The Go-Ahead Group has set an ambitious target to hire 1,020 bus and rail apprentices during 2023.

The huge intake will be made up of 700 apprentice bus drivers at Go-Ahead London, which operate a quarter of the capital’s buses for Transport for London. The engineering and train drivers intake will see 220 apprentices recruited by Govia Thameslink Railway, which operates Thameslink, Southern, Great Northern and Gatwick Express rail. Head office roles at Go-Ahead’s regional bus companies in London and Newcastle will also see an intake of 100 apprentices.

Named as one of the country’s top 20 apprentice employers in ranking created by the Department for Education which is great news for Go-Ahead as the top provider of apprentices for the transport industry.

The training programme began back in 2018 and since then the bus company has delivered a vast array of aspects in terms of training to the apprentices alongside numeracy and literacy training using equivalent qualifications to GCSE level English and Maths, the programme also provides support for those with neurodiverse conditions.

Govia Thameslink Railway has 466 apprentices training with them and as the UK’s largest rail network can offer experience across a number of areas including engineering, driving and customer service positions. During 2022, 184 new recruits started training 30% of which were aged over 40. Go-Ahead also worked with the rail operator to create a tailored graduate scheme. 

Scott Maynard, Go-Ahead Group’s HR Director, said: “We’re proud to be training a new generation of drivers and engineers at Go-Ahead. Apprentices are fundamental to the future of our business and of our industry as a whole – and providing on-the-job learning has helped us to attract people from all walks of life.

“We want our workforce and the transport industry to reflect the communities we serve. Our apprenticeships programme is forever expanding, and the vast majority of our apprentices continue their careers with Go-Ahead after their training is completed”.