Engineering management of commercial vehicles is something I have always had an interest in, however it is surprisingly difficult to get into with a University education as most people start off on an apprenticeship.

I also wanted to have the benefit of a quality graduate training programme to start my career, I think what Arriva offers is quite unique. I like knowing that I work for a large and successful company where potential for progression is huge for those who can prove themselves.

The training programme was very comprehensive, the people very friendly and willing to try their best to ensure the highest standard of training was delivered. Suggestions for additions/changes to the programme were listened to and accommodated.

The working environment is very intense, there is normally so much going on you are put to the test regularly, this has helped me to be able to multitask.

“I can now happily have a number of key tasks on the go at one time and successfully manage them all.”

Another strength of the programme is that the senior managers are prepared to take a risk with the graduates and give them real responsibility. I found this helped me learn the business very quickly and as I succeeded my confidence grew a great deal. There are always plenty of people with bags of experience close by, who are more than willing to help.

“You need to get your hands dirty and make the most of the experience.”

Arriva make the opportunities available for you to learn and you have to be willing to get in there, get your hands dirty and make the most of the experience. You also need a number of key skills, such as; good awareness/control of budgets, good people skills, ability to multi-task and ability to work under pressure.

I still find the early mornings hard to deal with. Being at work for 6am is essential in this business. If there is an engineering problem you need to be on site to deal with it before the last bus runs out of the garage so you have the best chance of making a full service and avoiding lost mileage.

“The programme has given me a good foundation.”

After I completed the programme I was offered the role as Assistant Engineering Manager. To start with my objective was just to keep the vehicles available for service, do the daily paperwork and keep up with the servicing. However my responsibilities expanded to include managing budgets, managing stock control, changing working practices and people management. Eventually I was running the whole department and I am now at the stage where I still have huge amounts to learn but feel comfortable and confident that I can manage the department. This has been my proudest achievement at work and I have been commended by my general manager for the way I have managed the team and the improvements it has yielded.