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 Ladders that depict the expected learning routes of our employees. Below are the indicative Learning Ladders for a Graduate trainee during the first two years of employment.

Senior Management Trainees - Learning Ladders (Year 1)

	Operations	Safety	HR	Leadership / Professional
Mentoring
‘Leading First’ Self Directed Learning
CILT/ IMechE Self Directed Learning
Leadership Horizons (Btec 3)
Diversity / DDA
Introduction to Employment Law
Recruitment and Selection
IPP
Core Safety Brief
Principles of Scheduling	(Ops only)
National CPC
On Job Training Syllabus / Coaching
PCV driving licence
Corporate & Local induction

Senior Management Trainees - Learning Ladders (Year 2)

	Operations	Safety	HR	Leadership / Professional
Diploma in Management (MBA Part 1)
Professional Certificate in Management (OU)
Engineering Masters degree
Making Reading Easier / SfL awareness
Diversity / DDA
Managing Performance Excellence
Absence Management / Discipline & Grievance
Environmental Awareness
Managing Safety (IOSHH)
On Job Training / Coaching

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

This model of competence is represented as an iceberg:

'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	Safety Business Customer Learning
Problem Solving	Strategy and innovation Handling Information Decision Making
Working with People	Influence Leading Others Developing others Empathy and Understanding Diversity

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.