Fast-growing Wrightbus employs more than 70 apprentices, and is aiming to recruit a further 60
Wrightbus chief executive Jean-Marc Gales (left) with apprentice recruits
Apprentices are part of the lifeblood of Wrightbus – the innovative Northern Ireland-based manufacturer that is one of the leading names in zero-emission transport technology.
Wrightbus is one of the fastest growing manufacturing firms in the UK. It is the number one zero-emission bus manufacturer in the country and the fastest growing bus manufacturer in the whole of Europe.
And it is showing no sign of slowing in 2025, with its strongest ever start to a year, which looks set to break all records. Almost 200 new buses entered service in January and more than 1,200 buses will have left the factory by the end of the year, with orders destined for fleets across the UK and Germany.
Wrightbus, which currently employs 2,200 people, is looking to increase its workforce in the coming months to keep up with demand, with hundreds of new jobs available across a number of areas of the business.
And key to the company’s recruitment policy is apprenticeships. Wrightbus already employs more than 70 apprentices, and is aiming to recruit a further 60.
Roles include Level Three manufacturing engineering, Level Three mechanical engineering, fabrication welding, coachbuilding, driveline operatives, spray painting, and electrical. Wrightbus is also offering apprenticeships in the new areas of logistics, purchasing and administration.
“Apprentices are an incredible asset for our company; they bring with them fresh enthusiasm and invaluable ways of thinking, helping us all grow and develop new ideas, processes, solutions and products,” says
Jean-Marc Gales, Wrightbus chief executive.
“Over the last few years Wrightbus has continued to grow and expand in the UK, the island of Ireland and across Europe. Our apprentices already make a valuable contribution to our work and now we have excellent opportunities for more candidates who are ready to kick start their careers while gaining recognised qualifications, invaluable work experience and earning as they learn.”
Earlier this week, Wrightbus held an Apprenticeship Insight Day for people aged 16 and over. The event gave would-be apprentices the opportunity to meet engineers, tour Wrightbus’s state-of-the-art Ballymena factory and get a feel for the entire bus build process.
Apprentices are an incredible asset for our company; they bring with them fresh enthusiasm and invaluable ways of thinking
Next week, the company will hold an Apprenticeship Open Night for people interested in apprenticeships, as well as their parents or guardians.
Ciaran O’Kane is a first year electrical engineering apprentice who moved from a role in logistics so she could start her apprenticeship.
He said: “I started in Wrightbus in January 2023 as a logistics operator. I loved the work/life balance but wanted more. By May 2023 I had started a VIE apprenticeship and over the last nine months I have learned so much and developed so many skills. I very much look forward to what the next couple of years will bring.”
Éirinn Lavelle has just completed her fourth year electrical engineering apprenticeship.
“I have really enjoyed these years so far as I have constantly been learning new skills and information about my job,” she said.
“Everyone is very helpful and a good craic! I would like to progress more in the future – expanding my knowledge and skills.”
Pearse McGill is in the first year of a mechanical engineering (coachbuilding) apprenticeship.
He said: “My first year of apprenticeship has been a rewarding journey so far, and I am excited to see it opening many doors to a promising career. As an individual who followed a career path to university and it didn’t work out, the apprenticeship at Wrightbus has given me the chance to reskill and train in an industry that I love being in.”
Jean-Marc added: “The apprenticeship programmes on offer provide the opportunity to earn as you learn, gain recognised qualifications, and begin a career journey where the sky’s the limit,” said Jean-Marc.
“At Wrightbus, we are passionate about the importance of green skills and green technology and about championing and encouraging apprentices every step of the way.”
This story appears inside the latest issue of Passenger Transport.
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