Bus driver salaries have increased by 30%: why the industry is looking for thousands of workers.

Job vacancies for bus drivers are increasing

According to The Sun: Looking for a job to cope with rising living costs? Consider becoming a bus driver.

Bus and minibus driver salaries have risen by almost 30% from 2021 to 2024, significantly exceeding the average salary growth rate of 20% for other sectors.

A shortage of drivers and rising passenger numbers have led to increased wages in the sector, covering both scheduled bus routes as well as long-distance, chartered, and local bus services.

Currently, there are over 82,000 bus drivers working in the country. However, many of them are approaching retirement age, leading to 6.8% of vacancies in the sector.

As for minibus drivers, the situation is even worse — 14.6% of vacancies remain unfilled according to the Confederation of Passenger Transport.

The industry is devising various ways to attract new specialists, including lowering the minimum age for drivers, actively recruiting women and young specialists, as well as initiatives to improve working conditions and retain employees.

Working as a local bus driver can be a great option if you are looking for a flexible schedule that allows you to balance work with other commitments, especially for parents returning to work or retirees looking to improve their income.

In addition to driver positions, there are also support vacancies for engineers, vehicle builders, and loaders across the country.

One of the largest bus companies in the UK, Stagecoach, plans to recruit 1,000 drivers and 100 engineers.

Vacancies are open to anyone over the age of 18.

Charlotte Nichols, an assistant engineer at the company, started her career as an intern in 2017.

“My days consist of checking service schedules, checking fleet availability, and troubleshooting any issues that might affect service.”

“Every day brings a sense of purpose, knowing that our work really matters to the people around us.”

“The bus sector is a friendly and rewarding industry.”

Training drivers need a driving license with fewer than six points, while professionals must obtain a PCV license.

“We are a company with a proud history and a bright future, and it's exciting to be part of a team that is constantly evolving and striving to do the right thing,”

London-based company Go-Ahead plans to recruit 1,500 women bus drivers by 2025 and has created a special Go-Ahead Women network to support female staff.

“We want more women in the bus industry, and that means creating a friendly and inclusive working environment.”

Applications for vacancies can be submitted at:

• stagecoachbus.com/careers
• goaheadlondon.com/careers
• womeninbusandcoach.org.uk/jobs
• careers.nationalexpress.com

New program at Revolut

The banking app Revolut plans to recruit over 200 graduates and interns as part of its expanded 'Rev-celerator' program.

The scheme involves a ten-week internship and a year-long program for graduates.

In the last three years, 70% of interns received permanent positions after completing the program.

The company is also introducing a relocation package for new employees to Barcelona, Dubai, Krakow, London, or Madrid.

“We are focused on the next generation of innovators and providing them with the skills to succeed in today’s working environment,”

Applications are accepted until December 14 at revolut.com/careers.

Audition at Butlin's

Looking for a chance to join the Butlin’s team as a red coat? This famous holiday camp is seeking talented individuals from the UK to join its entertainment team next year, as the brand celebrates its 90th anniversary.

There will also be auditions for vocalists and dancers for the new Theatre Of Rock show, as well as actors for the Jack And The Beanstalk play and multi-talented performers for the children’s show Skyline Gang.

TV show host Stephen Mulhern, EastEnders star Shane Richie, and children's TV legend Johnny Ball all started their careers at Butlin’s.

Pre-registration for auditions can be done at jobs.butlins.com/entertainment, to attend an audition this month and in November in Bognor Regis, Minehead, or Skegness.

Myths about career advice

With the rise of TikTok and a plethora of self-proclaimed experts on social media, career advice has become extremely popular.

But is it really that helpful?

“Bad career advice is everywhere, and it can do more harm than good,”

Here are some of the most common myths:

• CHANGE JOBS EVERY TWO YEARS: There is a belief that salary increases when transitioning to a new company will be significantly higher than what stable employees receive. But this doesn’t factor in the value of raises that come with promotions — it generally takes two years to reach that level in a company, so frequent switching pauses your career growth.
• AUTOMATE YOUR JOB APPLICATIONS: There are now many AI-based services that help with resumes and job matching. However, without considering your strengths, ambitions, and financial goals, you risk pursuing roles that may not align with your true aspirations.
• NEVER ACCEPT THE FIRST SALARY OFFER: Many people believe that employers try to pay as little as possible. But many managers know that underpaid workers don't stay put. Define your expectations before submitting applications and conduct research.
• INTERNAL DEVELOPMENT DOES NOT MEAN EARNING YOUR KEEP: While hard work doesn't guarantee advancement, managers always prefer employees who are good investments of resources. Influence and visibility matter. Treat your job as a mutually beneficial arrangement: you work hard, they reward your work. If you notice you’re giving more than you’re getting, it may be time to consider a job change.
• THIS JOB IS PROTECTED FROM AI SELECTION: No industry is completely safe from AI. Technology is changing jobs but not completely replacing them. If you are concerned about long-term employment, think about the skills that helped you get into this field, as they may still be valuable in the future.