Scottish Apprenticeship Week: Building the future with apprenticeships

At Stagecoach we’re very proud of the range of apprenticeships we have and the high-quality training they provide to our employees.

As the UK’s biggest bus, coach and tram operator, apprenticeships bring huge value to our business in terms of talent and diversity. We have been at the forefront of championing apprentices in our workforce for many years and currently have 800 apprentices across our companies in England, Scotland and Wales. As well as ensuring that our workforce represents the communities we serve, apprenticeships provide opportunities for internal development and succession planning.

For several years, Stagecoach has been supporting the Scottish Government's Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) initiative, which is designed to better prepare young people for the world of work. 

As well as providing apprenticeships, Stagecoach has been involved with DYW regional groups set up to connect employers with education. The company offers work experience and work placement opportunities and many of its employees have been involved in mentoring programmes to help build the skills and confidence of young people.

As part of Scottish National Apprenticeship Week we are sharing the experiences of some of our Scottish-based apprentices:

Abbie Gunn is one of our engineering apprentices based at Cumbernauld depot. Abbie joined the Stagecoach apprenticeship scheme after realising she wanted to do a job that was hands-on. She was particularly interested in working with buses and coaches to prove that women can do as much heavy work as men. Abbie said that one of the highlights of her apprenticeship has been finally enjoying going to work, although she’s not as keen on having to work in the cold! She would recommend apprenticeships to others as a great way to learn whilst earning money.

Cameron Barr started his apprenticeship with Stagecoach East Scotland in Perth depot in October 2018 and chose this path because it was a great way of him learning and advancing his practical skills. Cameron says the highlights of his apprenticeship are being able to go to other depots and show the skills he has learned so far, which is a big confidence booster. Cameron says: “I work with a one-to-one mentor and they give me all the support I could ask for. I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship to people, it’s a great way to increase your abilities and to boost your confidence.”

Elora Fraser started on the Stagecoach apprenticeship scheme in September 2019 and is based at Tullos depot in Aberdeen. Elora grew up watching her grandad rebuild bikes, cars and motorbikes and was always interested in mechanics. She had been studying car mechanics at college, but wanted to work on heavier vehicles and heard that Stagecoach offered a great apprenticeship and good opportunities for career progression. Elora is particularly interested in newer, greener ways of travel and believes the automotive industry is a progressive industry that provides great opportunities.

Owen McQueen, who is based at Dumfries depot, chose an apprenticeship as a way of earning whilst learning. He said: “I chose a modern apprenticeship as I was looking for a career and they are a brilliant way to earn qualifications and experience and be paid for it, and at the same time lay the groundwork for your future and avoiding things like student loans”. He says there have been many highlights in the apprenticeship he has been doing since September 2019, including working as a team, meeting new knowledgeable people and advancing his skillset.

Carla Stockton-Jones, UK Managing Director for Stagecoach, said: “Amongst the terrible human cost of the Covid-19 crisis, the impact on our country’s young people and their prospects is of major concern. Apprenticeships are a critical part of the way forward and an area that Stagecoach has invested in for many years. As we mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week, it’s vital that we all play our part in helping the country to re-build and help our young people to kick start their careers.

“Giving our young people a chance through apprenticeships can pay huge dividends for them individually, for their employers, and for the country’s skills base. More than ever this year, we owe that to our young people.”

ENDS