Full marks from Ofsted for Go-Ahead’s apprenticeship scheme

Go-Ahead’s apprenticeship scheme has received an official stamp of approval with bus company Go-Ahead London and rail companies Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) and Southeastern successfully passing their Ofsted New Provider Monitoring Visit.

The transport provider – which is on track to hire 1,100 apprentices across bus and rail in 2021 – received visits across various sites from Ofsted and has won praise from the regulator in official assessments.

Inspectors found that Go-Ahead London apprentices are well supported by logically ordered training modules, with frequent and thorough reviews of their progress.

Ofsted reported that apprentices in the bus business enjoy and value the course, are enthusiastic about their prospects and develop extensive knowledge about British values – including respect for passengers with different beliefs.

On the rail side, Ofsted inspectors described the curriculum as “thoughtfully structured”, with ambitious standards set for trainees.

Ofsted particularly highlighted the company’s safety-first culture, with the overall Group report highlighting Go-Ahead’s ‘significant progress’ in ensuring apprentices’ wellbeing and safety, especially considering the backdrop of the pandemic.

Go-Ahead’s Group People Director Scott Maynard said: “Our apprentices deserve the best introduction into Go-Ahead – whether this is their first career, or they’ve switched over from another industry. We’re committed to providing an excellent training programme where people can develop and thrive.”

“We’re pleased that Ofsted recognises our continued hard work in ensuring that our future bus drivers, train drivers and engineers receive the highest quality of training. Our company is built on apprenticeship programmes, and we always welcome our role of upskilling talent.”

Apprenticeships are crucial for bringing more diversity into the male-dominated industry of transport. 24% of Southeastern’s apprentices and 27% of GTR’s apprentices are women.

Go-Ahead London’s Apprenticeship Manager Caroline Welch was also the first woman of colour to be a bus driving instructor in 2008 and is currently a finalist for an ‘Everywoman in Transport’ award.