How to apply
Here are the stages of our Apprentice recruitment process. We’ll update you on the progress of your application by email, so keep an eye on your inbox.
At FirstGroup, we provide easy and convenient mobility, improving quality of life by connecting people and communities. Last year, around two billion people relied on our services to visit family and friends or get to work, school or college. It’s an enormous challenge, which is why we need Apprentices to join both our bus and rail businesses. Ready to take the first step to a rewarding, fast-paced career?
Rail Apprenticeships are available through South Western Railway (SWR), Great Western Railway (GWR) and TransPennine Express (TPE). Each company offers programmes covering everything from Operations and Business areas to Engineering. More interested in a technical role, working with our national bus fleet? Take a look at the programmes on offer over at First Bus.
Each Apprenticeship will expose you to different expertise, geography and customers – but no matter where you join us, you’ll find we share the same values. Every role offers great perks, training and support, plus the chance to build new strengths, grow your career and get to grips with some exciting challenges.
Start your journey here.
Want training, national standards, a salary plus a great head start in your career? Discover the range of Apprenticeships offered by South Western Railways, Great Western Railway and TransPennine Express. You can choose to specialise in a variety of areas. Whichever programme interests you, you’ll be joining a key rail network.
An Apprenticeship at First Bus is a springboard to an exciting future career. Choose from four different Engineering, Human Resourcing, Customer Service and Business Administration programmes that will teach you all about our extensive fleet – and give you standards and training as well.
Here are the stages of our Apprentice recruitment process. We’ll update you on the progress of your application by email, so keep an eye on your inbox.
The next stage is a number of online tests. These could include verbal, numerical or logical reasoning tests. Normally you will have a week to complete them.
Soon after your assessment, you'll find out if you've gained a place on the Apprenticeship. If the answer's yes, congratulations! Details of your expected start date will be provided at this point.
Fill in a short application online before the deadline advertised in the vacancy. Do it earlier if you can - we get stacks of applications.
If you're successful up to this point, we'll invite you to an Assessment Centre. These are held in Spring at various locations. More details will be provided if invited. Enjoy a chance to shine in various exercises designed to showcase your strengths and bring out the best in you.
Fill in a short application online before the deadline advertised in the vacancy. Do it earlier if you can - we get stacks of applications.
The next stage is a number of online tests. These could include verbal, numerical or logical reasoning tests. Normally you will have a week to complete them.
If you're successful up to this point, we'll invite you to an Assessment Centre. These are held in Spring at various locations. More details will be provided if invited. Enjoy a chance to shine in various exercises designed to showcase your strengths and bring out the best in you.
Soon after your assessment, you'll find out if you've gained a place on the Apprenticeship. If the answer's yes, congratulations! Details of your expected start date will be provided at this point.
We get too many applications to give everyone detailed feedback. But if you're not successful at the Assessment Centre, we will try to explain our decision. This may help you if you decide to apply to FirstGroup again in the future.
If you consider yourself to have a disability, we'll make every effort to make any reasonable adjustments to our selection process. Along with the 'Equality Act 2010', we define disability as 'a physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial long-term adverse effect on the person's ability to perfom normal day-to-day activities.' Just ensure you contact us to discuss your needs!
Before your training starts, you will need to take a medical examination. This will make sure that you're fit enough to take part in your various placements. The medical is only for people on certain programmes. As part of your medical you'll be required to undergo a Drugs & Alcohol screening.