Bee Network: 15 new apprenticeship roles created at Greater Manchester-based bus manufacturer

This is part of the Bee Network’s plan to boost homegrown manufacturing, and one of the beneficiaries is local bus firm Mellor. 15 new apprentice roles have been created at the company that is one of several across the UK to build new buses. 

Mellor is building 28 buses, 21 of which are currently in service and the remaining 7 will operate early next year across the south of Greater Manchester. These buses will serve this part of the region that will come under local control in January.  

The new fleet consists of smaller buses and will serve smaller local estates and communities, with the compact buses specifically designed for narrower roads in more rural and outlying areas. These areas were often not prioritised by operators before franchising, with companies tending to target busier, more profitable routes.

The apprentices receive on- the- job training, working alongside a highly skilled workforce who often act as mentors. They also have a college day which backs up what they are learning on the job.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham visited Mellor in Rochdale earlier this month. He spoke about how it was good to meet the apprentices who have a “bright future” ahead of them. 

 Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Greater Manchester is proving the case for change when it comes to public transport. As the first area to re-take control of our buses in almost 40 years, we are keeping fares down, improving the reliability and standard of buses and getting more people back onboard through the Bee Network.  

“We are also proving how investment in public transport supports economic growth, not just in Greater Manchester but across the UK, with franchise contracts and bus orders helping to secure jobs and deliver new ones – like those at Mellor in Rochdale. I was particularly pleased to meet the young apprentices with bright futures ahead of them and who are benefitting thanks to the Bee Network, and as we develop our plans to transform technical education through the MBacc, we want to encourage even more young people into the industry.”