adapt and evolve the apprenticeship to meet the organisation’s ongoing workforce requirements.”
Like Phillip, apprentices Oliver Jobson and Dan Lee said they share the positive experiences. Oliver says he looks forward to a lifelong career in engineering, thanks to the training and supportive environment, whilst Dan, transitioning from the education sector, says he appreciates the practical knowledge and insider expertise he has gained, which he believes surpasses traditional classroom learning.
Paul Clark Services
Paul Clark Services, which provides a range of road transport industry engineering support services, celebrated National Apprenticeship Week by highlighting the success of apprentices Ruben Pereira and Taylor Clark, in their first and third year respectively of their apprenticeships, saying that they make ‘a real difference.’
“At PCS, we appreciate the need to train skilled PCV technicians. Thanks to your hard work, we are enjoying watching you progress and are looking forward to seeing how far you will go. We will cheer and support you all the way! Here’s to shaping the future of the road transport industry together,” the company said to the pair.
Stagecoach
Stagecoach says that connecting young people to education whilst building new skills is an important pillar of its operations. Having also recently relaunched its Graduate Scheme for 2024, the operator offers driver and engineering apprenticeship programmes, and has earned recognition as an Apprenticeships Top 50 employer in 2023 and ranked 42nd in the national league tables identifying England’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers for 2023.
Technician and former apprentice Lee Jones said; “I started the Mech/Elec level 3 trade up apprenticeship in 2018 as one of the first three trade ups in South Wales. The apprenticeship has given me the knowledge and skills to not only understand how things work, but to understand why things stop working, problems and causes, and the ability to repair them.
“I now have this ability from the support I had received during the apprenticeship, from work colleagues, mentors, chargehands, workshop foreman and fleet engineers who have all taken me under their wing and made me into the technician I am today. I am looking forward to meeting future apprentices so I can help train and develop them in the way so many have helped me.”
Joanne Smith, People Director for Stagecoach, added: “Our people are fundamental to Stagecoach’s success, so developing our diverse, high-quality teams and nurturing the next generation of talent is integral. An apprenticeship with Stagecoach is an opportunity to learn the breadth of the transport sector with the guidance of industry leading mentors. Developing these invaluable opportunities are a vital step to help us serve local communities while ensuring our employees are equipped with the best tools to achieve.”
Arriva
Arriva highlighted the roles of some of its staff who started their careers as apprentices, starting with Greg Kinsey, who has risen to the role of Engineering Manager. He started as an apprentice 15 years ago, becoming a fully skilled mechanic before starting supervisory and management roles.
‘When I started my apprenticeship, I was quite young and naïve,” he said. “It brought me on as a person because I had a goal to work towards and I had to learn to manage my time inside of work and outside of work. I’m currently the Engineering Manager at Derby and Tamworth looking after both sites. I’m progressing and learning every day still as I’ve only been in the role two years, but the sky’s the limit and there’s lots of opportunities within the business.”
Tom Hubbard is a Workshop Supervisor who has worked for Arriva since 2009 at its Thurmaston, Wigston and Derby depots. Tom completed his apprenticeship, went on to do shift work, then was promoted to a supervisory role at Derby. “I had a good support system as an apprentice,” he said. ”I had a good mentor for the first 18 months and then I moved to Wigston. There was a young pack of mechanics I got on with them very well. It was quite a big garage as well you see so there was quite a lot of mechanics and a wide spread of skills that I managed to pick up. It built my respect for different people and built my emotional intelligence.’
UK Bus Engineering Director Phil Cummins started his journey in 1984 with a four-year apprenticeship. “The programme was very comprehensive with a structured format to ensure apprentices moved sections or workshops every two to three months to gain additional experience,” he said. “My learning didn’t stop with the apprenticeship as I then spent eight years at university on day release!
”Following my apprenticeship, I applied for chargehand positions at the age of 22. By 26 I was an Engineering Manager and held numerous management roles before becoming the Head of Engineering for MTL in Merseyside at 29. Following 20 years as a Director in Arriva, holding various Engineering and Operations Director roles, I am now the UK Bus Regions Engineering Director.”
Tyler Hall is a third year apprentice working in Arriva’s Croydon depot. He much of his first year learning about electrics from his mentor who was a Master Technician, before focusing more on mechanical engineering from his second year. Tyler said he considered both university and an apprenticeship, but decided he would prefer to go down the practical route: “I didn’t like the style of uni. I like being practical. Before I was quite a shy reserved person and I liked keeping to myself; now I ask questions and get involved. I joke around with my colleagues and it’s quite fun but I also get the work done,” he said.
Metroline
Metroline is home to one of the largest engineering apprenticeship schemes in London, with apprentices going on to become Master Technicians and in some cases Engineering Managers. Metroline says it hopes to replicate the success of its engineering apprenticeships in other areas of the business, such as IT and administration.
The company’s engineering apprenticeship is a five-year programme that leads to a Level 3 NVQ qualification in bus and coach engineering. Training and Development Manager Wayne Ellis looks after the scheme: “I oversee apprenticeships across the business,” he explained. “We’re expanding into various fields, not just engineering. My role ensures our apprenticeship programs run smoothly, supporting managers and apprentices throughout.
“Most colleges offer some bus and coach apprenticeships, but it’s a niche. We work with Total People and have recently finalised a partnership with Uxbridge College. Our apprentices and technicians face practical scenarios, online tests, and theoretical assessments. Joe David a former apprentice, clinched victory this year, showcasing our program’s success.”
Fifth year apprentice Ashley Foster says he appreciates the positive impact the scheme has had on him: “It’s a great experience. You meet a lot of people in different garages and work with all sorts of people,” he said. “It is great for developing people’s skills. For somebody that is considering an apprenticeship here, I’d say go for it. Once you’re open to learning, you’ll enjoy it.”
