We’re First Bus, part of FirstGroup

Join us as an apprentice and watch your career take off.

 

Our apprentices are our future – the engineers and leaders we need to help us transform the bus industry and make travel by bus the first choice for the future.

 

Our apprenticeship programmes are now open, and we’re looking for keen and ambitious people to join us in our August 2024 intake.

It’s an opportunity to get on board at a time of real change in First Bus as we transit to a fully electric bus fleet by 2035. It’s an ambitious target which means significant investment in our depots – and in our people. There’s never been a better time to become an apprentice at First bus.

Apprenticeship Programmes we have on offer:

Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Apprentice

Level 3 England, Scotland, and Wales

Our engineers are at the heart of the action and help to keep our buses on the roads and serving our millions of customers every day. This apprenticeship will help you to become a well-rounded engineer who will be able to work on both diesel and electric buses. 

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Stores Apprentice                                                                     

Level 2 England and Wales

Our Trade Supplier Engineering Apprenticeship (Stores) is a 1-year programme, combining hands-on learning your skill with study for a nationally recognised qualification enabling you to become a successful supply and stores operator. After this apprenticeship you could also continue your careers by joining our Mechanical/Electrical apprenticeship to develop your career in engineering. 

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Bus Driver Apprentice                                                           

Level 2 England

Yes, you can drive a bus – our apprenticeship will give you all the skills you need to become a qualified bus driver and join one of our amazing depots helping our passengers to get to where they want to go.

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Find out all about our apprenticeships, what’s involved, what you need to get in, details on the training and locations, and what our benefits and salary packages are for apprentices in our apprentice eBook guide.  Click below to download the eBook or apply now.

Download eBook

Apply now

 

 

 

 

Find out what happens during your induction week as an Engineering Apprentice at Reaseheath College

Frequently Asked Questions

First Bus is a real living wage employer: Engineering Apprentices are paid weekly - your hourly rate will increase to £10 per hour effective 1st October 2024, and £12 per hour effective 1st April 2025. Please see individual role advertisements for local rates to Bus Driver Apprentices.

An apprenticeship is a great way to learn a new skill, gain valuable experience and earn a wage. Alongside on-the-job training, apprentices spend at least 20% of their working hours completing learning with a college which leads to a nationally recognised qualification.  

An apprenticeship includes:  

  • Paid employment  
  • Hand-on practical experience 
  • At least 20% off-the-job training with a college/ training provider 
  • Formal assessment which successful completion leads to a recognised qualification 

To find out more about apprenticeships, click here 

We have 3 apprenticeships available across First Bus: 

  • Level 2 Trade Supply (1 year in duration) to find out more, click here. Trade Supplier Level 2 
  • Level 3 Mechanical/ Electrical (3 years in duration) to find out more, click here. Bus and Coach Engineering Technician Level 3 in England/Wales or Bus and Coach Engineering and Maintenance in Scotland 
  • Level 2 Passenger Transport Driver, Bus Coach and Tram (1-year in duration) to find out more, click here 

  • Evidence of predicted or achieved Level 4 (or equivalent) at Maths and English GCSE or Functional Skills Level 2  
  • You will need to have lived in the UK/EEA for at least 3 years prior to starting in August 2024 
  • Good communication, problem solving and listening skills 
  • A passion for engineering or for driving buses 
  • Right to work in the UK for the duration of your apprenticeship

  • Level 2 Trade Supply and Bus Driver Apprenticeship is 1 year in length, with End Point Assessment being another 3-6 months
  • Level 3 Mechanical/ Electrical is 3 years in length, with End Point Assessment being another 3- 6 months

For our Engineering Apprenticeships we only have one application window and one start date each calendar year. The application window opens on 29th April 2024 and closes on 17th May 2024. The start date will be 27th August 2024.   


For our Driver apprenticeships we are hiring regularly, check out our careers site for vacancies in your area.

First Bus will fund your apprenticeship from our apprenticeship levy pot, so you as an individual will pick up none of the costs. 

For Engineering Apprentices we work with Reaseheath College in Nantwich, Cheshire for England and Wales and GTG for Scotland. 

For Driver apprentices we work with Realise Learning across our sites in the UK.

Our apprentices develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours to fulfil their role and many continue onto senior positions within the business. The apprenticeship is just the start as you can grow your career and get a recognised qualification within the dynamic transport industry.