He started his career journey on the buses as a humble engineering apprentice 21 years ago – and now Sam Cockburn is taking the lead as Engineering Manager at Transdev’s Harrogate headquarters in northern England.
Sam first walked through the gates of the Transdev’s Starbeck depot in Harrogate in July 2001 as one of its first two apprentices and never looked back.
And now the apprentice turned leader is telling his story during National Apprenticeship Week, taking place across the UK until Sunday, February 13, to encourage others to choose a career on the buses – and as Transdev drives ahead with its 2022 recruitment campaign with the key message “I did it, so can you”.
I would say to anyone that my experience shows how it’s possible to build a great career with us – I started as an apprentice and now I’m Engineering Manager, responsible for providing safe and reliable buses for the community in my hometown. I’d contacted 27 potential employers without success when my mum, who was an accountant with the bus company at that time, suggested to them that they could offer apprenticeships. Thankfully they liked the idea, and in July 2001 I became one of their first two apprentice engineers.
Sam Cockburn, Engineering Manager at Transdev’s Harrogate headquarters in northern England
Sam spent his early years learning every aspect of the job, while studying away from home in four-week blocks at Tile Hill College in Coventry. Completing his course as the highest performing student, he qualified for the BTEC National Certificate in Engineering – preparing him for the next step up the career ladder back in Harrogate.
Back in Harrogate I worked my way up to become a Shift Fitter, then MoT Inspector, responsible for preparing buses for safety tests. In October 2019 I moved to a coach operator near York to widen my experience and see the world of engineering from a different perspective, but when the pandemic hit the coaching industry in 2020, I came back to Transdev here in Harrogate as Acting Supervisor, while still working as a Fitter to support the team.
Sam Cockburn, Engineering Manager at Transdev’s Harrogate headquarters in northern England
Last month, Sam completed his Transport Manager CPC qualification, adding to his extensive experience and skills and making him the ideal candidate to lead the Harrogate engineering team.
Throughout his career so far with us, Sam has shown the dedication and commitment to become a skilled leader. His eye for detail and focus on safety has taken him from apprentice to manager, and he has a bright future to look forward to in the years ahead. As Sam’s story shows, we offer an amazing career to people who share Sam’s determination to succeed. As we now say to everyone thinking of joining us – Sam did it, so can you.
Vitto Pizzuti, Transdev Operations Director
This week marks the 15th annual National Apprenticeship Week, a celebration of apprenticeships which brings together businesses and apprenticeships across the country to spotlight the positive impact apprenticeships make on individuals, businesses and the wider UK economy.
Details of all career opportunities with Transdev’s 10 bus operators across Yorkshire and Lancashire, including Step Up, the company’s ground-breaking fast-track people development program, are online at transdevbus.co.uk/make-your-mark.