Transdev launches new bus driver apprenticeship
Local bus company Transdev has announced the launch of a new flagship bus driver apprenticeship scheme.
The new Level 2 Bus Driver Apprenticeship programme is seeing an incredible array of people from different backgrounds enter the workforce via the apprenticeship route, Transdev bosses have said.
Leading provider Realise reports that out of the 1,200 learners who have already completed their bus driver apprenticeship programme, only 19.3% were under the age of 25 – demonstrating that these qualifications are open for anyone, of any age.
Transdev’s new Level 2 Bus Driver Apprenticeship will be delivered in partnership with Realise over 326 hours of training and eight months of learning – each individual course is valued at £8000, which will be funded in full and directly through Transdev’s Apprenticeship Levy.
Apprentices will no longer be examined on Functional Skills as a mandatory, standalone component of the course. Instead, Transdev and Realise will naturally embed Functional Skills throughout the learning experience, improving the maths and English skills of future bus drivers.
Training Manager Dale French said: “Our new apprenticeship scheme is hugely significant for us; not only will it enhance our current training experience for colleagues but also open the door to a whole new cohort of local talent.
“By investing in this new programme, Transdev are also investing in the communities we serve across the North of England. With more well-trained driver colleagues, we are confident that this new scheme will enhance the quality of the service we provide, leading to more reliable buses for our customers for years to come.”
Kairon Flowers, Director of Transport at Realise, celebrated the partnership: “We are excited to partner with Transdev and to play our part in ensuring the bus provider has well-trained, skilled drivers to serve Yorkshire and Lancashire.
“Buses are of critical importance to cities, towns and villages, so safeguarding services by developing skills is vital. For individuals, apprenticeships can not only provide a route to a stable, fulfilling new career but can also leave them well placed to earn a promotion in the future.”
The first class are already enrolled and start their Level 2 Bus Driver Apprenticeships in January 2026.
Applications for Transdev’s bus driver apprenticeship programme are open online. More information on the course and how to apply can be found online at: transdevbus.co.uk/careers-pages/work-with-us.