BEN:

Ben Morgan

Degree: Mechanical Engineering
Joined Stagecoach: 2005
Current position: Engineering Manager, Peterborough

"The bus industry isn't the most obvious choice for an engineering graduate, but when I looked at the different graduate schemes available, I realised that Stagecoach offered a lot more variety than other companies. This really interested me, and Stagecoach made it clear they were looking for future Directors of the business - not many other employers could say that.

On starting the programme, what struck me was the friendly atmosphere in the depots and the welcoming attitude of my new colleagues. The first two months were invaluable. I spent that time working hands-on with a team of fitters in our Stockport depot. Once you're a manager you have to be able to relate to the people reporting to you, so it's important to understand the pressures and challenges of the job.

Whilst there will always be grease and grime involved, ours is becoming an increasingly hi-tech industry. In fact, the work of our engineering function is largely based around fault diagnosis, using a lot of computer based systems. A word of advice though, this job is not primarily about engineering design - this is very much about people management and commercial management.

Throughout the first year of the programme, you attend the same external courses as the operational graduate trainees. This is really interesting as you learn what it takes to run a business - in effect that's what an engineering function within Stagecoach is. You also spend a month in depot operations to give you a rounded view of the business and to build your general management ability.

In the second year, I was given full hands-on responsibility as an Assistant Engineering Manager at one of our depots in Wales. Having learned all the procedures, I was now putting them into action by supervising the engineering function there. Throughout this second year, senior managers are keeping an eye on your progress and deciding how best to continue your development. In effect, they look at your strengths and create a tailor-made career path for you. My time in Wales was the ideal preparation for the next step up. I’m now Engineering Manager at our Peterborough depot, where I manage a team of 28 working on 79 vehicles. It’s a lot more responsibility, but it’s really satisfying knowing that it’s your operation to control.”