Work for us
Apprenticeship
Programme
We know apprenticeships play a vital role in in upskilling our team and the wider industry.
That’s why we invest in our apprenticeship programmes and are the only UK public transport operator registered as an approved in-house provider of apprenticeships across both bus and rail.
In 2024, we were recognised by the UK Department for Education as a leading transport employer for apprenticeships for the third consecutive year.
A number of senior leaders across our business have grown through our apprenticeship programmes.
Bus Apprenticeships at a glance
510
bus driver apprenticeships in 2024
38 %
under 24 years old
19 %
bus driver apprenticeships in 2024
75 %
BAME bus driver apprentices
1000
completed bus driver apprentices
Rail Apprenticeships at a glance
639
enrolled rail apprentices
23
different apprenticeship standards for rail
406
completed rail apprentices
24 %
female rail apprentices
26 %
BAME rail apprentices
Apply for an Apprenticeship
That’s why we invest in our apprenticeship programmes and are the only UK public transport operator registered as an approved in-house provider of apprenticeships across both bus and rail.
Bus driver apprenticeships at Go-Ahead London
Join the largest bus operator in London.
Bus driver apprenticeships at Go North West
Become a bus driver and keep people moving in the Greater Manchester region
Engineering Apprenticeships
Become a bus and coach engineering technician
Rail apprenticeships
Work on the UK’s biggest and most complex rail service.
Investing in apprenticeships
Apprentices are the future of Go-Ahead, and we’re committed to helping them build lasting careers in transport. Whether they’re training as drivers, engineers, or customer service professionals, apprentices bring new ideas, enthusiasm and skills to our business.
By investing in apprenticeships, we’re creating opportunities for diverse people to gain valuable qualifications and hands-on experience. We value our apprentices and the vital role they play in keeping communities moving—today and in the future.
That’s why we’re proud to have been named one of the UK’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers for three consecutive years, recognising our commitment to training, development, and long-term career opportunities.
Types of apprenticeship
- Go-Ahead London
- Go North West
- GTR
| Level | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 | Passenger Transport Driver – Bus, Coach and Tram | Current |
| Level 3 | Bus and Coach Engineering Technician | Current |
| Level 2 | Passenger Transport Driver – Bus, Coach and Tram | Current |
| Level | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Bus and Coach Engineering Technician | Current |
| Level 2 | Passenger Transport Driver – Bus, Coach and Tram | Current |
| Level 4 | Passenger Transport Driver – Bus, Coach and Tram | Current |
| Level | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 | Bus and Coach Engineering Technician | Current |
| Level 2 | Passenger Transport Driver – Bus, Coach and Tram | Current |
| Level 2 | Bus and Coach Engineering Technician | Current |
| Level 2 | Passenger Transport Driver – Bus, Coach and Tram | Current |
Frequently asked questions
An apprenticeship is a paid job where you learn while you work, gaining hands-on experience while receiving industry-recognised training. Typically, apprentices spend 80% of their time on the job and 20% studying towards their qualification, developing the skills and knowledge needed for a successful career.
The minimum duration for all apprenticeships is 12 months, however most apprenticeships at Go-Ahead will take between three and four years to complete.
Applications for Go-Ahead apprenticeships are completed through the websites of each of our operating companies. The apprenticeship journey involves several key steps:
Find the right apprenticeship
Research available apprenticeships and choose one that matches your interests and career goals.
Check eligibility
Ensure you meet the entry requirements for your chosen apprenticeship.
Application and assessment
Apply for the programme and complete any required initial assessments.
Registration and induction
Once accepted, you’ll be registered and take part in an induction to introduce you to the role.
Training and learning
Gain hands-on experience while studying, with a mix of on-the-job and off-the-job training.
Functional skills (if required)
If required, you may complete additional training in subjects like maths and English.
Gateway and assessment
When ready, you’ll complete final assessments, including an End Point Assessment (EPA), to demonstrate your skills.
Certification
After passing, you’ll receive a recognised qualification and be ready to take the next step in your career.
- In order to undertake an apprenticeship, you must:
- Have the Right to Work in the UK for the duration of your apprenticeship
- Have lived in the UK/EEA for the past three years
- Require significant and sustained new learning in your role
- Not already be enrolled in funded learning
The entry requirements for an apprenticeship will depend on the industry, job role, employer and apprenticeship level. Each employer will specify what qualifications, skills or qualities are needed.
Higher and degree apprenticeships are available at Levels 4 to 7 (see the table below). Higher and degree apprenticeships take between one and five years to complete.
| Name | Level | Equivalent educational level |
| Intermediate | 2 | 5 GCSE passes |
| Advanced | 3 | 2 A Level passes |
| Higher | 4,5,6, 7 | Foundation degree and above |
| Degree | 6, 7 | Bachelor’s or master’s degree |
Apprenticeships at Go-Ahead generally start in July each year. However, some opportunities may have different start dates. For the most current information, we recommend visiting the career pages of our operating companies
The types of qualifications vary depending on each operating company, refer to the types of apprenticeships
Widening access to apprenticeships
Go-Ahead partners with organisations and charities, collaborating on initiatives that encourage people from diverse backgrounds to consider and apply for apprenticeships. By collaborating with these groups, we aim to make apprenticeships more accessible and bring more people into the transport industry.
The King’s Trust
Our rail company, GTR, partners with the King’s Trust to help disadvantaged young people enter the rail sector. The scheme has offered training, placements, and full-time jobs to over 200 candidates in the past decade.
Women with drive
Go-Ahead London works with Transport for London to provide a two-week pre-apprenticeship programme called ‘Women with Drive’. The initiative encourages women to consider a career in the bus industry.
The Young Apprentice Ambassador Network (YAAN)
We support YAAN, a community of inspiring and driven apprentice who work to promote apprenticeships by visiting schools and sharing their experiences.
