Bus Engineering Technician
Kian is a Bus Engineering Technician for First Bus
My job is to keep buses running smoothly and safely.
I repair buses when they break down and I also do regular checks to find and fix issues before they become problems.
If a bus isn’t working properly, it can’t pick people up – and that means someone might be late for work or school. I help get buses back on the road, which means people can get where they need to be.
The best part is when I’ve fixed a bus, and then I see it driving around town full of passengers. It’s rewarding to know that all the hard work was worth it.
I also love the independence. Sometimes I’m the only one in the workshop in the evening, and I get to just crack on with things. It’s peaceful, and I can focus on doing a good job.
One bus I worked on had a huge engine failure. I spent weeks replacing almost every part. I did the turbo, filters, compressor, injectors and loads more. I even wrote my name and the date on everything I repaired.
It’s the job I’m most proud of. That bus hasn’t come back in with a problem yet and seeing it on the road makes me smile.
Patience is really important. Some jobs take ages and need to be done carefully.
You also need to be good at remembering things, like what faults mean and how you fixed them before. It helps you spot and fix problems if they come up again.
I’ve also had to learn how to use tools properly and safely, and how engines work.
Problem-solving skills, managing your time and knowing when to ask for help are all important too.
The workshop is full of people with years of experience. Some have worked here for 30 years. When I was an apprentice, I learnt loads from the experienced mechanics, electricians and bodywork specialists.
Everyone knows each other and helps each other out. Even the managers are easy to talk to. It feels like a big, slightly chaotic family where everyone looks out for one another.
Definitely my torque wrenches. They’re used to tighten nuts and bolts – they have an indicator which clicks when you get to the angle or tightness you need, so you can be really precise and not damage engine parts by over-tightening them.
The company gives us tools, but I bought my own wrench set because I like them to be clean and ready whenever I need them. I even take my gloves off before using them because I don’t want them to get dirty!
I’m a big car fan and I’m always working on my Ford Focus ST and I look after my girlfriend’s car too. I’m part of a Ford owners’ group and I also help run the Boys’ Brigade youth group every Wednesday when I’m not on shift.
At home we also have three cats, including a stray we rescued who had kittens. They keep us very busy and entertained!
Passing my apprenticeship first time felt amazing.
Just a year before, I was behind on my work and was worried I might fail, but I turned it around and smashed it!
People might not realise how high-tech modern buses are, we always start by looking at the diagnostics, using laptops to connect to the buses’ onboard computers to find out what’s wrong. It tells me all the faults stored in the system.
Then I follow that information to clean, repair or replace parts and test it again before it goes back out on the road.
Now I’m qualified, I want to keep getting better at what I do.
I’d love to take on more complex jobs, keep learning and maybe one day train apprentices too.
Be yourself and don’t give up – find what you love and go for it. And be happy to put the effort into what you want to do, because if you don’t put anything in, you won’t get anything out.
Also, if you need help, ask, and keep going even when things feel hard. I didn’t always get the support I needed in school, but I kept going and now I’ve got a job I really enjoy. I never thought I’d end up working on the buses I used to ride as a kid, but here I am.
Discover what qualifications you’ll need, how much you can earn, and what the next steps are.
