Fancy a career on the buses? Travel giant Stagecoach in Peterborough is looking for 600 apprentices

Stagecoach, which currently employs about 550 driver and engineering apprentices in England, Scotland and Wales, wants to take on 600 extra apprentices this year.

It will mean that by the end of the year, Stagecoach, the largest coach and bus operator in the UK, will employ about 1,000 driver apprentices and around 200 engineering apprentices.

And for one Peterborough woman, joining the Stagecoach apprentice programme has proved to be life transforming.

Jemma Wood started at Stagecoach in 2011 as a mechanical apprentice in Peterborough with no knowledge of mechanics.

On qualifying, Jemma became a vehicle inspector in Cambridge depot and was later promoted to Deputy Engineering Manager at Fenstanton depot.

She said: "It was never in my original plan to become an engineer – as a child, I wasn’t really interested in mechanics or engineering.

"In 2011, I was working in a big supermarket and not very happy with how things were going, and on the bus home from work, I saw the apprenticeship programme advertised and thought I’d give it a go.

“I really enjoyed the programme and would always advise people to go through an apprenticeship course, you can get your qualification whilst earning a decent wage and learn on the job at the same time. I’d been to college and tried other things but an apprenticeship scheme was definitely the way for me.

“As an added bonus, I also met my husband whilst on the apprenticeship course, who works in a different part of Stagecoach, and in June we’ll be having our first child together so it definitely changed my life when I joined the apprenticeship programme.”

Martin Griffiths, Stagecoach's chief executive said: "Our people are fundamental to ensuring we keep communities across the country connected.

"We are proud to lead the bus and coach industry by investing in apprenticeships and creating 600 new learner opportunities in 2020.

"Apprenticeships bring huge value to our business in terms of talent and diversity.

"Whether you're a school leaver or somebody who wants a change of career, an apprenticeship programme is a great opportunity to earn while you learn and kickstart your career in the transport industry."

Stagecoach's 12-month programme provides a combination of practical training and off-the-job learning. It is delivered in partnership with training supplier Interserve Learning & Employment, complementing Stagecoach’s high standards around safety and customer service.

A total of 34 Stagecoach employees have gained their driver apprenticeship to date, with a further 100 expected to have completed the programme by the summer. They are the first in the country to have achieved the qualification.

Stagecoach's engineering apprenticeship programme has run for more than 15 years, with a number of employees having gone on to develop their careers with the business.

For more information on the bus driver apprenticeship programme go to: https://learning-employment.com/apprentices/transport-apprenticeships/stagecoach-bus-drive-apprenticeship/

Further details on engineering apprenticeships are available at: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/national/apprenticeship-schemes-with-stagecoach-bus