FIRSTGROUP, the UK’s largest transport operator, has launched a
new book. ‘Life in the Bus Lane’ is a collection of short
stories entirely written by employees of First’s bus division,
including drivers, engineers, mechanics, cleaners and office
staff.
The book is available for sale at http://www.firstgroupshop.com/
priced £5 with all proceeds going to FirstGroup’s charity partner,
Save the Children.
More than 500 staff responded to a joint FirstGroup and Unite
the Union competition encouraging First staff to submit short
stories, with the 89 winning entries published in a book.
The competition was promoted throughout the UK in First’s
‘Learning Centres’, which have been established in partnership with
Unite the Union. Staff visit the centres to learn new skills
– how to use a computer, the internet and email - or improve
numeracy and literacy skills. The centres even offer courses
in conversational Spanish, scuba diving and a whole host of other
areas.
Linda Guthrie, FirstGroup’s Head of Learning and Development,
said: “We want our people to recognise and embrace the benefits of
learning as an investment in their future. ‘Life in the Bus
Lane’ encourages our people to try something different, learn a new
skill, use our Learning Centres and unlock their potential.”
She continued: “Life in the Bus Lane is our third collection of
short stories, and is the best yet. Each year we are taken
aback by the quality of entries and I am thrilled with the final
edition. It’s an unmissable read and who knows we may have
unearthed the next John Grisham or J K Rowling.”
Mick Dowds from Unite the Union said: “FirstGroup is to be
commended not just for this particular initiative, but to its
overall approach to lifelong learning. Working with First we
have developed one of the most successful lifelong learning
partnerships in the passenger transport sector and opened more than
50 Learning Centres at First’s bus depots and facilities throughout
the UK. These centres, which are staffed by fully trained
‘Trade Union Learning Representatives’, make an invaluable
contribution to the development of our members.”
In FirstGroup’s bus division approximately 85% of employees have
access to Learning Centres. The company has more than 50 Learning
Centres across the UK, mainly located in bus depots but with access
available to relatives of staff and, in some cases, the
public. 100% of employees within First’s bus division
will have access to adult learning of some form or another by
2012.
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Published 12th October 2011
