Go North East has been named in the prestigious Centrica Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer list for its unique coach and bus engineering apprenticeship, developed in partnership with Gateshead College.
The list, which is compiled annually by the National Apprenticeship Service and recognises excellence in UK businesses that employ apprentices, was announced at the recent National Apprenticeship Awards.
Around 90% of Go North East’s engineering workforce started their careers as apprentices.
The 256-strong team currently has 31 apprentices studying at varying levels of the four-year programme, which includes bespoke training using state-of-the-art equipment at Gateshead College’s £5.5million Skills Academy for Automotive, Engineering, Manufacturing and Logistics based at Team Valley in Gateshead.
The popular scheme attracts over 500 applicants for the average intake of up to 10 new apprentices, each year and is widely renowned in the region and across the industry.
Managing Director at Go North East, Kevin Carr says: “This is the first time Go North East has appeared on the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list and we are honoured to be recognised alongside well-established regional brands such as Hays Travel and Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust.
“Our award-winning engineering apprenticeship was created to combat the skills gap in the bus and coach industry, and our region, and continues to go from strength-to-strength; giving young people the opportunity to succeed while acting as a valuable recruitment tool.”