Transdev’s newly appointed Engineering Manager has made the journey from apprentice to leader as the operator drives ahead with its latest recruitment campaign
Having started his career journey on the buses as an engineering apprentice 21 years ago, Sam Cockburn is now taking the lead as Engineering Manager at North of England operator Transdev’s Harrogate HQ.
Sam, 38, first walked through the gates of the firm’s Starbeck depot in Harrogate in July 2001 as one of its first two apprentices, and says he has never looked back. Sam has told his story as part of National Apprenticeship Week to encourage others to choose a career on the buses – and as Transdev pushes ahead with its 2022 recruitment campaign with the message ‘I did it, so can you.’
Sam said: “I would say to anyone that my experience shows how it’s possible to build a great career – I started as an apprentice and now I’m Engineering Manager, responsible for providing safe and reliable buses for the community in my home town.
“I’d contacted 27 potential employers without success when my mum, who was an accountant with the company at that time, suggested to them that they could offer apprenticeships. Thankfully they liked the idea, and in July 2001 I became one of their first two apprentice engineers.”
Sam spent his early years learning every aspect of the job, while studying away from home in four-week blocks at Tile Hill College in Coventry. Completing his course as the highest performing student, he qualified for the BTEC National Certificate in Engineering, preparing him for the next step up the career ladder back in Harrogate.
Sam continued: “Back in Harrogate I worked my way up to become a Shift Fitter, then MOT Inspector, responsible for preparing buses for safety tests. In October 2019 I moved to a coach operator near York to widen my experience and see the world of engineering from a different perspective, but when the pandemic hit the coaching industry in 2020, I came back to Transdev here in Harrogate as Acting Supervisor, while still working as a fitter to support the team.”
Last month, Sam completed his Transport Manager CPC qualification, adding to his extensive experience and skills and making him an ideal candidate to take on the role as head of Harrogate’s engineering team.
Transdev Operations Director Vitto Pizzuti commented: “Throughout his career so far with us, Sam has shown the dedication and commitment to become a skilled leader. His eye for detail and focus on safety has taken him from apprentice to manager, and he has a bright future to look forward to in the years ahead. As Sam’s story shows, we offer an amazing career to people who share Sam’s determination to succeed. As we now say to everyone thinking of joining us: Sam did it, so can you.”
