Trainee Bus Driver

Position Overview

Begin your career as a Bus Driver with Arriva at our Harlow depot, where you'll play a vital part in connecting local commuters, shoppers, and school children to their destinations. This role allows you to build meaningful relationships with the community, often becoming a cherished part of their daily routine. Bus Drivers here enjoy one of the highest appreciation rates among UK professions.

Compensation Details

• Starting pay during training: £12.71 per hour
• Post-training up to 9 months of service: £12.71 per hour, with £13.60 hourly overtime
• After 9 months of service: £16.85 per hour, with overtime at £17.85

Training and Development

Receive fully funded training culminating in your PCV licence. Initial training spans approximately 4 weeks, starting with a week at our Luton depot and the remainder at Harlow. Following this, you will work alongside a mentor for several more weeks. Continued professional development includes ongoing CPC training. We offer pathways for career advancement into roles such as management, training support, or expert driving.

Working Hours

• A rotating shift schedule covering 5 days out of 7, planned 6-8 weeks in advance
• Shift start times rotate among early mornings (from 04:00), afternoons (from 12:00), and evenings (from 18:00)
• Fixed shifts exclusively in early, afternoon, or evening slots are not available
• Overtime options at premium pay rates are offered, especially on extra shifts and bank holidays

Candidate Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Hold a valid UK driving licence with minimum 6 months driving experience
• No more than 6 penalty points on the driving licence
• Must successfully pass a drug and alcohol screening prior to assessment
• Required to pass an English language comprehension test
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to engage with customers
• Flexibility to work shifts starting as early as 4 AM and finishing by 1 AM, depending on shift assignment

Employee Benefits

• Exclusive access to Arriva Village offering store discounts and special offers
• Employee assistance programmes supporting wellbeing
• Complimentary bus travel for employees and their household family members
• Enrollment in the company workplace pension scheme
• Opportunities for career progression and professional growth
• Recognition through long service awards
• Entitlement to 20 days of annual leave plus bank holidays

Diversity and Inclusion

Arriva values the diverse backgrounds, skills, and cultures of its workforce. We strive to maintain an inclusive environment, recognizing that diversity drives talent development and contributes significantly to our collective success.