Young engineers on road to employment at South Shields bus depot

Young people who have completed the National Citizen Service (NCS) are guaranteed first interviews for the award-winning Stagecoach North East apprenticeship scheme.

The company’s four-year bus engineers programme runs across six depots, including South Shields and Sunderland.

Graduate Simeon Sayer, 16, said: “Having done NCS, I know first-hand that it develops the skills and confidence needed to get on in life and work.

“It’s brilliant that Stagecoach North East is recognising this by offering guaranteed apprenticeship interviews for NCS graduates.”

Through NCS, teenagers deliver a community project that tackles an issue they are passionate about.

Last year, participants contributed more than 229,000 volunteering hours – representing an investment of £962,000 in the region’s economy.

Steve Walker, managing director of Stagecoach North East, said: “The NCS programme is a tremendous opportunity for young people in the region to develop an excellent range of skills before pursuing their chosen career paths.

“We hope that by offering a guaranteed first interview to NCS graduates, we’re enhancing this great initiative and contributing to its success.”

Maxine Tennet, director of operations for vInspired, which together with National Youth Agency (NYA) delivers NCS in the North East, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for NCS graduates, who’ve already built skills and had real world work experience through the programme.”

“Stagecoach North East is demonstrating commendable vision and is supporting life-changing opportunities for young people in our region.”

Paul Carbert, policy adviser at North East England Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are delighted two Chamber members are joining together to help young people get started in their career.

“NCS is an excellent scheme for building employability skills and resilience, so it is good to see that Stagecoach North East has recognised the value of this for their apprenticeship scheme.”

Guaranteed first interviews for the Stagecoach North East apprenticeship scheme, starting September/October, are on offer to NCS graduates in the North East, who can apply online at www.stagecoachbus.com.

Thousands of young people have already secured their place on the next NCS programme, which is open to all 16-17 year olds and takes place during the summer school holidays.

Places cost just £50 (£10 for those eligible for free school meals), which includes residential stays, transport, food, training, activities and more.

Teenagers who are yet to book are urged to visit www.ncsnortheast.co.uk or call 0191 247 4020 to reserve their place.