Trainee Bus Driver

265 Greater Manchester Buses South Limited; Middleton; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

28 days holiday

Free travel for you and a companion

Discounts

Job summary

Stagecoach Middleton depot in Manchester is hiring as a Trainee Bus Driver. You'll train while you earn, gaining your PCV licence through the Level 2 Bus Driver Apprenticeship, with a guaranteed 37 hours per week.

Starting rate £14.30 per hour during training, rising to £15.99 after training, and £19.06 after 12 months service. We offer paid training, a comprehensive programme, and a welcoming, community focused team.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older with a UK driving licence and no more than 6 penalty points
• Right to work in the UK and DVLA eligibility
• Patient, safe and courteous approach to driving
• Positive attitude and a willingness to learn as part of a team

Responsibilities

• Completing training and gaining PCV licence under Level 2 Apprenticeship
• Drive the Stagecoach fleet safely and confidently
• Deliver excellent customer service on every journey
• Create a welcoming environment for all passengers
• Work flexible shifts including early mornings, evenings and weekends
• Maintain safety and compliance on all trips

Skills

Driving licence

Customer service

Safety-conscious

Job description

Salary and Pay

• Salary £19.06 per hour with valid PCV licence or after 9 months service.
• £15.99 per hour after training (Monday to Friday), £14.30 per hour during training Trainee Bus Driver (including Apprenticeship qualification)
• Pay rate of £14.30 per hour in training, £15.99 per hour after training, and £19.06 per hour after 12 months service

Guaranteed 37 hours a week

Shift patterns of any 5 days over 7

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 Middleton depot.

No experience driving a bus? No problem! We'll pay you to train whilst we invest significantly in your training. You'll gain your PCV licence as part of our Level 2 Bus Driver Apprenticeship, which will equip you with everything you need to not only succeed but flourish on the road. The apprenticeship gives you a structured training programme and an externally recognised qualification, with no impact on your role, pay or hours. 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 Middleton depot

At our Middleton depot, we operate a fleet of 49 buses covering the areas of Middleton, Chadderton, Bury, Blackley, and Manchester City Centre with a team of 134 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.

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 focused on sustainable, clean energy vehicles

Benefits

• pension
• 28 days holiday
• free travel for you and a companion
• a wide range of discounts
• We are proud to have our commitment to delivering high standards of employment, fair working practices and employee welfare recognised in our achievement of Good Employment Charter Membership https://www.gmgoodemploymentcharter.co.uk/

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

Recruitment Process

Our recruitment process is simple; a short application (around 3 - 4 minutes). followed by an interview assessing your experience & behaviours

Values

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.

Inclusive Statement (repeated)

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 Middleton Depot Alexander House, Greengate, Middleton Manchester M24 1RU

Company Overview

Welcome to Stagecoach, the UK's #1 bus company. Every day we help millions of passengers get to the people and places that matter to them, connecting the communities we are proud to serve. Founded in 1980, Stagecoach has established itself as the UK’s largest transport operator, with services connecting more than 100 major towns and cities in England, Scotland, and Wales. We work with our partners to deliver a greener, smarter, safer, healthier, and fairer country. Providing extensive expertise in commercial and contracted markets, we assist national and regional government to deliver on ambitious plans for their citizens, communities, and local economy. Our team of 26,000 employees are proud to serve our customers and be an integral part of their local communities.