A record-breaking 16 new recruits began the graduate scheme last week at FirstGroup, the leading transport operator in the UK and North America.
Aberdeen based First has taken on more graduates in 2011 than in any other year.
On their first day in their new roles, the graduates were set a challenge to help them learn about FirstGroup’s services.
They were asked to travel from their homes across the UK to FirstGroup headquarters in Aberdeen… by FirstGroup services only.
From early Monday morning (5 September), and in some cases Sunday evening, the 16 graduates set off from their homes across the UK, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Somerset, Suffolk, Leeds, Bristol and Plymouth for the journey north to Aberdeen.
“What better way to learn about FirstGroup services than experiencing them,” said FirstGroup’s Head of Learning and Development, Linda Guthrie.
“We asked them to plan their journeys in advance and critically evaluate each leg. They were all successful and arrived in Aberdeen by 6.00pm – just as we asked.”
After arriving in Aberdeen the new graduates spent the remainder of the week at FirstGroup headquarters learning about the company.
They also took part in ‘Apprentice’ and ‘Dragon’s Den’ activities to help teamwork, confidence and reinforce their learnings.
FirstGroup’s graduate scheme attracted a record 750 applicants this year. One of the successful applicants, Tetanya Nedilko (25) from Islington in London, said:
“I have always strived to work for a successful international organisation that has a strong engineering focus. I’m thrilled to get this opportunity with FirstGroup and hope to progress with the company and become a fully qualified Chartered Engineer. I’m looking forward to getting my hands dirty!”
Linda Guthrie continued: “The calibre of graduates we have recruited this year is outstanding. I’ve no doubt that they all will go on to enjoy successful careers with First.
“Planning has already started for our 2012 graduate recruitment strategy. We will be launching a new look FirstGroup graduate website in October and will undertake a social media campaign for the first time.
“First is the most sought out company in our industry to work for amongst UK graduates. The added investment and resources to our 2012 graduate recruitment campaign will help ensure that we attract the very best graduates,” said Ms Guthrie.
Graduates undertake a comprehensive workplace training schedule over two years at various locations across First’s UK operations and within various functions in the company’s Bus and Rail divisions.
