Apprenticeship starts have continued to grow in the coach and bus industry, showing how it can leverage the approach to build a skilled workforce and support ambitions to reduce the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) has said.
As National Apprenticeship Week starts on 9 February, the trade body has cited figures that show how the mechanism is growing in importance for coach and bus.
In the academic year ending July 2025, apprenticeship starts in the sector were 1,098, up by 9.4% from the 1,003 in the previous year. Apprenticeship graduations rose to 767, up by 10% from 696.
The Confederation believes that apprenticeships are “a practical and proven route” to help in reversing the trend of increasing NEET numbers via structured training, a recognised qualification, and a reliable wage from the start.
Coach and bus operations are supported under the ‘earn while you learn’ nature of an apprenticeship, it adds. Many employees have reported wider benefits from the approach, such as improvements in driving standards and lower accident numbers.
CPT notes how apprenticeships can also open the door to supervisory and managerial positions later in a career. It says that there is “something for everyone” in the coach and bus apprenticeship field.
Adds Operations Director Keith McNally: “Apprenticeships provide an essential route into a sector that keeps communities connected.
“They offer life-changing careers, nationally recognised qualifications, and the chance to earn while learning. With nearly one million young people currently not in education, employment or training, apprenticeships can play a key role in helping people into rewarding work.
“At a time when our industry sees a shortage of drivers, apprenticeships are a great way to develop the future generation of drivers that can keep passengers on the move.”
