FAQs

We have put together a list of the most Frequently Asked Questions by enquirers to GoSkills. These are grouped by industry.

Aviation
Q) Do I need a degree to be a pilot?
A) No. There are many varied routes to becoming a pilot but almost none of them require the applicant to have a degree. Most training companies and airline employers will require applicants to have at least GCSEs at grades A-C (or equivalent) in English, maths and science and some will also require A levels (or equivalent) to include a Science/Technology subject. There is the possibility of studying for a degree which also includes basic flight training.

Q) Do airlines provide sponsorship for learning to fly?
A) Some airlines do offer sponsorship, or bursary programmes, however these are becoming increasingly rare. There are several trade associations which do offer programmes that provide financial support – however competition for funding can be fierce. Visit the Royal Aeronautical Society and the British Airline Pilots Association websites for more information (www.raes.org.uk and www.balpa.org.uk).

Q) Are there any height and age restrictions for working as cabin crew?
A) Due to health and safety, there are restrictions on height for members of cabin crew. Although the heights may vary slightly between employers, the usual restrictions are that cabin crew must measure between 5ft 2inches (157cm) and 6ft 2inches (188cm). Cabin crew usually need to be at least 18 years old, although this again can vary between airlines. There is no maximum age limit for employment, though the mandatory retirement age is 65.

Q) What qualifications do I need to work in an airport?
A) Many aviation roles do not require any particular academic qualifications except for literacy and numeracy skills. Experience can be just as important as qualifications, especially in customer facing roles.


Bus
Q) What category of licence do I need to drive a bus?
A) To drive a bus you need a category D licence. This can be obtained by undertaking specific driver training and then taking a theory and practical test. Alongside this, to become a driver for a bus company, you need to achieve your certificate of professional competence – this requires further training and again you have to pass a theory and a practical test. You do not necessarily have to have a category D licence and the certificate of professional competence before being employed as a driver, as some companies recruit trainees and provide all of the necessary training.

Q) How old do I have to be to be able to drive a bus?
A) The minimum age to drive a bus is 18 – at this age you can train to get your certificate of professional competence and your category D licence. You can also drive a regular route which has restricted speed (50km an hour or under). For all other routes you need to be 21.


Coach
Q) What category of licence do I need to be a coach driver?
A) To drive a coach you need a category D licence. This can be obtained by undertaking specific driver training and then taking a theory and practical test. Alongside this, to become a driver for a coach company, you need to achieve your certificate of professional competence – this requires further training and again you have to pass a theory and a practical test. You do not necessarily have to have a category D licence and the certificate of professional competence before being employed as a driver, as some companies recruit trainees and provide all of the necessary training.

Q) How old do I have to be to be able to drive a coach?
A) The minimum age to drive a coach is 18 – at this age you can train to get your certificate of professional competence and your category D licence. You can also drive a regular route which has restricted speed (50km an hour or under). For all other routes you need to be 21.


Community Transport
Q) Do I need a special licence to drive a minibus?
A) No particular licence is required for a minibus with less than 9 seats, but to drive one with 9 or more seats requires a category D licence. To obtain this and to drive a category D licence vehicle you need to be at least 18.


Driver Training
Q) Do I need to have worked as a driving instructor to become a driving examiner?
A) No. To be an examiner you need to have driving experience and sound judgement, but you do not need to have been an instructor.


Light Rail, Tram & Metro
Q) How do I train as a tram driver?
A) Tram drivers can get employed as trainees and are provided with the required training by their employer. There is no training that you can do outside of work. Many light rail, tram and metro companies recruit their drivers from within their workforce so if you are interested in becoming a tram driver it can be worth looking at other roles, such as passenger services positions.


Rail
Q) Where can I train to be a train driver?
A) The only way to receive the required training to become a train driver is to get employed by a train operating company as a trainee. There are no training courses that can be done in advance of gaining employment. To become a train driver you can apply for a trainee position, or you can look for other roles in the industry, such as on train crew or station staff, and then apply for trainee driver roles when they are advertised internally. It is now more common practice for train operating companies to recruit drivers from within their workforce. 
   
Q) How do I get my personal track safety (PTS) card?
A) The most common route to getting the PTS card is to be ‘sponsored’ by an employer – in other words, an employer can take you on without a PTS card and then will provide you with the required training. In this situation, employers can include rail employment agencies that may provide you with the necessary training before placing you in any work. At the moment it is quite common to see vacancies which require possession of a PTS card as companies are trying to save money on training – however it can be worth approaching agencies to see what training is available. Rail employment agencies can be found by searching on the internet or by looking at specialist rail magazines.


Taxi & Private Hire
Q) Is there any difference between taxi and private hire work?
A) Taxis are licensed to ‘ply for trade’ and collect passengers from the roadside and also to take bookings for journeys. Private hire operators may only collect pre-booked passengers and may not be flagged down on the street. With taxis, the fares that are taken are regulated by a local authority; the taxi must also have a fare meter fitted which shows the cost of the journey. Private hire vehicles are not required to have a fare meter and in many cases do not have fares regulated either.

Q) Do I need a special licence to drive a taxi or private hire vehicle?
A) Yes. Both taxi and private hire drivers must obtain a licence from their local authority/council licensing office. To obtain a licence, drivers need to have held a standard car driving licence for a set period of time (usually 12 months, but can by up to 3 years in some areas such as London) and must undergo a criminal records check. Some local authorities may also require applicants to take tests in driving skills and local road knowledge and may require them to have a medical check. Drivers also have to put their vehicles through checks to ensure that they are roadworthy and fit for use.


Transport Planning
Q) Do I have to have a degree to become a transport planner?
A) At present, a degree is the most common requirement for applicants to the transport planning industry. Whilst work is underway to develop entry pathways without degrees that are accepted by employers, these are not yet in common use in the industry. Entry into the industry can be made in an assistant-type role, providing support services to transport planning technicians and to transport planners. For this level of entry, degrees are not required.