This National Apprenticeship Week 2022, bus company Stagecoach has announced it is passing a major milestone.
The business, which operates as Stagecoach West in Gloucestershire, now has 1,000 apprentices on board – its highest number ever and 200 more than in 2021.
Apprentices include not just bus drivers, but roles in engineering, human resources and learning and development.
Former bus driver, Amber King, started in September 2021 at the Gloucester depot on Stagecoach’s ‘Trade-up’ scheme, which allows staff to take on an apprenticeship with its engineering team.
‘I feel like I have learnt so much already and I really do get to learn something new every day,’ said King.
‘I am now able to carry out servicing tasks and minor repairs without help and I’m really looking forward to gaining more knowledge and being able to confidently do more.’
Martin Griffiths, chief executive of Stagecoach, said: ‘Apprenticeships are critical to our future workforce and an area that Stagecoach has invested in for many years.’
In November 2021, Stagecoach was awarded silver membership with The 5% Club for the number of employees in ‘earn and learn’ positions. The club is a UK-wide group of employers working to create a shared prosperity across the UK by campaigning for greater skills training.
Stagecoach also recently committed to achieving 40 per cent females in leadership roles by 2026; 25 per cent of their workforce from ethnic minorities; and delivering more work placements for 16 to 24-year-olds.
For more information visit Stagecoach West#.
By Andrew Merrell
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