WHARFEDALE and Aireborough students are being urged to consider a career in bus engineering.

First West Yorkshire, which runs many services across the region, is making the call due after discovering a shortage of local interest in the field.

The company currently has a number of engineering vacancies available but has struggled to fill them - and is keen to work with local students, and colleges, to change that.

The bus operator already works with Manchester College to recruit trainee apprentices working towards achieving the required qualification, and wants to involve West Yorkshire colleges too.

Engineering Manager at First Leeds, Craig Brown, said: "Our dedicated team give their all to make sure our customers can enjoy services that offer unparalleled safety and reliability, but more recently we have come across difficulties with finding new recruits to fill the roles of staff who have recently retired.

"We have a fantastic apprentice scheme, which allows apprentices into the business to learn first-hand how to work with our vehicles - but we need the support of local colleges to ensure we continue to promote these jobs to young people.

"There are lots of opportunities at First West Yorkshire for talented engineers.

"The work ranges from bulb replacements to major unit repairs, with scope to progress.

"We help our engineers with training and development and support them as they advance through the company."

The firm's appeal was timed to tie in with International Women in Engineering Day, which this year fell on Friday, June 23.

STEM Director at Leeds City College, Vicki Slater, added: "It’s fantastic to see more and more females thinking about a career in the industry and we look forward to working with forward thinking employers who wish to support the engineering talent of the future."