Trainee Bus Driver

Stagecoach Group Limited; Herne Bay; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training paid in full

PCV licence funded

4 weeks holiday (5 optional)

Free or discounted travel

Job summary

Stagecoach Group Limited in Herne Bay is offering an apprenticeship-style route to become a PCV-licensed bus driver. You will be paid during training, with fully funded licence costs, and you’ll gain hands-on experience from day one. A permanent role follows on completion.

Starting at £12.71 per hour during training, rising to £16.31 per hour after qualification, with an expected annual earnings around £33,076 based on 39 hours weekly and holidays. The role is based at the Herne Bay depot.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 or older and hold a driving licence with up to 6 penalty points.
• Right to work in the UK for DVLA compliance.
• Positive, friendly attitude and a passion for delivering great customer service.
• Willingness to learn and be part of a brilliant team.

Responsibilities

• Complete training and obtain your PCV licence with ongoing CPC development.
• Drive our bus fleet safely and confidently.
• Ensure every customer has a great journey.
• Deliver top-notch customer service to diverse passengers.
• Create a welcoming environment where customers feel cared for.
• Work flexible shifts including early mornings, evenings and weekends.

Skills

Customer service

Attitude to learning

Willingness to learn

Education

Full UK driving licence

Job description

Salary

£12.71 per hour during training up to £16.31 per hour after training

• Your new career starts here at Stagecoach, no experience needed
• Earn while you learn, we provide fully paid training to help you gain your PCV licence
• Based at our Herne Bay depot
• Pay rate during training of £12.71 per hour (training will last 6 – 8 weeks)
• Annual earnings of £33,076 following completion of training based on 39 hours per week as a qualified Bus Driver and 4 weeks holiday (5 week holiday option available)
• Shifts covering early, middle, late and 4 day week duties

Looking for a job with real purpose? A career that moves you forward?

At Stagecoach, we don’t just offer jobs; we offer careers. Our drivers are the heartbeat of our communities, connecting people to work, school, friends, and family. And now, we’re looking for more friendly, safety-conscious people to join our team at our Herne Bay depot.

No experience driving a bus? No problem! We’ll pay you to train, cover the cost of your PCV licence, and equip you with everything you need to not only succeed but flourish on the road. All we ask for is a great attitude to learning, a genuine desire to make a positive difference to people’ s daily lives, a passion for exceptional customer experience and a full UK driving licence.

Our working environment

We offer a welcoming and inclusive work environment across Stagecoach, where colleagues support each other, and managers are committed to creating great places to work. We also have a wide range of employee networks to ensure everyone feels valued and included, along with a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme to support your and your family’s health and wellbeing.

Our Herne Bay depot

At our Herne Bay depot, we operate a fleet of 63 buses covering the areas of Herne Bay, Whitstable, Canterbury, Chartham, Faversham, Sittingbourne, Maidstone and Aylesham with a team of 176 Drivers.

This isn’t just about driving a bus—it’s about making a difference every day. You’ll be a friendly face in someone’s day, offering a warm welcome, answering questions, and helping people feel safe and supported on their journey. Ready to get behind the wheel? Let’s go!

Why choose Stagecoach?

• We’ll cover all your training costs, so you earn while you learn
• Gain a Level 2 Bus Driver Apprenticeship, with structured training and an externally recognised qualification
• Competitive hourly rates, plus opportunities for overtime
• Great career opportunities growing into roles such as Inspector, Controller, Instructor alongside leadership and cross functional openings across the UK
• A permanent, stable career in a respected market leading organisation with a great future focussed on sustainable, clean energy vehicles
• Our benefits including pension, XX days holiday, free travel for you and a companion, a wide range of discounts

What will you be doing?

• Completing our industry leading training, securing your PCV licence followed by ongoing CPC training and professional development which form part of gaining your Level 2 Bus Driver Apprenticeship
• Driving our fantastic fleet safely, smoothly with confidence
• Making sure every single customer has a great journey
• Delivering top-notch customer service, helping people of all ages and backgrounds
• Creating a welcoming environment where customers feel respected, cared for, and looked after, especially those who rely on us most
• Working flexible shifts, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends

What do you need to apply?

• You need to be 18 years old and hold a driving licence with no more than 6 penalty points
• Right to work in the UK (You will need to have been in the UK for a minimum of 183 days as part of DVLA requirement)
• A patient, safe and courteous approach to driving
• Being the face of Stagecoach, a positive, friendly attitude and a passion for delivering great customer service
• A willingness to learn and be part of a brilliant team
• Our recruitment process is simple; a short application (around 3 – 4 minutes), followed by an interview assessing your experience & behaviours

Stagecoach is proudly an inclusive employer, striving for a culture where everyone can be themselves and where all the differences people bring are truly appreciated. We welcome applications from all, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, race, religion, beliefs, disability, neurodiversity, sexual orientation or age. We also live by our five values across Stagecoach; We plan for the future, We do the right thing, We are stronger together, We are down to earth and We support communities.

Stagecoach is proudly an inclusive employer, striving for a culture where everyone can be themselves and where all the differences people bring are truly appreciated. We welcome applications from all, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, race, religion, beliefs, disability, neurodiversity, sexual orientation, or age.

Location:

Stagecoach Herne Bay Depot Eddington Lane Herne Bay CT6 5TR