Trainee Driver - Hourly

139 Busways Travel Services Limited; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

28 days holiday

Free travel for you and a companion

Job summary

Stagecoach Sunderland is offering a Level 2 Bus Driver Apprenticeship at our Sunderland depot. You’ll be paid during training (£13.41 per hour for 6–8 weeks) and you'll gain your PCV licence while you learn, with annual earnings projected at £26,840 once qualified and rising to £32,207 after the first year.

No prior experience is required. Earn while you learn, with fully funded training and a supportive team.

Qualifications

• No prior experience required; training provided.
• Earn while you learn with fully funded training.
• Level 2 Bus Driver Apprenticeship with externally recognised qualification.
• PCV licence upon completion.

Responsibilities

• Complete training and obtain PCV licence.
• Drive Stagecoach buses safely and professionally.
• Deliver excellent customer service.
• Work flexible shifts including early mornings, evenings and weekends.

Skills

Customer service

Safety-conscious

Flexible

Positive attitude

Education

Level 2 Bus Driver Apprenticeship

Tools

PCV licence

Job description

Salary £13.95p/h after training, rising to £16.74p/h after your first year of service. 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 and enhancing your learning through a Level 2 Apprenticeship Qualification. Based at our Sunderland depot, located at Dundas Street, Sunderland. Pay rate during training of £13.41 per hour (training will last 6 – 8 weeks) Annual earnings of £26,840 following completion of training based on 37 hours per week as a qualified Bus Driver (moving to £32,207 after your first year).

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 Sunderland 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 Sunderland depot At our Sunderland depot, we operate a fleet of 75 buses covering the areas of Sunderland and surrounding areas with a team of almost 200 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 your 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, 28 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

We can’t wait to welcome you on board!

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 Sunderland Depot North Bridge St, Wheatsheaf Sunderland SR5 1AD

Welcome to Stagecoach, the UK’s #1 bus company. If you’re ready to join our team, simply fill out an application via a PC or mobile device, and a member of our Recruitment team will be in touch to inform you of next steps. 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.