A Greater Manchester man revved up his career by completing a bus driver apprenticeship – and is now helping others to do the same as a trainer.

Arif Mahmud, who lives in Hyde, left his job in customer service and embarked on the Stagecoach bus driver apprenticeship five years ago.

The programme was delivered by leading training provider Realise and, once completed, allowed Arif to work as a bus driver on the streets of Stockport.

Eager to continue his progression, Arif was successful in obtaining a job with Realise last March to enable him to deliver the Level 2 Passenger Transport apprenticeship to the Go North West drivers of tomorrow.

Arif, aged 28, said: “I was looking to take my career in a different direction and thought bus driving was an excellent opportunity. My apprenticeship was supposed to take 12 months but was more like 24 months due to covid. When I did eventually get out on the roads, I loved it.

“It was great to be able to serve the community and help people get about. It was a very satisfying job.”

Arif was excited when he heard of a vacancy to become a Realise trainer.

“I felt it was a great opportunity to develop myself,” he said. “The first time I applied to become a trainer I got through to the final stage and was unsuccessful, but I tried again a year later and got the job.

“It’s going really well. I think it’s a real benefit that I have been through the training myself and know the realities of what it’s like to be out on the roads.

“Realise give you the flexibility to teach in your own way. It allows you to find out what works best for the learners you have and to build a strong relationship with them.

“I am currently delivering the theory elements of the programme but hope to move onto practical in time.”

Having already seen his career progress through learning, Arif has now embarked on the Level 3 teaching assistant apprenticeship with Realise. He is due to complete his exams in March.

Arif added: “Apprenticeships have played a huge role in my career and progression. They are an excellent way to learn new skills and gain valuable qualifications while working.”

For more information visit www.realisetraining.com