Transdev UK is launching a three-year engineering apprenticeship programme

Transdev in Yorkshire and Lancashire begins recruitment drive for three-year apprenticeships - with top industry qualifications and above average earnings awaiting those who succeed.

Successful candidates can look forward to gaining a top engineering qualification, with above average annual earnings of around £40,000 plus overtime - while everyone who completes the programme will also gain a full PCV driving licence.

And as Transdev and the wider bus industry continue their transition to zero-emission electric buses, the operator says there's never been a better time than now to apply - with demand for time-served engineers at an all-time high.

Transdev is to host assessment events for candidates looking to secure an engineering apprenticeship on Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 August, so the bus company is urging those wanting to apply to do so quickly, with details online at: transdevbus.co.uk/work-for-us/.

Harrogate-based Engineering Apprentice Owen Baxter

21 year old Owen Baxter beat over 50 applicants in August 2021 for the coveted opportunity to join Transdev's The Harrogate Bus Company as a Mechelec Engineering Apprentice. Three years on, he's about to become a skilled engineer with an industry-recognised Level 3 qualification.

The term 'Mechelec' reflects the combination of mechanical and electrical skills required for the role, along with a forensic ability to find and fix complex faults to keep buses where they belong - on the road serving customers.

In Spring 2021, having completed three years of study at Newcastle College to secure his Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Engineering, Owen spotted an online advertisement for a coveted apprenticeship at The Harrogate Bus Company. In that moment, he knew it was his chance to make his career dreams come true.

The joy of it for me is in fault finding - the ability to look at something that doesn't work, find the cause and fix it. That feeling of achievement when you return a bus to the road is what first drove me to build my career as an engineer here in Harrogate.

Owen Baxter

Owen's role is about much more than simple day-to-day repairs. A Mechelec technician has to work with a varied bus fleet from different manufacturers, with inspections, diagnoses, repairs and testing of electronic and mechanical systems all part of the job - while mastering everything from replacing a single part to solving complex faults using the latest computerised diagnostic equipment.

Meanwhile over the Pennines in Blackburn, Lancashire, Matthew Glass is also about to qualify as a skilled Level 3 engineer. Matthew, from nearby Darwen, grew up in a Lancashire engineering family - his dad was a car mechanic.

Matthew Glass, Level 3 engineer in Blackburn, Lancashire

As a student, Matthew initially set aside his passion for the workshop in favour of a college course in accountancy, but soon realised it wasn't for him. An interim job at a bookmakers at least made use of his head for figures, but at heart, Matthew still wanted to become an engineer.

Scouring online recruitment sites for the right opportunity led Matthew to an advertisement for an apprenticeship with Transdev subsidiary The Blackburn Bus Company, and in that moment, Matthew knew this was the chance he'd been searching for, and joined the team at Intack depot in Blackburn in September 2021.

Initially, I was unsure about what career path to pursue. I took a job in a betting shop while exploring different options, but I knew I wanted to do an apprenticeship because it offered hands-on learning while earning a wage.

I also had a strong interest in becoming a mechanic, partly because my dad was a mechanic and I've always enjoyed fixing things. Although I hadn't heard of Transdev before, I did some research and found out how large the company is. This appealed to me because I knew it would provide ample training opportunities and potential for career progression.

When I looked under a bus for the first time, it was a bit overwhelming, and the responsibility of ensuring that a vehicle is safe for passengers was daunting.

Matthew Glass

Three years later, he's proud of the skills he's gained, and confident in his own ability to complete most tasks in the workshop.

My colleagues have been incredibly supportive throughout my apprenticeship. Although I attended college in one-week blocks every six weeks, most of my learning happened on the job. My colleagues have always taken the time to explain how things work and answer any questions I had. Even now, if I'm unsure about something, they are more than happy to help.

Working in the engineering industry teaches you so many valuable skills, particularly problem-solving and understanding how things work. These skills are transferable to many different situations in life.

It's an interesting job where no two days are the same, and you're constantly learning and improving - and there are always opportunities for further training, including courses on electric vehicles. My advice to those considering an apprenticeship is … go for it!

Matthew Glass

All successful candidates will join on a three-year programme combining in-workshop learning with college study, and at the end of the scheme they will become fully-qualified PCV engineers.

Full details of Transdev's 2024 apprenticeship scheme and how to apply are available online at: transdevbus.co.uk/work-for-us/.