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24/10/2014 16:55
Bus, coach & HGV companies trailblaze the way for skills growth

Job opportunities in the bus, coach and HGV sectors will be more accessible for youngsters following the launch of the third phase of the government’s successful apprenticeship Trailblazers scheme.

Employers from across over 50 transport and mobility companies across the UK have successfully applied to join more than 36 other trailblazing sectors in delivering the next stage of the innovative training scheme, which will result in the implementation of new apprenticeship opportunities uniquely designed to best meet the skills needs of specific industries.

Participating companies, which include a mix of regional and national operators such as Arriva, Reading Buses and Stagecoach, will now collaborate with HGV companies including Scania, Volvo and MAN and relevant stakeholders to develop new apprenticeship standards which will best reflect the training requirements within the bus, coach and HGV sector.

Lloyd Mason, Engineering Development Manager from Arriva UK Bus, who lead the sector working group, stated: “I am pleased that our application to develop new standards for bus, coach and heavy goods vehicle engineering maintenance and engineering manager apprenticeships was accepted for the third phase of Trailblazers. 

“The scheme plays a key role in replacing complex apprenticeship frameworks with short, simple, accessible standards written by employers in language they understand. The team of employers from the bus, coach and HGV sector will enjoy working with stakeholders to develop new standards that will undoubtedly deliver best in class apprenticeships. 

“With the planned changes to funding, Trailblazers places employers firmly back in the driving seat. I would urge employers to get involved with developing standards in their sector or risk working to someone else’s plan.”

Trailblazers are groups of leading employers within a sector working together to develop new apprenticeship standards for occupations ranging from welder to police officer. Launched in October 2013, the Trailblazers initiative aims to ensure that every apprentice in England is enrolled on a scheme that has been designed and approved by employers. More than 300 apprentices have started on approved Trailblazer standards since September 2014.
The third phase will bring the total number of employers involved in designing apprenticeships as part of the Trailblazers project to more than 1,000.

Skills Minister Nick Boles said: “I congratulate Lloyd Mason and his team for the key role they are playing in developing new top-quality apprenticeships. Through the trailblazers initiative companies like Arriva, in collaboration with their industry partners, will give people the skills they need to thrive and our businesses need to compete.”

For more information about Trailblazers, please visit the ‘Standards in Development’ page at www.apprenticeships.org.uk