ZF Aftermarket has delivered a four-week technical training programme for 30 apprentices from Go-Ahead Group as part of efforts to develop engineering skills within the bus sector.
Delivered to groups of apprentices over a four-week period, the course was intended to help apprentices apply their technical knowledge to routine servicing, maintenance and fault-finding while reinforcing safe workshop practices.
The programme combined classroom learning with practical workshop sessions involving systems and components commonly found across passenger transport fleets, and forms part of ZF’s wider work to support skills development and knowledge-sharing within the sector.
Training began with an introduction to ZF and its product portfolio before moving to sessions covering gearboxes, axles, Wabco systems, diagnostic equipment and electric drive motors.
The gearbox element included an overview of the ZF EcoLife transmission alongside basic maintenance requirements such as oil change intervals.
Apprentices also observed a kingpin replacement demonstration and examined a stripped rear axle to learn more about its internal components and operation.
Further sessions explored axle maintenance and differences in component design and application.
Diagnostic training included practical experience of the Testman and ZF Scan systems and the programme concluded with an introduction to electric drive motors, including their purpose, location and maintenance requirements.
Six of the 30 participants were female, representing 20% of the apprentice group.
David Wakeling, ZF Aftermarket’s UK Head of CV Services, said: “Developing the next generation of technicians is incredibly important for the coach and bus sector, particularly as the technology they will be working with continues to evolve.”
