Learning and Development
Our learning and development programme defines an educational schedule for all UK Bus staff. This programme allows our employees to achieve the appropriate level of competence for their role and provides a clear route for career progression through the company. The programme is built around learning that leads to recognised qualifications which contribute to a sense of achievement and pride in the learning process.
Leadership Development
Developed in partnership with the Institute of Directors, this programme began in March 2006 and focuses on developing the leadership skills of our senior managers. Ten directors and all operating company managing directors are currently working through the programme which leads to a Diploma in Company Direction. The programme has been well received and further participants will be joining over the coming year.
Management and Supervisory Training
This programme aims to build the people and commercial management skills of our middle managers and supervisors. These highly successful, practically oriented management development programmes First into Management and Leadership Horizons lead to an NVQ Level 2 in Team Leading and a BTEC Level 3 certificate in Advanced Leadership. These programmes have proved highly popular and over 1,000 employees have now earned these qualifications.
High-potential managers graduating from the Leadership Horizons programme can now continue on a Developing Leadership programme leading to a Diploma in Management awarded by the Chartered Management Institute.
Vocational Qualifications
All of our drivers are encouraged to work towards an S/NVQ in Road Passenger Transport. We track their progress via our in-house database linked to the data systems used by the Learning and Skills Council. Around 4,000 drivers have already achieved an S/NVQ with around 1,100 qualifying in the last 12 months.
For engineering staff we operate apprenticeship schemes with a number of selected colleges. We are currently assessing the training needs for this group of employees to develop their broader competencies. Management training programmes to meet these needs will be introduced over the coming year.
Promoting Success
Throughout our learning and development programmes we actively seek to promote success in relation to high-potential individuals. This year we have linked with the Open University and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) to launch a new professional development programme for graduates and selected senior managers. This is the first time that transport-specific learning has been combined in this way within the transport and logistics sector.
Lesley Parker professional development operations manager with CILT said: "As a professional Institute it is exciting and encouraging to be involved with an organisation that recognises the value of identifying and developing the people who will be the leaders of tomorrow both within First and the profession."