The apprenticeship programme is being launched at the new Metroline Skills and Development Centre in Willesden with 24 places initially on offer.

Metroline is working in partnership with Realise to ensure that apprentices are well supported and that the scheme is as comprehensive and beneficial to trainees as possible.

The programme is based on Metroline’s existing bus driver training module; which has been enhanced and extended with the support of Realise to deliver practical, on-the-job learning with theory-based training.

Each year Metroline trains about 600 drivers to provide high-quality driving, excellent customer service with a key focus on safety as core aspects of the programme.

Metroline, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore-based ComfortDelGro, one of the world’s largest passenger land transport companies, employs more than 5,000 people, almost 4,500 of these are drivers, with a team of more than 250 engineers. It currently operates 99 routes, mostly for Transport for London (TfL), and operates two commercial routes in Hertfordshire.

Stephen Harris, Metroline operations director, said: “The Bus Driver Apprenticeship provides a fantastic opportunity to learn all the skills required to become a competent, confident and safe bus driver with Metroline while being supported by Realise’s training professionals.

“We have worked closely with Realise, combining our passenger transport industry experience with their proven apprenticeship knowledge, experience and management of the apprenticeship levy.

“Together we have created a training programme to make the scheme as advantageous to our business as it is to the learner. We are now excited to be able to deliver this pilot scheme before rolling it out to the 600 new drivers who join Metroline each year.”

Gregg Scott, Realise’s director of national accounts, said: “With a proven track record in delivering apprenticeships across a wide range of sectors, including transport, we are delighted to be working with Metroline, an industry leader in this area, to launch an apprenticeship programme which will create the next generation of London’s bus drivers.

“Over many months our teams have worked with a true partnership spirit to create a programme that supports new drivers in all aspects of their role and the first of its kind in London.”

Metroline has a track record of successful apprenticeship schemes; its engineering apprenticeship programme has benefited hundreds of trainees since it began more than a decade ago.