Bus Mentoring Programme

Supporting your development

To support you in your development you also have access to a range of mentors and coaches. The benefits to you of having professional mentor include:

  • Easier induction if you are coming straight from university by smoothing your transition from education to the organisation
  • Improved self-confidence and recognition of the value First attach to your development and career progression
  • Learning to cope with the formal and informal structures of the company and a valuable insight into the culture and management style
  • Career advice and advancement as all Professional Mentors are competent in your chosen career area and have many years experience within the industry that they can share and act as an inspiration to you
  • Managerial tutorage in terms of gaining insights into management processes and to act as a role model for effective management and leadership styles enabling you to accelerate your learning in this area

Regular reviews are essential to ensure you keep to your development plan and achieve the progress you expect.

There are four levels of review meetings. These are outlined below:

Level 1 - Operational Learning Review

These occur during your initial 18 months/2 years during the formal SMT operational training period with the line manager of the department you are visiting.

Level 2 - Professional Mentor Review

A learning progress review with the Managing Director (MD) or a nominated Director of the Operating Company is held every 3 months. Your MD is particularly interested in how your progress is going generally and to give support during your qualification programme.

To prepare for this meeting you will produce a learning report for discussion

Level 3 - Development Progress Review - Pastoral Mentoring

You will have a meeting with the scheme director and learning and development director every 6 months.

At this meeting you will discuss your progress and the feedback from your MD. You will also have the opportunity to discuss matters concerning the general management of the programme and any improvements you would like to see.

Level 4 - Career Progression Review - Career Mentoring

You will meet with the Deputy Managing Director UK Bus every 12 months to discuss your career aspirations and potential progression paths.

At First we recognise that in the early days of a new job - no matter how experienced you are, talking to someone who has been a management trainee is helpful. Within First UK Bus we also support you with peer mentors. This process links you to the network of senior managers, normally a past SMT, who can act as a guide or sounding board and in the early days as support. Peer mentoring often occurs in a social setting and is not monitored or compulsory. It has no set process and is initiated and led by you.