Stagecoach is shining the spotlight on its apprenticeship programmes amid what it warns are intensifying labour pressures for the coach and bus industry.
The operator’s apprenticeship offering, which spans driving, engineering, customer service and management, is designed to develop a new talent pipeline and draw younger and more diverse workers into the industry.
Two apprentices are being hailed as success stories: Charlie Willis, who joined Stagecoach at age 17 as a chassis washer, and Nancy Halpin (pictured), who joined as a bus driver after leaving university.
Since joining, Charlie has become an award-winning apprentice, having joined the company’s Trade-Up scheme and transitioning into a full mechanical apprenticeship. Nancy meanwhile joined Stagecoach after being discouraged from a career in engineering at school. The Stagecoach Trade-Up programme allowed her to retrain and join the company as an engineering apprentice.
Senior leaders are using the spotlight to underline the importance of skills development in helping people unlock meaningful careers while securing the long-term future of the UK’s transport network. The focus comes as Stagecoach draws attention to 105,000 driver vacancies across Europe, and that the average driver age is now over 50. It says the sector faces a “significant wave of retirements” which by the end of the decade could leave more than 25% of roles unfilled.
Stagecoach’s Chief People Officer, Sarah Blake, says investment in apprenticeships is central to securing the future of the business. “Stagecoach’s investment in its people is a long-term vision,” she says. “By nurturing talent from the ground up, we’re ensuring our fleet is maintained by expert hands, our services are delivered by dedicated professionals, and our future is shaped by leaders who grew from within.
“These apprenticeships are not simply jobs; they’re transformative pathways that empower individuals, strengthen local communities and secure the future of public transport for everyone. Each apprentice’s journey is a vital part of building a better, more connected world, one trip at a time.
“We want to provide a supportive environment where people can build lasting careers, because behind every bus, there’s a story of someone building their future.”
Comments Nancy: “It’s easy to feel like a spare part as an apprentice, but my ongoing training means I can find myself teaching the more experienced engineers a thing or two. My confidence is building everyday, and I can definitely see myself as engineering director a few years down the line. The sky’s the limit in terms of progression.
“My advice to anyone thinking about it is to just go for it. You learn so much more on the job than you ever could in a classroom, and you’re earning while you do it. It’s the best decision I ever made.”
