To mark National Apprenticeship Week (3-7 February), Stagecoach has pledged to recruit 600 extra apprentices in 2020 with an aim to have 1,200 apprentices employed by the end of the year.
Currently, the operator has 550 driver and engineering apprentices across the UK. By the end of the year, it hopes to have 1,000 driver apprentices and 200 engineering apprentices.
Stagecoach Chief Executive Martin Griffiths says: “Our people are fundamental to ensuring we keep communities across the country connected.
“Apprenticeships bring huge value to our business in terms of talent and diversity. It’s a great opportunity to earn while you learn and kickstart your career in the transport industry.”
The programme runs for 12 months and is a combination of practical training and off-the-job learning. So far, 34 Stagecoach employees have gained their driver apprenticeship, the first in the country, and 100 more are expected to finish the programme by summer.
