The Go-Ahead Group are on a recruitment drive to hire 1,000 women bus drivers
YOU wait ages for a job on the buses – and then a thousand come along at once.
Transport firm The Go-Ahead Group has announced a recruitment drive to hire 1,000 women in its bus division as it aims to double its female workforce.
The jobs — as drivers, maintaining vehicles and managing depots — will help tackle the lack of gender diversity in public transport. Around 14,000 people work in the firm’s UK bus operations but very few women have held front-line roles.
The firm has established a “Women in Bus” employee network to develop female staff and will be holding female-focused recruitment campaigns, open days and training opportunities.
Go-Ahead Group people director Siobhan Morrison said: “Women and men of all ages and backgrounds travel on our buses. We want our workforce to reflect the diversity of our passengers and communities, so there are great opportunities for women to work in our bus businesses.
“We are challenging stereotypes and leading the way in securing skills from the widest possible talent pool.”
Jobs will be available across the UK and many positions do not require specific qualifications — you will receive on-the-job training.
To apply, or to find out more about recruitment days, go to
Jobspot
DELIVERY firm Whistl is hiring 50 HGV drivers. The full-time roles will be based in the newly opened Bedford “Super Depot”. For information, email [email protected].
Just the ticket
SARAH STEPHENSON swapped a career as a carer to become a bus driver. The 40-year-old from Poole, Dorset, now wants more women to get behind the wheel.
She said: “Being a bus driver is a job that many women may not even consider, but since starting I have seen just what a great career path this is.
“I had been working in the care industry for some time but found that I was increasingly feeling the pressure of the work impacting on my health and personal life. Now I’m loving my new life as a bus driver.
“It’s so well suited to those who want to be able to contribute to the community, but also have a steady work-life balance with flexible working hours. Along with good pay, we get lots of great benefits such as free travel for me and one other person, so my teenage daughter loves it.
“I would really like to encourage more women to join the industry and to prove that we can do it just as well as men. It’s a good job with great benefits.”
Kids are bosses
MORE than three in five parents say they prioritise their child’s school work before their own.
A study from Collins found 62 per cent of mums and dads admit they have ignored their boss’s demands in order to help their child with homework. Colin Hughes, managing director of the publishing firm, said: “We know that parents are passionate about their children thriving at school.
“This passion can translate into parents feeling under significant pressure.”
Sign up to scarefest
DO YOU have the guts for one of these goresome jobs at Alton Towers?
The resort is recruiting hundreds of people for its Halloween Scarefest, including performers, show hosts and technicians.
To join the “scream team”, there are recruitment open days on September 18, 19, 23, 24 and 27 at various locations in Staffs, plus on September 21 and 22 at the park.
Park performer Jack Lewis, 30, said: “I have played so many roles as a scare actor, from a rotting sailor to an alien. The reaction of the guests who appreciate your performance is really rewarding, whether that’s a scream, a jump or even a laugh.”
For details see
Jobspot
JEWELLERS Warren James have jobs available nationwide for sales advisers and shop managers. See
Take up a positive mindset
KEEPING your holiday positivity alive can help you cope better with the daily grind.
Chris Griffiths, founder of “mind mapping” app ayoa.com, explains: “For many, the daily commute is a necessary evil, but this doesn’t have to be the case. You can use the time to open your creative process.” Here are Chris’s tips.
BE HAPPY. By making a conscious effort to use your commute to find daily purpose, you’ll enter the office ready to be innovative with your optimism.
DAYDREAM. Think of a problem you’re struggling to solve, then remove yourself entirely. Let your mind wander and do something simple, like a crossword. Studies have shown that more parts of our brain light up when we daydream.
MOST READ IN MONEY
READ or listen to an audiobook. Reading can improve the quality of ideas.
WALK. Whether you drive or use public transport, make time to park further away or get off a stop early so you can walk the last leg of your journey. Walking is linked to improved brain function, so you can get fitter, and fuel your mind at the same time.
VISUALISE WORK. Modern workplaces often rely on lists and linear modes of thought – even though our brains are more suited to visual expression. Use your commute to mind map your day.
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