- A Record 23 Graduates to begin FirstGroup Scheme in September 2014
- A Record 1,023 Graduates Applied to Join 2014 FirstGroup Scheme
Shalando Williams, currently on the FirstGroup Graduate scheme and supporting First Aberdeen and First Glasgow.
FirstGroup, the leading transport operator in the UK and North America, has revealed it is set to increase its graduate intake by around 65%. In September 2014, 23 graduates will begin working for First in the UK across its Bus, Rail and Group functions. In 2013, FirstGroup’s graduate intake was 14.
First also said that its graduate scheme this year has attracted a record number of applications – 1,023 in total.
John Evans, FirstGroup’s HR Director, said: “Our Graduate Programme has been an overwhelming success. Extending the scheme by around two thirds reflects the huge contribution that our graduates make to the business, both whilst on the Programme and as they go on to develop their careers with First. Indeed colleagues who have graduated occupy many senior positions across our Bus and Rail Divisions. In extending the Scheme we hope to build on that success and encourage even more people to develop their careers at First.”
He added: “I’m pleased too that our Programme continues to attract record volumes of applicants. I’m thrilled with the response rate and in particular with the quality of candidate that is approaching First. We are attracting students with tremendous pedigree and potential.”
Duncan Cameron began his career at First in 2002 on the Graduate Programme and after a number of roles was appointed head of First Aberdeen in 2012. “The experience I gained whilst on the Graduate Programme was invaluable,” he said. “I experienced almost every aspect of running a bus company. The Scheme has undoubtedly helped me and many of my graduate colleagues secure senior positions within First.”
All 14 members of FirstGroup’s 2013 intake remain with the business and will shortly begin the second half of their two year Programmes.
Shalando Williams (23) is nine months into his Bus Operations Programme and has just finished a three month placement at ScotRail. He’s now providing support to First Aberdeen and First Glasgow, having worked at both companies prior to his placement.
“The scheme has been fantastic,” he said. “I’ve experienced First’s operations, including ScotRail, across Scotland and have worked with almost every function within the bus division including Commercial, Finance, Operations, HR, Scheduling and Network Planning.
He continued: “I have been extremely impressed with the level of investment in staff learning and development. First’s vision, culture and the local management teams are all focused on delivering our promise to customers, ’Better Journeys for Life.’
“I'm looking forward to developing my career with FirstGroup and the Graduate Development Programme has given me a great platform to build on.”
FirstGroup graduates undertake a comprehensive workplace training schedule over two years at various locations across First’s UK operations and within various functions in the company’s Bus and Rail divisions. FirstGroup offers three programmes: Engineering, Operations and Commercial, the latter being introduced for the first time in 2013.
ENDS
For more information, please contact Niall Dowds, First UK Bus Head of External Communications, on 07860 936671 or email [email protected]
NOTES TO EDITORS
FirstGroup plc is the leading transport operator in the UK and North America with revenues of more than £6.9 billion a year. We employ approximately 120,000 employees and transport more than 2.5 billion passengers a year. Our vision is to provide solutions for an increasingly congested world… keeping people moving and communities prospering.
First Student
The largest provider of student transportation in North America with a fleet of approximately 50,000 school buses, carrying some 6 million students every school day across the US and Canada.
First Transit
One of the largest private sector providers of transit management and contracting in North America. We manage public transport systems on behalf of city transit authorities, are one of the largest university campus and airport shuttle bus providers in the US and also manage paratransit operations, call centres and other transit activities. First Services, a division of First Transit, is the one of the largest private sector providers of fleet maintenance and ancillary support services for public sector customers such as the Federal Government and fire and police departments.
Greyhound
Greyhound is the only national provider of scheduled intercity coach services in the US and Canada. Based in Dallas, Greyhound provides scheduled passenger services to approximately 3,800 destinations carrying approximately 18 million passengers a year. Our point-to-point service Greyhound Express now serves more than 100 markets and we also operate further tailored brands for local markets including BoltBus and YO! Bus.
UK Bus
FirstGroup is one of Britain’s largest bus operators running approximately one in five of all local bus services. A fleet of some 6,500 buses carries approximately 2.3 million passengers a day in a huge number of communities including 40 of the UK's largest towns and cities. We operate Greyhound UK providing regular intercity coach services linking South Wales and Bristol Airport, and we also operate some US-style yellow school buses and have a fleet of coaches available for charter.
UK Rail
FirstGroup operates approximately a quarter of the UK passenger rail network, with a balanced portfolio of intercity, commuter, regional and sleeper services, carrying more than 310 million passengers a year.
- We are the UK’s largest rail operator with four passenger franchises – First Capital Connect, First Great Western, First ScotRail and First TransPennine Express – and one open access operator, First Hull Trains.
- We operate the London Tramlink network on behalf of Transport for London carrying more than 29 million passengers a year and the Heathrow Connect service in partnership with Heathrow Airport.
Europe
With our partner DSB, we operate rail services in and between Denmark and Sweden. We operate the Aircoach network in Ireland.
Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games
First Bus and First ScotRail are proud to be Official Supporters of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, providing passenger rail and bus services.