Go-Ahead secures unique accreditation for transport sector apprenticeships

The Go-Ahead Group (LON: GOG) has become the first provider of bus and rail services to be nationally recognised for the quality of apprenticeships across the business.

After gaining the unique certification from the Education and Skills Funding Agency, Go-Ahead can deliver apprenticeships without a training partner.

The ESFA is an executive agency responsible for funding education and skills for children, young people and adults, operating under the Department for Education.

While it has recognised individual train and bus operating companies in the past, Go-Ahead is the first transport provider operating both services to be accredited, recognising opportunities throughout the company.

Go-Ahead expects to take more than 300 apprentices a year once the programme is rolled out.

Group chief executive David Brown said: “Go-Ahead is an employer that invests in its people, and that includes both existing staff and future talent.

“The team worked hard to achieve the ESFA accreditation and I am delighted that we now offer both apprenticeships and a graduate scheme.”

The accreditation builds on a history of excellence in training. Go-Ahead has previously collaborated with the Princes Trust to deliver four week “pre-apprenticeship” programmes. 100 young people have undertaken the course within Govia Thameslink Railway, with 75 recruited to a permanent role. Go-Ahead was also the first in the industry to secure “Trailblazer” status with the National Training Academy for Rail.

Neil Robertson, Chief Executive of the National Skills Academy for Rail said: “The Go-Ahead Group is a stalwart within the industry and achieving this status is testament to its ability to deliver exceptional quality training.”

Apprenticeships from Go Ahead will be available from later this year.

About Go-Ahead: Go-Ahead is a leading UK public transport operator, providing high quality services in the bus and rail sectors. Employing around 29,000 people across the country, over one billion passenger journeys are undertaken on our services each year. We are committed to operating our companies in a safe, socially and environmentally responsible way and are proud to have been accredited with triple Carbon Trust Standard for reductions in carbon, water and waste. In addition to the travelling public, our customers include the Department for Transport, Transport for London (TfL) and local authorities. 

Go-Ahead is one of the UK’s largest bus operators. With a fleet of around 5,200 buses, we carry over two million passengers every day. Our operations are focused on high density commuter markets. We have a strong presence in London, with around 24 per cent market share, where we provide regulated services for TfL. Outside London, we operate services in Oxford, East Anglia, the South East, Southern and north east England. In September 2016, the Group began operating a bus contract in Singapore, on behalf of the Land Transport Authority.