First Bus recently welcomed its latest cohort of engineering apprentices to its dedicated bus and coach training academy at Reaseheath College in Cheshire. The new wave of apprentices kick-started their induction with a team-building activity and talk from First Bus’ Director of Engineering Excellence Chris Remnant, followed by a tour of the training academy.
Of the 36 new apprentices joining the company’s programme this year, all of its English-based students will complete their apprenticeship at Reaseheath in Nantwich. Four Scottish students will complete their studies closer to home at GTG College in Glasgow.
First Bus opened its bespoke engineering apprentice academy in partnership with Reaseheath College in October 2021. The training facility offers a depot-style environment to help apprentices transition easily between college and the workplace, and the company believes that by working with replica equipment at college, apprentices can put the skills they learn straight into practice at the depot, helping to speed their development into its engineers of the future.
A key component of the apprenticeship, says First, is the inclusion of hybrid vehicles, providing apprentices with the skills to progress their careers whilst enabling it to future-proof its business. Director of Engineering Excellence at First Bus Chris Remnant said: “If you want to be an Apprentice Engineer within the bus industry, First Bus is the place to be. Our apprentices begin their careers in an environment where they can flourish and learn. The sky really is the limit and there are lots of exciting opportunities within First Bus. Some might choose to move into management and some will become specialists. The academy is industry-leading and the partnership we have with Reaseheath College is second to none.”
Principal and CEO at Reaseheath College Marcus Clinton added: “First Bus really works in the right way. They believe in partnership and that apprentices should have the very best experience and the very best leading-edge equipment. Together, we want to develop people so they’re industry-focused, career-ready and are going to thrive in the workplace.”
