Stagecoach is using the 2018 National Apprenticeship Weekby inviting budding engineers to apply for a place on this year’s apprenticeship scheme.
The company is offering places on its Engineering Apprenticeship programme at each of its six Manchester depots in Middleton, Ashton, Hyde Road, Stockport, Sharston and Wigan. The course begins in September each year and applications are now being accepted up until the30 March 2018.
The Stagecoach Manchester fleet of over 750 buses carries over 109 million passengers every year and the apprentice programme trains the people who are responsible for keeping Manchester moving.
Stagecoach offers two different apprenticeships,’Mechelec’ – a combined mechanical and electrical qualification and a Body / Coachbuilder.
Each programme is four years long with the first three years spent learning on the job in the depot with an allocated mentor to offer help and guidance. It includes attending a specialist training facility in Glasgow on a block release basis.
The fourth year of the programme has been specially designed by Stagecoach to consolidate technical skills already obtained and is certificated by the Institute of the Motor Industry.
Upon completion of training, successful applicants will be awarded an Advanced Apprenticeship in Bus and Coach Engineering Maintenance and will have the opportunity to become a member of the Society of Operations Engineers.
Lucy Clarke, who is a current second year apprentice with Stagecoach Manchester, said: “Getting hands on in the depot suits my learning style so much more than studying in a classroom, no two days are the same so it keeps you on your toes. I feel a real sense of achievement when we solve a technical problem with the mechanics of the bus.”
Elisabeth Tasker, managing director at Stagecoach Manchester said: “We offer one of the best apprenticeship schemes in the bus industry and is a great way for people to develop state-of-the-art technical skills and to train for a secure future as an engineer. Many of our apprentices have gone on to managerial roles and play an integral role in the running of our company.
“Lucy is a fantastic success story and a great advocate for our apprenticeship programme and I have no doubt she has a successful career ahead of her with Stagecoach Manchester.”
Stagecoach considers all applications regardless of age. The only requirement is that applicants have GCSE grade A – C or 4 and above or standard Grade 1 – 3 / National 4 or 5 or equivalent in English Language, Maths and a Science.
Anyone wanting to apply for an apprenticeships at Stagecoach should visit the dedicated recruitment site.
(www.stagecoachbus.com/careers)
The closing date is 30 March 2018.
