Transport apprenticeships

Giving you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in keeping the country moving while earning a wage, transport apprenticeships are available across road, rail, aviation and logistics functions

What is a transport apprenticeship?

A transport apprenticeship is a structured training scheme that allows you to earn a wage while learning on the job, combining practical experience and classroom study.

If you've decided that university isn't for you, an apprenticeship can open doors to a variety of careers and can provide a viable alternative to university.

What level of apprenticeship can I take?

Transport apprenticeships are available at the following levels:

• intermediate - equivalent to five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C)
• advanced - comparable to two A-level passes
• higher - equivalent to the first year of a Bachelors degree, HNC, HND or foundation degree
• degree - comparable to a Bachelors or Masters degree.

What kinds of transport apprenticeships are available?

Road and railway:

• passenger transport driver
• passenger transport operations
• rail infrastructure operator.

Automotive:

• large goods vehicle driver
• motor vehicle and service technician
• urban driver.

Aviation:

• aviation customer services operative
• air traffic controller
• cabin crew.

Logistics:

• port operative
• supply chain practitioner
• supply chain warehouse operative.

Which companies offer transport apprenticeships?

• Airbus - degree apprenticeships in over 14 disciplines are on offer. This includes programmes in the supply chain, engineering, manufacturing and assembly teams.
• Aston Martin - intermediate, advanced and higher awards are on offer in areas including manufacturing, paint, commercial, engineering, IT and design.
• BMW - programmes available in aftersales customer service, body shop, motorcycles, genius training and sales.
• Boeing - opportunities are available in aircraft maintenance, aircraft fabrication and flight services. As well as roles in business administration, information technology, human resources and talent acquisition.
• British Airways - apprenticeships are split across customer, business and operations where you’ll find roles including the 18-month Customer Service route, the three year Business Professional option and Heathrow Aircraft Maintenance, which takes three years to complete.
• Co-op - offers a Level 2 LGV Driver apprenticeship where it won’t cost you any money to get your licence.
• DHL - there is a four year Women in Supply degree apprenticeship and an 18-month Level 3 Transport Planner apprenticeship on offer.
• Mercedes Benz - on the three-year scheme, you'll have the opportunity to train as a light vehicle technician, parts operations specialist or heavy vehicle technician, while attending the company's apprentice academy in Milton Keynes.
• National Highways - engineering, digital, customer service, construction and project management are just some of the routes on offer.
• Network Rail - available in Levels 3,4 and 6 opportunities are available in areas including Rail Engineering Technician (Level 3), Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (Level 4) and Signalling and Control Systems (Level 6).
• Nissan - apprenticeships are split between technical and production roles. Technical programmes include Maintenance Technician, Die Maintenance Technician and Production Quality Support Apprentice. While production schemes cover Special Skills (Paint and Vehicle Repair), Manufacturing and Kaizen Innovation. Schemes take between two and five years to complete.
• Transport for London (TfL) - four apprenticeship strands which are business, engineering, London Underground and rail and technology. This covers everything from signalling design (Level 3) to software development (Level 4).
• Volvo - provides Heavy Vehicle and Aftersales Advanced Apprenticeship routes.
• Virgin Atlantic - Level 3 apprenticeships as an Engineering Technician and Airline Operations (Aviation Ground Specialist) are available.

What do transport apprenticeships involve?

The tasks and responsibility you are given  differ depending on the type and level of your apprenticeship. For example, the structure and content of a Level 2 LGV driver apprenticeship will vary considerably from a Level 6 in Signalling and Control Systems.

The company that you work for and even where in the country you’re based will also affect your apprenticeship, so make sure you do some research before applying to find the right programme.

Whatever your apprenticeship you will still combine full-time employment with part-time study. You could be allocated one day a week to attend college or university, or study in scheduled blocks of a week or more.

Assessment methods vary but are generally a mix of essays, coursework and practical and written exams.

Here are some examples of tasks you'll be expected to complete as a transport and logistics apprentice:

• The Level 3 apprenticeship in Airline Operations (Aviation Ground Specialist) at Virgin Atlantic takes 18 months to complete. You’ll work across the Airport, Flight Planning, Crewing, Operations and Customer teams to deliver exceptional customer service at London Heathrow alongside resolving ticket issues and learning how they deliver their day-to-day flying programme.
• On Boeings Aircraft Fabrication apprenticeship you’ll be trained in all disciplines of machining, including milling and turning along with general hand fitting skills. Based in Sheffield you’ll learn to use cutting-edge equipment to produce parts.
• Those on the Level 3 Transport Planner apprenticeship at DHL will gain hands-on-experience of procurement and supplier management, forecasting customer demand and gathering, interpreting and utilising data.

What are the entry requirements?

To apply for an intermediate (Level 2) apprenticeship you don't need any previous qualifications, while for an advanced apprenticeship (Level 3) you'll typically need GCSE passes in English, maths and science.

Higher and degree apprenticeships (Levels 4, 5 and 6) are generally for those with A-levels or those who have already completed an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship.

If you have a Bachelors degree or have previously completed a degree apprenticeship then a Masters apprenticeship (Level 7) is your next step.

Entry requirements will vary so you’ll need to check the specific scheme and employer to see what’s needed, but generally you will need to be:

• 16 years old although some roles, such as train driver, require you to be over 18 years old for legal and safety reasons
• medically fit as roles such as train driving, bus driving, or aviation often require passing a vision, hearing or fitness test
• living in England and not in full-time education.

What skills do I need to succeed as a transport apprentice?

The specific skills you need will differ depending on the type of apprenticeship you do and the level it's at. Generally you need a mix of practical and soft skills which can include:

• Basic mechanical knowledge - to help understand how vehicles or transport systems work.
• Safety awareness - as following strict safety protocols is critical.
• IT and digital literacy - many transport roles involve tracking systems, scheduling software, or diagnostics tools.
• Problem-solving skills - things don't always work as they should so being able to troubleshoot and fix unexpected issues is important.
• Clear communication - whether you're speaking with a team, supervisors, or customers, being clear and professional matters.
• Teamwork - transport often relies on coordination between many people (drivers, planners, engineers, etc.) so you’ll need to be comfortable working in a team.
• Punctuality and reliability - this is especially important in a time-sensitive industry like transport.
• Attention to detail - small mistakes can lead to delays or safety risks.
• Learning mindset - apprenticeships are all about growth and you’ll need to be able to pick up new systems, vehicles, or technologies as they evolve.
• Flexibility - working hours can vary (e.g., early mornings, nights, weekends).
• Customer service skills - if you're in public transport or logistics where you interact with clients or passengers, good customer service skills are a big plus.
• Basic maths knowledge - this is useful for planning, measuring loads, or understanding technical drawings for example.

How much are transport apprentices paid?

You’re entitled to the National Minimum Wage (NMW), which currently stands at £7.55 per hour (from April 2025) for apprentices under 19, and those aged over 19 who are in their first year.

As an apprentice you'll be paid for your normal working hours and any training that you undertake. You're entitled to at least 20 days' paid holiday per year, plus bank holidays.

Salaries are determined by individual employers but in most cases you'll be paid more than the NMW. For example:

• British Airways pays £19,420 to those on the Business Professional apprenticeship and £15,035 (increasing in year two and three) for the Heathrow Aircraft Maintenance route.
• The Level 3 Operations Signalling and Control at TfL pays £27,944 and its Level 4 Procurement and Supply Chain apprenticeship offers a salary of £26,559.
• Network Rail offers £20,500 to those on their Level 4 Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Apprenticeship and £24,500 for their Level 6 Rail & Rail Systems Engineer Apprenticeship - Signalling & Control Systems.

How do I become a transport apprentice?

You should apply for an apprenticeship in the same way you would a job. Research the organisation, be aware of what the apprenticeship involves, and tailor your application to each job.

You’ll apply online through an application form, but check with the employer as this can vary - some may also require an up-to-date CV and cover letter. Be prepared to use relevant examples of your experience to support your application. For inspiration, take a look at our example apprenticeship cover letter.

As part of the application process you may have to sit situational judgement, numerical and psychometric tests, as well as attend an assessment centre or insight day. Some companies also use video interviews as part of their recruitment process.

Get tips on applying for an apprenticeship.

Am I guaranteed a job at the end?

Most of the time, yes. After an organisation has spent time and money on training you they will want to make sure those qualifications and skills stay within the business. So as long as you perform well and meet your targets you will get a full-time job upon successful completion or your apprenticeship.

Before you accept a role it is worth double checking this with the employer.

Find out more

• Gain an insight into the transport and logistics sector.
• Discover how to apply for an apprenticeship.