February 10 2025
A record number of apprentices graduated in the bus and coach industry in 2024, with 605 drivers and 91 engineers successfully completing their training. Of those qualifying, a third were aged under 25.
Graduations were up by 19% on the previous year. The figure brought the total number of apprentices to graduate in the bus industry to 2,202 over five years – comprising 1,780 drivers and 422 engineers.
While a majority of apprentices were trained in London, there were smaller numbers in all parts of England – stretching from Torbay to Tyneside and from West Sussex to Westmorland, according to figures compiled by the Confederation of Passenger Transport to mark National Apprenticeship Week.
The Government recently overhauled funding for apprenticeships by announcing that a new Growth and Skills Levy will replace the Apprenticeship Levy. The new scheme allows for funding for training of less than 12 months and a new body, Skills England, will assess priority skills of the future.
Keith McNally, Operations Director at the Confederation of Passenger Transport, said: “Apprenticeships are a terrific way of bringing new talent into the bus and coach industry. The opportunity to 'earn while you learn' has broad appeal and opens up careers to young people and career switchers alike.
“In common with many other industries, bus and coach operators have struggled with the bureaucracy and rigidity of the Apprenticeships Levy. So we welcome steps taken by the Government to overhaul the levy and to open up funding for shorter courses.”
Case Studies
Below are some case studies of apprentices who have kickstarted their careers in the industry:
Zoe Sparks, Driver Apprentice, Halifax Depot, First Bus North Yorkshire
Zoe Sparks is driver apprentice at the Halifax depot, which is part of the First Bus North Yorkshire Operation. Zoe is one of the first apprentices to successfully pass through the new apprenticeship and to gain her qualification in one year.
She has shown determination and a great attitude throughout her time on the apprenticeship, always putting our customers first and making safety a priority.
Prior to joining First Bus, Zoe was working in Finance and decided to make a change in her career. She was really attracted to First Bus due to the support you got alongside the qualification.
She said: “I've really enjoyed all aspects of the apprenticeship, the variety and all the things I am learning. My career in bus has been really rewarding so far and the support from other more experienced bus drivers has been invaluable.
“I am looking forward to helping people get to where they need to go and connecting people with the local community through the bus. I love being a bus driver and everything the job brings.”
Zack Cross, Engineering Apprentice, Hedingham and Chambers Depot, Go East Anglia
Zack is an Engineering Apprentice studying for Bus & Coach (NVQ Level 3) and is based at the Hedingham and Chambers depot in Clacton, Essex.
For Zack, embarking on an apprenticeship was preferable to going to university as there was more emphasis on practical learning, as well as the opportunity to earn a wage at the same time.
As well as the free bus travel (which always comes in handy!), Zack's favourite things about working for Go East Anglia are the positive atmosphere and the support network created by more experienced colleagues.
Zack welcomes the challenges that come his way so that he can push himself and develop further by asking questions and getting things done to achieve results.
In future, Zack wants to continue on his path of development and aims to be an Engineering Manager.
Chloe Moncrieff-Jury, Engineering Apprentice, Camborne Depot, First Bus South
Chloe Moncrieff-Jury has successfully passed her stores apprenticeship at the Camborne Depot in First Bus South. Chloe has been with the business for over three years, following her father’s footsteps into the business. Her dad, Ian Moncrieff-Jury, is Operations Manager in Cornwall.
Chloe started initially joined the cleaning team before stepping up into her new role in the stores team.
Chloe said: "I wanted to do an apprenticeship so that I could get a qualification while I worked and earned a living. I have learned a lot during my apprenticeship, and I feel that it has helped me get my foot in the door to the industry that I want to work in.
“Initially, I was dubious about starting my course due to the mixture of education and workplace learning, but I quickly came to realise that there was nothing to worry about! I was very fortunate to have a wonderful skills coach and a great team of engineers around me.
“I hope to use the knowledge and transferable skills that I have gained through my apprenticeship, to support my goals of a future engineering career."