The latest in the Derby Jobs Live series of recruitment events will help people find out more about life as a bus driver.
Derby City Council’s Economic Growth Service has teamed up with trentbarton, one of Derbyshire’s largest transport companies, to showcase 38 vacancies at the company’s Derby depot and over 150 across the East Midlands.
Applicants don’t need a passenger-carrying vehicle licence as full training will be provided, but they must have a full car licence and at least 12 months’ driving experience.
Those who successfully complete roughly eight to 10 weeks of training can expect a starting salary of around £22,000, rising to an average of £26,500 after 12 months.
During the one-hour session on Wednesday 16 March, potential new recruits can ask any questions they have about the jobs and find out more about what the training involves, to see if it’s the career for them.
They will also hear about a three-day Customer Service and Employability course delivered by the Derby Adult Learning Service (DALS) that ends with a guaranteed interview and how it helped a current trentbarton bus driver secure work.
Derby Jobs Live is a series of recruitment events introduced to address changes in the labour market affecting many sectors as the country emerges from the pandemic.
Councillor Evonne Williams, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Skills at Derby City Council, said: “We’re pleased to work with trentbarton to recruit more drivers and create a diverse, skilled workforce reflecting the needs of our city. Buses are a vital form of transport and many people rely on them to stay connected with family and friends, access essential services and travel to work or school.
“It’s important that we have drivers trained and in place so that as we emerge from the pandemic and demand rises, operators can get our services back to where they were.”
Jeff Counsell, Managing Director at trentbarton, said: “We’re looking for people who are new to the bus industry and enjoy working with people. We’ll provide all the training you will need, not only to get your bus licence, but also how to deliver excellent customer service.
“You’ll become part of a close-knit team providing a vital public service and working for an industry leader that pays well. We also offer great employee benefits, such as gym and retail discounts, and provide ongoing training and career development opportunities.”
