Apprenticeships with Go North West

About the course

Looking to shift your career into top gear?

The Go North West Elite Training Academy is your ticket to a future on the road... literally. We’re not just looking for drivers; we’re on the lookout for the best of the best. If you’ve ever looked at a packed rush-hour route and thought, “Bring it on,” then this course is for you.

You won’t just learn how to drive a bus, you’ll master everything from customer service to safety, route planning to fare handling, all while earning and learning on the job.

By the end of the programme, you won’t just be a qualified driver — you’ll be a trusted, respected professional, ready to drive your career forward.

Is this course right for you?

Every good mission needs a checklist. So, if these are all ticks, then you’ve got what it takes to be an elite bus driver:

- Do you meet basic DVLA medical standards?
- Have you had a driving licence for over six months?
- Do you have no more than six penalty points? 
- Are you over 21 years of age?
- Do you have no drink-drive convictions in the past five years?
- Are you able to take up legal employment in the UK?
- Have you had UK residency for at least 3 years?
- Do you dream of leaving the rut in the rearview mirror, grabbing your career by the gearstick and making tracks for Awesomeville?

 

What you’ll learn

Across 13-months, you will learn the skills required to thrive in your role as a bus driver for Go North West.

Including:

- How to drive a passenger carrying vehicle
- Routes and route features including restrictions
- Safe working practices
- Emergency and hazard management
- Customer service
- Professionalism
- British values, equality & diversity, accessibility & self-development

 

How you’ll learn

Our expert staff will support you to achieve the apprenticeship. We have highly skilled and knowledgeable staff with significant experience of working in the industry who will be able to share their experiences and support you.

Typically, you will have:

- A dedicated trainer providing ongoing training, guidance and support
- Practical assessments and on-bus observations, including in a depot environment
- Workshops sessions delivered at a local depot or remotely via Zoom
- 24/7 access to a range of online learning materials and resources
- Support from your employer to fulfil the requirements of the programme
- Progress reviews, including a pre-gateway and final gateway review before end point assessment
- End point assessment preparation and support ensuring you’re ready to progress
- Support from English/Maths Tutors if required