Sarah Forbes - Station Team Manager, First ScotRail
"I joined the Rail Graduate Training Scheme in September 2005, after having studied for a degree in European Management at Aberdeen University.
I was initially attracted to First Group because of the size of the company and the opportunities which were available within the company for career progression. My degree was very general and the operations management scheme offered the opportunity to sample different business areas, before deciding where I would focus my career.
I spent 12 months working in Glasgow, where my time was distributed between the various business functions.
Working in areas such as Station Management, Train Crew Management, as well as the HQ functions including Marketing, Train Planning and HR, I was able to learn about the rail industry from various perspectives.
The 12 month programme definitely had a hands on approach and I was given real work to do from day one.
I was given both a coach and a mentor, whose job it was to keep me motivated and focussed on achieving the most from the training scheme.
After the initial 12 months, I was given a placement in Inverness, as a station team manager.
After doing this job for a period of 2 months, I was offered the role on a permanent basis. Here I am responsible for the operation of 42 stations and 26 station staff. On a day to day basis, it is my job to ensure that all stations are safe and maintained to a high level, as well as ensuring that the staff under my control are competent to do their jobs. In addition to doing this job, I am currently working towards a diploma in Rail Management, as well as an assessor qualification.
I would recommend the First Group training schemes to future graduates,
as I have been supported throughout my training, and have learned a huge amount in the short time I have been in the company."