Lothian is delighted to introduce a new group of first-year apprentice engineers to the company’s highly-regarded Engineering Apprentice training programme.

The public transport operator welcomed eight new apprentice engineers onto their four-year training course, underpinning Lothian’s investment in bringing through and developing home-grown talent.

Throughout their apprenticeship, the team of trainee engineers will be supported by the company’s dedicated Training and Apprentice Manager and wider engineering management team within Lothian’s garages to develop their practical skills through on-the-job training.

Colin Barnes, Engineering Director for Lothian, said: “At Lothian, we understand the importance and value of helping develop technical skills for our industry.

“Our apprenticeship programme allows our trainees to draw from the experiences of our dedicated engineering team and receive vital on-the-job training to help ensure their skills are well-rounded.

“We are delighted to be able to welcome another group of apprentices into the business this year and I’m sure they will go on to have successful careers within the company while helping to futureproof Lothian for years to come.”

Through the modern apprenticeship, apprentices will train in all aspects of bus and coach repair and maintenance including vehicle servicing, MOT preparation, removal, replacement and overhaul of major components and electrical fault diagnostics.

Working in partnership with Glasgow Training Group, apprentices are also given fantastic opportunities to develop their skillset in a modern, purpose-built training centre and at the end of their training, participants will achieve either an SVQ in Bus and Coach Mechanical/Electrical or SCQF Level 6 in Bus and Coach Body Cladding.

In the last 10 years, Lothian has trained over 120 apprentices with the majority of them still currently working at the company. With these new additions, Lothian now has 24 apprentices in training.