Falkirk area bus operator highlights driver diversity
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The firm stated it had recruited over 2500 new drivers since May 2021 and used the recent Bus and Coach Driver Recruitment Week to celebrate its diverse range of drivers – which include a mum to 17 children, a couple of commercial pilots, some police officers and even a circus ringmaster.
Stagecoach driver Katie Roden is a single mother, who was also a part-time archaeologist, travelling across Scotland on various sites before the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Hide AdShe noticed Stagecoach advertising for part-time trainee drivers and she joined the team, taking advantage of the flexibility the company offers to allow her to continue to look after her young child, while also restarting her work as an archaeologist.
Katie said: “I saw Stagecoach was looking for part-time bus drivers and thought I could try that. I went along for the interview and was really surprised to be offered a position in the training school.
"They said they would even work round my family commitments and would allow me to work part-time to continue in my archaeologist role when things returned to normal.
“The training I received from all the team was brilliant and my Instructor was very professional and approachable during the training. Becoming a PCV driver was daunting at first as everything was new to me but after a few months I feel I began to settle into the role and I cannot recommend it enough.”
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Hide AdJamie Reid, Stagecoach traffic manager, said: “Katie’s story is not only really inspiring in terms of someone from a non-driving background being retrained due to the Covid crisis, but also shows the flexibility we can offer to help people get back into work whilst also having the time to do the things they enjoy.”
Mihai-Emil Morosanu, originally from Bucharest, has just completed his driver training after a difficult upbringing and many challenges.
He was born and raised in a poor area of Bucharest and, due to his lack of education, had to learn English by watching cartoons.
After four years doing various factory work, he passed his LGV test to become a lorry driver and, with this experience under his belt, he decided to work for Stagecoach.
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