The first 20 graduates of Carousel Buses’ VIP Bus Driver Academy have completed their training and are in service after the launch of the programme in January.
The driving school at the operator’s depot in High Wycombe allows new recruits to be trained on-site for the first time rather than as previously at fellow Go-Ahead subsidiary Oxford Bus Company in Oxford.
The new academy is thus saving would-be drivers a round-trip of 90 minutes and expanding recruitment opportunities, says Carousel Buses.
Jose Rubio Reyes, Operations Manager at Carousel Buses, says: “Seeing our first PCV drivers come through the VIP Academy has been nothing short of incredible.
“It’s one thing to create a programme you hope will change people’s careers; it’s another to actually watch it happen.
“The confidence, skills and passion that have grown in such a short time is exactly why we built the academy. What’s even more exciting is that we’re already on our third cohort, and the academy has now brought more than 20 newly qualified PCV licence-holders into the business.”
The VIP Academy is designed to support expansion of Carousel Buses’ network across Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.
“As we build up the number of drivers in our business, we’ll be able to grow even further and keep improving the services we provide across the area,” adds Mr Rubio Reyes.
“The VIP Academy is a huge part of Carousel’s growth story. As the business expands, we need a steady pipeline of skilled, confident drivers, and the academy gives us exactly that.
“Instead of relying on the wider market, we’re now developing our own talent, training people locally, and getting them ready to hit the ground running.
“It means we can grow at the pace we need to support our expanded network and keep improving the service we offer to the community.”
Carousel Buses offers a £4,000 joining bonus and immediate start dates for those progressing through the Academy.
One of the new drivers, Gabriel Ki Kwan, says: “The training is world-class. I received excellent individual attention, allowing the instructor to fully focus on my driving and ensure I was completely prepared for the job.
“I would highly recommend the training if you want to become a bus driver.”
