An East Lancashire bus operator is offering £40,000 a year for people upon completion of a three year apprenticeship programme.

Transdev is offering an engineering apprenticeship, promising successful candidates a qualification and a passenger carrying vehicle driving licence upon completion.

The firm is set to host recruitment events for those looking to secure an apprenticeship on August 27 and 28.

Matthew Glass, 24, is set to complete his apprenticeship and qualify as a skilled Level 3 engineer at Transdev’s The Blackburn Bus Company.

Mr Glass, from nearby Darwen, grew up in an engineering family, with his dad being a car mechanic.

He said: "Initially, I was unsure about what career path to pursue.

"I took a job in a betting shop while exploring different options, but I knew I wanted to do an apprenticeship because it offered hands-on learning while earning a wage."

He said when he looked under a bus for the first time it was “a bit overwhelming” and “the responsibility of ensuring that a vehicle is safe for passengers was daunting".

However, three years on, he is confident in his ability to complete most tasks in the workshop.

He continued: "My colleagues have been incredibly supportive throughout my apprenticeship.

"Although I attended college in one-week blocks every six weeks, most of my learning happened on the job.

"My colleagues have always taken the time to explain how things work and answer any questions I had.

"Even now, if I’m unsure about something, they are more than happy to help."

He added: “Working in the engineering industry teaches you so many valuable skills, particularly problem-solving and understanding how things work.

"These skills are transferable to many different situations in life. It’s an interesting job where no two days are the same, and you’re constantly learning and improving.

"My advice to those considering an apprenticeship is … go for it."