Member Article

100 up for Merseytravel scheme to help people into employment

Merseytravel’s Employment and Skills Team has helped one hundred people into employment in the transport sector. Lyndsey Stuart from Croxteth, Liverpool is the one hundredth person to secure employment through Merseytravel’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF).

She applied for the bus driving academy with Huyton Travel Ltd. and has since successfully secured employment as a bus driver.

Lyndsey explained: “I had to give up my job as a medical dispenser when my eldest daughter Megan was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. I was unemployed for 5 years and was her sole carer. When Megan eventually turned 16 and my other two children were in school I decided I needed to find a job.

“I attended a Jobs Fair at St Georges Hall and the Merseytravel team were promoting bus driver opportunities. I thought why not! I had nothing to lose.” Funded through the LSTF, Merseytravel’s Employment and Skills team offer careers advice to people who want to work in public transport but may not have the skills or experience to successfully compete for jobs.

The team works with colleges and learning providers to help people gain the skills and qualifications they do need. Councillor Liam Robinson, chair of Merseytravel said: “One hundred people into work is a real milestone and one of which Merseytravel and the people in employment can be proud.

“Getting workers, residents and visitors around our region efficiently and experiencing good customer service is just as integral to its success as the attractions, shops and places to eat and stay.

“We will continue to work with operators and education and training providers across Merseyside to give more local people the chance to kick start their careers.”

Huyton Travel Ltd Operations Manager Darren Stewart added: “Lyndsey stood out from the start and ticked all the boxes, she has a really positive attitude and that’s what this sector needs. We would strongly encourage women to apply for these academies as females are under-represented in this type of industry.

“Without this training we wouldn’t get the quality of people we have been getting and consequently wouldn’t have as many of our buses up and running on Merseyside which could impact on the community.”

Other people helped by the Employment and Skills team are now employed in such roles as taxi drivers, bike mechanics, railway maintenance and travel trainers.

The project is a partnership with Job Centre Plus and other recruitment providers, Warrington Collegiate,Oldham College, Arriva North West, Stagecoach, Arriva, Huyton Travel Limited. UK Railway Training and Seascope Maritime Training.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .