First Bus has taken on its latest wave of apprentices at its purpose-built training academy at Reaseheath College in Cheshire.
The 52 students – all from England – took part in team-building activities and skills tests as part of their induction week at what First says is the UK’s first dedicated bus and coach engineering facility. Six Scottish apprentices will complete training at GTG College in Glasgow, while two Welsh students are taking part in a programme at Cardiff and Vale College.
Training for work on zero-emissions vehicles will be a key component of the training as the operator seeks to invest in the future, says Gary West, Engineering Director for First Bus Scotland.
“It’s really important that First Bus invests in its apprentices, especially because we have a natural attrition of our older members of staff leaving,” he says. “We need the younger generation to come through and grasp hold of all the modern technology we’ve got. They are the future of the business – the future Engineering Directors, Engineering Managers and Managing Directors. They are the backbone of the business.”
Marcus Clinton, Reaseheath College’s Principal and CEO, adds: “We are delighted to welcome the latest First Bus cohort to Reaseheath’s dedicated Engineering Apprenticeship Academy. Working in partnership with forward-thinking employers such as First Bus is the best way to support apprenticeships and employers.
“Through collaboration, we ensure that we co-design the best programme to deliver relevant skills and work-ready attributes, while exposing our apprentices to unrivalled equipment and industry standards. Our apprentices thrive on these programmes, and it is a pleasure to see such a strong progression to work.”
