Metroline started delivering its first services outside of London when it secured four Bee Network franchises from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority which all began at the start of this year.
Metroline has now partnered with Realise, one of the UK’s leading bus driving training providers, to help attract and train the latest recruits through apprenticeships.
The new drivers will be based out of two depots in Manchester – Tameside and Hyde Road – with the first apprentices beginning their 13-month training programme in the coming weeks and being out on the road as a fully-fledged driver just two months after starting the apprenticeship.
Anyone holding a standard UK driving licence for over 12 months is eligible to apply for the apprenticeship by visiting www.metroline.co.uk/join-manchester and it is expected new training cohorts will be launched monthly.
Patrick Sibley, Regional CEO of Metroline, said: “Starting to deliver our Bee Network franchise contracts has been an extremely proud moment for everyone at Metroline and we have been delighted with the way it has started.
“We know we are playing a crucial role in keeping the people of Manchester moving so it is vital that we not only create a regular flow of new talent but also provide them with further training opportunities via apprenticeships to ensure we are helping people take ongoing steps to a long-term career in the industry.
“It is extremely important that every member of our team is able to deliver the quality of service and operational excellence which we are renowned for and that’s why securing the right training partner is crucial.
“Realise has a reputation for outstanding training delivery across a number of sectors, including bus driving, and it has a talented and experienced team which has a huge amount of knowledge around the industry.
“We are excited about the launch of the apprenticeship programme and look forward to creating many talented new bus drivers.”
The Level 2 apprenticeship will see learners obtain their Passenger Carrying Vehicle Licence, as well as learning the other skills associated with being a professional bus driver, including safety, customer service and route familiarisation.
Realise also co-delivers similar apprenticeships for other major UK bus operators including First Bus, Go North West and Stagecoach, while its innovative Route to Success programme has been adopted by a number of combined authorities to help create new bus drivers for their local areas.
Kairon Flowers, Director of Transport at Realise, said: “The Bee Network franchise has been a significant development for the bus industry in this country and we excited to be playing our part alongside Metroline in developing skilled and talented drivers.
“We have extensive experience of delivering bus driving training across the country, both through apprenticeships and adult skills. All our trainers have past experience in the industry and know the value of bus services to local communities.
“A modern day bus driver can forge an excellent career and the apprenticeship can not only provide a route to a new career but can also leave an individual well placed to earn a promotion in the future.”
Metroline serves London and Greater Manchester with a combined fleet of over 1,700 buses. In Manchester, Metroline operates bus services for the Hyde Road, Sharston, Ashton (Tameside) and Wythenshawe depots, comprising a total of 232 different services and transporting an average of 1 million passengers a week.
Working closely with partners such as Transport for Greater Manchester, Metroline has established a reputation for delivering a reliable service for customers and the community, employing over 1,400 people in Manchester alone. The company has a strong focus on safety, regularly running initiatives to ensure that journeys are safe for both customers and other road users.