New drivers qualify in Ember’s Jobcentre scheme

A scheme seeing electric coach operator Ember and Jobcentre Plus team up has resulted in two newly qualified drivers.

The pair of freshly qualified drivers were commended at a special celebratory event in Dundee after they completed the pilot training scheme. Using statistics from trade association Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) on staff shortages, Jobcentre Plus identified Ember as a suitable local employer in need of drivers. It saw a group of candidates recruited and taken through the full training process, ultimately becoming fully-fledged bus drivers with Ember, who provide all-electric intercity travel in Scotland. The project forms part of a wider strategy from DfT and DWP to tackle the driver shortages in the bus and coach sector.

“…we will continue to work closely with industry and DWP to attract new and brilliant talent to the bus and coach sector” – Minister for Roads and Local Transport, Guy Opperman MP

Minister for Roads and Local Transport, Guy Opperman MP, said: “It’s fantastic to see the trainees complete their training with Ember, and I’d like to thank my colleagues at DWP for helping make their ambition of becoming bus drivers a reality.

“We’re investing £4.5 billion to protect and improve bus services, and we will continue to work closely with industry and DWP to attract new and brilliant talent to the bus and coach sector, creating new jobs, levelling up transport and growing the economy.”

“We would thoroughly recommend other operators and Jobcentres get involved” – Alistair Mackey, Ember’s Operations Manager

Alistair Mackey, Ember’s Operations Manager, said: “Partnering with DWP to recruit these new drivers into the sector has been a very worthwhile experience. We would thoroughly recommend other operators and Jobcentres get involved.”

“I’m thrilled to have completed my training with Ember” – Ember driver, Stuart Strachan

Ember driver, Stuart Strachan, said: “I’m thrilled to have completed my training with Ember and am really excited to be embarking on this new chapter in my career. Thanks to all the instructors and the team behind the scenes for all their support.”

“Partnership working between the public and private sector is critical to addressing issues such as the shortage of drivers in the bus and coach industry” – Keith McNally, CPT’s Operations Director

Keith McNally, CPT’s Operations Director, said: “We are proud of our role in facilitating this partnership and the achievement of the drivers who have successfully completed their training. Partnership working between the public and private sector is critical to addressing issues such as the shortage of drivers in the bus and coach industry.”