A record 19 graduates began life in the transport industry last month when they started out on FirstGroup’s UK based Graduate Management Scheme.
The graduates, recruited from all over the UK, have already begun a comprehensive two year workplace training programme at various locations across First’s UK operations and within various functions in the company’s Bus and Rail divisions.
First has significantly increased its graduate intake this year. In 2013, 14 graduates began their careers with First. The intake for 2014 is 19, which is a record for the company since its graduate scheme began in 1999.
In total 1,023 graduates applied to the 2014 FirstGroup scheme (also a record). Robert Sanderson (22) from London was one of the successful applicants. He completed a degree in Human Geography with Mandarin Chinese at Exeter University in June and begins his First career in the Bus Division supporting First Glasgow’s operations team.
He said: “I’ve always wanted to work in the transport industry and to realise my ambition with FirstGroup is fantastic. The FirstGroup graduate scheme has a good reputation and I knew I’d be up against a great deal of competition. Of course I feel really fortunate to have secured a place on the scheme - I aim to grasp the opportunity and learn as much as I can over the next two years.”
Talking about his role in Glasgow, Robert continued: “I’m looking forward to seeing every aspect of First Glasgow’s operations, from the commercial side of the business right through to engineering. I’m especially eager to get behind the wheel of some of First Glasgow’s new vehicles – as part of the FirstGroup scheme graduates learn how to drive buses and spend some time as drivers. I think that’s a fantastic way of learning more about the business and in particular what our customers think.”
John Evans, FirstGroup’s HR Director, added: “Extending the graduate programme reflects the success of our scheme and the quality of candidates that we are attracting. Across our UK Bus and Rail businesses there are many colleagues who have progressed from our graduate schemes into senior positions - in our bus division for example, two of our Managing Directors started their careers on the FirstGroup graduate scheme.”
He continued: “I’m delighted to welcome our new crop of graduates to FirstGroup – I’m confident they will each enjoy long and successful careers with First.”
FirstGroup also said all 10 graduates from the scheme’s 2012 intake have successfully completed their two year programme and progressed into roles across different divisions including Commercial Manager, Area Operations Manager, Driver Manager and On Train Depot Manager.
Reading based Maria Ludlam, is one graduate of the 2012 crop and in January began working as Guards Manager at rail company, First Great Western. She said: “My two years on the graduate scheme were fantastic. I’ve worked in almost every aspect of the rail business and spent a couple of months experiencing life in the bus division with First Glasgow. The experience I’ve gained will be invaluable and I’m already putting it to good use in my new role at First Great Western. It’s an exciting challenge and one that I’m already thoroughly enjoying.”
ENDS
For more information, please contact Niall Dowds, Head of Communications, First UK Bus, 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 £6.7 billion. Our services help to create strong, vibrant and sustainable local economies. During the last year around 2.5 billion people relied on us to get to work, to education, to visit family and friends and much more and, each day, every one of our 117,000 employees works hard to deliver vitally important services for our passengers.
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 49,000 school buses, carrying some six 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 Vehicle Services, a division of First Transit, is one of the largest private sector providers of fleet maintenance 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 3,800 destinations carrying approximately 18 million passengers a year. Our point-to-point service Greyhound Express now serves more than 120 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 with around a fifth of bus services outside London. A fleet of some 6,400 buses carries approximately 1.6 million passengers a day in a huge number of communities including 40 of the UK's largest towns and cities. We operate some US-style yellow school buses and have a fleet of coaches available for charter. We also operate the Aircoach network in Ireland.
UK Rail
FirstGroup is one of the largest rail operators in the UK and the only one to run every sort of railway - long distance, regional, commuter and sleeper operations. We carried more than 330 million passengers in 2013/14.
- We operate three passenger franchises across the country – 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 31 million passengers a year and the Heathrow Connect service in partnership with Heathrow Airport.