As the only public transport operator registered as a Government-approved training provider delivering apprenticeships across both bus and rail, Imperial Engineering customer, Go-Ahead Group, has set a target of recruiting over 1,000 new apprentices, across its transport network by the end of 2019. Almost 500 apprentices, aged between 18-65, are currently training with Go-Ahead and 20% of the positions have been filled by women.
As part of its apprenticeship programme, Go-Ahead London’s new academy in Camberwell, South London, will be used by the company to deliver on-site training for the next generation of bus drivers in the capital. This will cover both academic and technical training with two certified driving examiners on-site. In addition to driving, apprenticeships are also available across customer service, business administration, mechanical and engineering and technical roles with training taking between 12 and 36 months.
David Brown, Go-Ahead Group Chief Executive, said: “We are excited to be leading the industry in the development of apprenticeships, across bus and rail. Having apprenticeships for bus drivers is helping us develop the role to become more customer focused and the participants reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. Go-Ahead is always on the lookout for talented people looking to build an exciting career with a growing international transport business.”
Mike Brown, London’s Transport Commissioner, said: “Go-Ahead’s commitment to double the number of apprentices is great news for our industry. Apprenticeship schemes are so important in opening up the opportunities for people to discover transport as a career and ensure our workforce reflects the city we live in. Go-Ahead’s investment in a state-of-the-art training facility for bus drivers, who perform such an important role in helping move people around London, will help attract people from all communities.”
John Dwight, Imperial Engineering’s Sales Director, commented:
“It’s really important that the bus and coach industry presents itself as an attractive career opportunity for those in both technical and service related roles, including drivers, not least because we are seeing a resurgence in public transport. Advances in technology mean that the multi-skilled engineer will be in great demand in the years ahead and already, bus companies want engineers to possess a combination of skills. With the amount of electronics on vehicles advancing rapidly, individuals who are technically competent in diagnostics and programming components will be in high demand.”
For more information about apprenticeships with Go-Ahead, click HERE
