Harrogate-based bus firm Transdev has announced the launch of a new flagship bus driver apprenticeship scheme.
Transdev said it is always looking for new opportunities to invest in the next generation of bus drivers, enhance training experiences and develop deeper relationships with local communities across the North of England.
And the bus company has now announced the launch of a brand-new Level 2 Bus Driver Apprenticeship programme – opening the door to a successful career in the transportation industry to more people in Yorkshire and Lancashire.
Starting in January, Transdev’s new Level 2 Bus Driver Apprenticeship will be delivered in partnership with Realise over 326 hours of training and eight months of learning – each individual course is valued at £8000, which will be funded in full and directly through Transdev’s Apprenticeship Levy.
For the public, this means that your next generation of bus drivers will have all been recruited, trained, and supported in-house by some of the most experienced instructors in the British transport industry, before opening their doors to customers in late 2026.
In addition to learning the skills, attitudes and behaviours needed to be a successful bus driver, this innovative new course has also been purposefully designed to be as accessible as possible.
Apprentices will no longer be examined on Functional Skills as a mandatory, standalone component of the course.
Instead, Transdev and Realise will naturally embed Functional Skills throughout the learning experience, improving the maths and English skills of future bus drivers.
For Training Manager Dale French, this new programme is the culmination of years of planning and development at The Academy, Transdev’s Training Centre:
“Our new apprenticeship scheme is hugely significant for us; not only will it enhance our current training experience for colleagues but also open the door to a whole new cohort of local talent.
“By investing in this new programme, Transdev are also investing in the communities we serve across the North of England.
“With more well-trained driver colleagues, we are confident that this new scheme will enhance the quality of the service we provide, leading to more reliable buses for our customers for years to come.”
Kairon Flowers, Director of Transport at Realise, celebrated the partnership:
“We are excited to partner with Transdev and to play our part in ensuring the bus provider has well-trained, skilled drivers to serve Yorkshire and Lancashire.
“Buses are of critical importance to cities, towns and villages, so safeguarding services by developing skills is vital.
“For individuals, apprenticeships cannot only provide a route to a stable, fulfilling new career but can also leave them well placed to earn a promotion in the future.”
The first class are already enrolled and start their Level 2 Bus Driver Apprenticeships in January 2026.
With Transdev’s industry experts beside them at the wheel, these learners are now on their way toward a successful career in the British transport industry.
Applications for Transdev’s bus driver apprenticeship programme are open online.
More information on the course and how to apply can be found online at: transdevbus.co.uk/careers-pages/work-with-us.
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