New learning centre opens at Hoeford depot to support skills & careers for local bus workers

The new facility is the latest in a nationwide investment by First Bus to support its teams with learning and personal development opportunities.

Colleagues working in roles across the First Bus South business – from bus drivers and engineers to support staff – will be able to access the learning centre to upskill, retrain or focus on their own development. The centre is also designed to support new joiners as they settle into their roles, with easy access to onboarding and training materials.

The Hoeford centre is the sixth and final to open as part of a UK-wide training centre rollout for First Bus – and is supported by a further satellite learning centre in First Bus South’s Truro depot in Cornwall.

The final site was revealed to members of the local team at the Hoeford depot by Simon Goff, First Bus South’s Managing Director, and Polly Morgan, Chief Executive of iDEA, the UK’s no.1 digital skills charity - which has partnered with First Bus*. Members of Unite the Union were also in attendance as colleagues were given a first-hand look at some of the new resources.

Simon Goff, Managing Director at First Bus Suth, said:
"This new learning centre is about giving our teams the tools, space and support they need to grow – whether they’re just starting out or looking to take the next step in their career. We’re proud to invest in our people and help build an even stronger, more skilled workforce for the future."

Polly Morgan, CEO at iDEA, said: “Our mission is to ensure that no one is left behind in the digital revolution, and we’re proud to work with First Bus to provide comprehensive digital skills support for First Bus colleagues and local members of the communities they serve through the learning centres.”