Bus Development Route
In your first two years, in support of your operational based learning, you will have a series of off job training programmes. Within First UK Bus we operate a series of learning routes that depict the expected learning routes of our employees. Below are the indicative learning routes for a Graduate trainee during the first two years of employment.
Management Trainees - (Year 1)
| Operations | Safety | HR | Leadership / Professional | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mentoring | learning route |
|||
| 'Leading First' Self Directed Learning | learning route |
|||
| CILT/ IMechE Self Directed Learning | learning route |
|||
| Leadership Horizons (Btec 3) | learning route |
|||
| Diversity / DDA | learning route |
|||
| Introduction to Employment Law | learning route |
|||
| Recruitment and Selection | learning route |
|||
| IPP | learning route |
|||
| Core Safety Brief | learning route |
|||
| Principles of Scheduling | learning route (Ops only) |
|||
| National CPC | learning route |
|||
| On Job Training Syllabus / Coaching | learning route |
|||
| PCV driving licence | learning route |
|||
| Corporate & Local induction | learning route |
Management Trainees - (Year 2)
| Operations | Safety | HR | Leadership / Professional | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diploma in Management (MBA Part 1) | learning route |
|||
| Professional Certificate in Management (OU) | learning route |
|||
| Engineering Masters degree | learning route |
|||
| Making Reading Easier / SfL awareness | learning route |
|||
| Diversity / DDA | learning route |
|||
| Managing Performance Excellence | learning route |
|||
| Absence Management / Discipline & Grievance | learning route |
|||
| Environmental Awareness | learning route |
|||
| Managing Safety (IOSHH) | learning route |
|||
| On Job Training / Coaching | learning route |
Professional Qualifications
Off job training and qualifications form an important part in developing your competencies over a 5 year period. The following academic institutes have been chosen as the provider for your qualification programmes. These are fully funded by the company and we require you to work towards these as part of your overall development.
| Scheme | Institute | Ultimate Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| UK Bus Operational | Open University | MBA |
| UK BUs Engineering | The School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering at Manchester University | MSc |
Identifying competence and development needs
Throughout your development programme you will be required to undertake regular and comprehensive self assessment of your professional, technical and behavioural competencies. Competence within First UK Bus can be defined simply as:
- Knowing - your job
- Doing - your job
- Being - behaving in a proper manner
'Knowing' and 'Doing'
The performance excellence model above indicates that 'knowing' and 'doing' the job varies with each individual and job role. These elements of the job are easy to define, see and measure. You will be given a comprehensive range of competencies relating to the operational, technical and professional aspects of your role and career and these are linked into achievement of Chartered status of your professional institute.
'Being' - Leading First
Although there is an important need to develop your knowledge and skills, our performance excellence model suggest that the competencies that make the difference are the behaviours which individuals display when doing their job.
The 'Leading First' framework is based on sound behavioural theories and typifies the behaviours individuals in successful organisations display and as such is generic and adaptable to almost any situation or job role.
The structure of Leading First
The 'Leading First' framework is grouped into the three key areas:
- Problem solving
- Continuous improvement
- Working with people
Within each key area are a series of elements
| Competency Area | Element |
|---|---|
| Continuous Improvement |
|
| Problem Solving |
|
| Working with People |
|
Each element has a short list of positive indicators that can help you identify your level of individual competence. The level, frequency and range of behaviours within each of these elements will vary according to your job role and you as an individual.
As a Senior Manager within First you are expected to develop in all areas of these behavioural competencies as you progress throughout your development programme and career.
Helping you to learn
Development is the process of moving from one level of performance to another. Learning is the process of acquiring new knowledge, understanding skills and developing positive behaviours. Since it is learning which drives development it is important that we understand how we learn the best. From the start you will be introduced to a variety of tools and techniques that will enable you to get the most benefit from your self directed learning.