Mechanical & Electrical Apprentice

First Group; York; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job description

Are you looking to kick-start a career in engineering?

Our engineers are at the heart of the action, keeping our buses on the roads and serving our millions of customers every day. It's a rewarding and challenging job, and to help transform public transport we have set a goal to have zero emissions by 2035, so you'll also be helping the planet and supporting our local communities as we reach net zero.

This apprenticeship will help you to become a well-rounded engineer who will be able to work on both diesel and electric buses. It's a 3-year apprenticeship programme where you will learn to become a fully qualified engineer. Our apprenticeships are a great way to start a career in engineering, or a way to retrain yourself and develop a new skill.

You can join us as an apprentice at any age - the programme is suitable for everyone and a real opportunity to start your journey with us to help you reach your full potential.

Qualification

• You will study the Bus and Coach Engineering Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3) with Reaseheath in Nantwich, Cheshire.
• You will attend 4 x 3-week blocks at college every academic year.
• 3-years in duration.
• Find out more about the qualification here.

About You

• Have great listening, problem-solving and communication skills.
• Have at least 5 GCSEs at Level 4 or above including English and Maths (or equivalent).
• Have lived in the UK/EEA for the past 3 years (this is an apprenticeship requirement).
• Be happy to stay away from home for the block weeks at college.
• Right to Work in the UK.

11 great reasons to become a First Bus Apprentice

• First Bus is a real living wage employer: your hourly rate will be £12 per hour effective of 1st April 2025, and £12.60 per hour effective of 1st October 2025. Apprentices based in Scotland only will receive £12.60 per hour effective from 1st April 2025.
• Be an apprentice trailblazer: We are delivering a massive upgrade to our fleet across the United Kingdom. You will be part of our transformational Apprentice intake.
• Future-proof your engineering career: You'll gain the skills to work across our fleet, including the latest electric and hybrid vehicles. Green automotive technologies are evolving fast, and we will keep introducing new models. You will re-train regularly in whatever comes next for automotive engineering.
• Earn great benefits on top of a proper salary: All UK apprenticeships offer the chance to “earn while you learn”. We add lots of extra benefits on top, including discounts on leading brands and household shopping.
• Get your kit provided: We have a toolbox waiting for you and all the protective gear you need for the workshop.
• Learn from some amazing people: You'll train in our depot workshop and in the classroom at college. Our team are here to coach and guide on the path to gaining a recognised qualification - and becoming a fully-fledged engineer.
• Get daily job satisfaction: You will be in a real job. Depending on the role and programme you choose, you'll learn skills such as inspections, servicing, fault diagnosis and repair. You'll get to solve problems every day – and see your impact directly when buses head back out of the depot.
• Help keep communities moving: Your work will have a big wider impact. By keeping our fleet on the road, you will be helping maintain an everyday service that really matters to local people.
• Support a greener, sustainable future: The whole world is moving to a low carbon future, featuring electric vehicles and fewer car journeys. First Bus is on a “zero emission mission” to lead the UK public transport sector in sustainable operations.
• Be here at an exciting time: Our fleet upgrade is just one of the big developments in the business. We've recently launched a new company vision, expanding our services and exploring new kinds of travel and transport solutions.
• Start on a structured career path: When we say our Apprentices will be the next generation of First Bus Engineers, we mean it. Apprentices are the lifeblood of our Engineering team – this could be the start of a career with no limits on your ambitions.

Rewards & Benefits

Your salary goes further on a First Bus Apprenticeship, thanks to the generous benefits package.

• First Xclusives discount scheme: You and your family & friends can benefit from over 3,000 offers on high street & leisure brands such as: Currys, ASOS, B&Q, Boots, Expedia, Nike, and H&M.
• Free travel on our buses for you and your family (a great saving to share with them).
• Discounted all-day train travel for you and your family on Great Western Railway, South Western Railway, Avanti, Trans Pennine Express, Hull Trains.
• Free onsite parking.
• Up to 5 weeks holiday + bank holidays.
• Pension scheme and chance to buy discounted First Group shares.

All new apprentices will be covered by the new real living wage agreement whereby the hourly rate will increase to £12ph effective of 1st April 2025, and £12.60ph effective of 1st October 2025.

We put a big focus on physical and mental wellbeing at First Bus. We recognise that anyone can be affected by the stresses and strains of work, or life outside it. You'll find a range of health-promotion initiatives, and you will have 24/7 access to our confidential Employee Assistance Programme as well as our Mental Health First Aiders.

Ready to join the next generation? Please apply now. We look forward to receiving your application.

At First Bus, we are proud of the journey we are on to become a place where everyone is welcome, can be their true selves and succeed. It's all part of the people centric transformation we are accelerating throughout our business.

We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to remove discrimination and unfair treatment in everything we do in order to become a truly inclusive business.

Applicants are advised that background checks will be conducted as a standard part of our recruitment process.