Bus Driver Apprentice - Level 2 Passenger Transport – Find an apprenticeship

Summary

We are assembling an elite team of bus drivers! As a key player in connecting people and places, you'll become an integral part of the local community, touching the lives of thousands with your exceptional driving skills. This enhanced training programme provides you with the knowledge skills & behaviours required to be a professional bus driver.

Wage

£24,522.16 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Weekend enhancements. Salary increase after 1 years' service.

Training course

Passenger transport driver - bus and coach or tram (level 2)

Hours

Shift work. Earl, middle and late duties.

38 hours a week

Start date

Friday 31 October 2025

Duration

1 year 1 month

Positions available

100

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

Navigate your mighty bus through the bustling streets of Greater Manchester, ensuring smooth and safe transportation for our diverse range of passengers
Act as the friendly face of our business, delivering first-class customer service with a can-do attitude, putting a smile on every passenger's face
Embrace your role as a community ambassador, fostering positive connections and making a difference in the lives of our passengers
Execute precise manoeuvres and pilot challenging routes with the finesse of a seasoned veteran
Collaborate with fellow elite drivers and support staff, working as a tight-knit unit to exceed performance targets
Uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and camaraderie, reflecting the spirit of an elite driver
Attend a series of workshops delivered by industry experts

Where you’ll work

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

Weston Street, Bolton, BL3 2AW
Three Sisters Recreation Area, Ashton-In-Makerfield, Wigan, WN4 8DD

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

REALISE LEARNING AND EMPLOYMENT LIMITED

Your training course

Passenger transport driver - bus and coach or tram (level 2)

Equal to GCSE

Course contents

Apply safe working practices and comply with current passenger carrying vehicles (PCV) driving regulations and legislation.
Comply with current company policies and procedures.
Locate and access the vehicle.
Conduct pre-service route planning.
Pre-service vehicle checks, tests and documentation.
Check and maintain cleanliness of the vehicle.
Drive the vehicle applying defensive driving techniques, with consideration of efficiency for sustainability, environmental and economic factors.
Follow procedures to maximise punctuality of service.
Communicate with customers using automated, verbal or other methods regarding delays and interruptions to the service and timing.
Uses destination displays and signage.
Communicates with colleagues, internal and external stakeholders to supports the general operation of services.
Provide assistance for customers to safely embark and disembark the vehicle
Manage customer queries and complaints.
Make scheduled stops on route.
Monitor and respond to instrumentation, signals and instructions.
Identify and diagnose vehicle faults and failures to rectify issues within limits of own authority.
Prepare and submit documents, reports and logs containing performance, incident and technical information.
Changeover the vehicle or take a vehicle out of service.
Pass the responsibility to the control of others.
Record task information (text or data) - paper based or electronic.
Identify, carry out and record industry related continuing professional development (CPD) activities.
Drive a bus or coach
Drive a tram.
Apply safe working practices and comply with current passenger carrying vehicles (PCV) driving regulations and legislation.
Comply with current company policies and procedures.
Locate and access the vehicle.
Conduct pre-service route planning.
Pre-service vehicle checks, tests and documentation.
Check and maintain cleanliness of the vehicle.
Drive the vehicle applying defensive driving techniques, with consideration of efficiency for sustainability, environmental and economic factors.
Follow procedures to maximise punctuality of service.
Communicate with customers using automated, verbal or other methods regarding delays and interruptions to the service and timing.
Uses destination displays and signage.
Communicates with colleagues, internal and external stakeholders to supports the general operation of services.
Provide assistance for customers to safely embark and disembark the vehicle
Manage customer queries and complaints.
Make scheduled stops on route.
Monitor and respond to instrumentation, signals and instructions.
Identify and diagnose vehicle faults and failures to rectify issues within limits of own authority.
Prepare and submit documents, reports and logs containing performance, incident and technical information.
Changeover the vehicle or take a vehicle out of service.
Pass the responsibility to the control of others.
Record task information (text or data) - paper based or electronic.
Identify, carry out and record industry related continuing professional development (CPD) activities.

Your training plan

Training schedule has yet to be agreed. Details will be made available at a later date.

Requirements

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Customer care skills
Logical
Team working
Non judgemental
Patience

About this company

Go North West was created on 2nd June 2019, when The Go-Ahead Group took over operations at the historic Queens Road bus depot in the heart of Manchester. Since then, we’ve worked hard to embed ourselves firmly within the communities we serve. In Bolton and Wigan, we operate the first two large depots to become part of the Greater Manchester Bee Network. We also provide school transport and local services for Transport for Greater Manchester in the Bury, Manchester, Stockport and Tameside areas. Go North West is part of the Go-Ahead Group, one of five major groups involved in running buses in the UK. The Go-Ahead philosophy is for each subsidiary company to run as an autonomous business, in tune with the local market.

http://www.gonorthwest.co.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Company pension. Full uniform. Employee assistance programme. Free bus travel in Greater Manchester.

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Bus driver.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

REALISE LEARNING AND EMPLOYMENT LIMITED

Recruitment@gonorthwest.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000316369.

Apply now

Closes on Thursday 30 October 2025

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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Company’s application instructions

Please apply online via our website

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Bus Driver Apprentice - Level 2 Passenger Transport

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