The Go-Ahead Group will create two new engineering academies in Greater Manchester and London as part of a multi-million-pound investment in that part of its business.
They will support the group’s apprenticeship programme and also host training for current engineers. Go-Ahead says that the overall spend will create a clearer pathway for emerging talent, increase the skills and knowledge of engineering teams, and better prepare them for “an accelerated rollout of zero-emission technology.”
Once complete, the investment will deliver what the business claims will be an industry-leading apprenticeship programme. When coupled to ongoing training, that will “set bold new standards in engineering by strengthening the skills of Go-Ahead’s talented engineers by investing in future colleagues.”
The group’s engineers maintain over 6,000 coaches and buses across the UK and Ireland, including the UK’s largest zero-emission fleet.
Apprentices will first learn about complex mechanical and electrical systems within a classroom environment and real-life settings before joining Go-Ahead operating companies to learn on the job while gaining a qualification and earning a wage.
The apprenticeship programme will be delivered in partnership with established industry training provider S&B Automotive Academy. It will include placements with some of Go-Ahead’s manufacturing partners. Dedicated mentors will support recruits throughout the course.
Speaking about the plans, Go-Ahead Bus CEO Matt Carney says: “Engineers are absolutely crucial to our industry. Our investment will help to create a clear career pathway for anyone interested in becoming an engineer.
“This includes women, who are underrepresented in engineering, and I am very pleased to see that 20% of our first apprentices are women. This is a great start towards gender diversity.
“Our engineering academies will also develop our existing team of engineers, upskilling them so that they are set up for success, and provide leadership training to our emerging leaders.
“This means that as we grow and evolve, we will continue to have the best engineers in the industry, which is great for our teams and for our customers.”
