Ministerial Launch of Bus Driver Careers roadshows in the South East of Scotland
/The Edinburgh & South East Scotland City Deal and regional Bus Operators welcomed the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, Mr Jim Fairlie MSP, to launch a regional Bus Driver recruitment campaign on 2nd May 2024 in Edinburgh.
Over the last two years Bus Operators have had a high level of job vacancies which has affected their ability to provide consistent levels of services across our region, affecting school transport, the ability for our communities to access employment, training and education, with the impact also being felt by the leisure industry.
The Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity was shown the collaborative working that has been undertaken between Bus Operators and the Edinburgh & South East Scotland City Deal to launch the Bus Driver Careers Helix website and organise a series of recruitment roadshows across the South East of Scotland.
The Minister was able to meet some regional bus operators to learn about the employment and development opportunities in the bus industry and how regional recruitment events can benefit the industry. Bus operators highlighted that the industry offers a great employment opportunity, with many operators fully supporting candidates through driver training qualifications and once qualified staff are offered a flexible work-life balance, in an environment that will support staff development and allow them to achieve their full potential. Bus drivers within regional operators also have the opportunity to develop their careers into other parts of the business such as operations, management, marketing, engineering and even Net-Zero.
Further recruitment roadshows will be taking place across the Scottish Borders, Fife and the Lothians throughout May and June, and we encourage anyone interested in a career in the bus industry to speak with their local employment support teams in the Department for Works and Pensions, or look out for information on the roadshows by visiting the Bus Driver Careers Helix website.
Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, Mr Jim Fairlie– It was great to join partners at the first bus driver recruitment event in Edinburgh. There are fantastic opportunities in the bus industry – and with more public transport trips made by bus than by any other mode of transport, buses are our greatest ally in reducing congestion, improving air quality and protecting the climate by reducing the need for private cars. With flexible working conditions, well-paid opportunities and a clear sense of purpose in keeping the country moving every single day, I am delighted that the Scottish Government has been able to support this initiative as part of our £300m investment in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal. And I would encourage everyone to consider the wide range of opportunities available in the bus industry.
Councillor Scott Arthur - Transport and Environment Convener, City of Edinburgh Council “Our bus services form a critical part of our transport network, to support our communities, businesses and the journey to net-zero. The last couple of years have been difficult for the industry with lower patronage levels following Covid 19 and a loss of drivers affecting service levels. The growth in demand since then, however, means there is huge demand for drivers.
“The driver recruitment roadshow is another example of how the bus sector is innovating and working in partnership to attract new talent for the future. I met new and experience drivers and was pleased to hear about how rewarding the job was and also the potential to move on to more senior roles withing the industry.”
