Testimonials
Stagecoach UK Bus
Stagecoach UK Bus is a national organisation consisting of 18 regional operating companies, based throughout the UK. We have worked with First Class since 2001 when they were appointed to support the implementation of a new attendance management policy and procedure. They worked closely with the national Training and Development department, and with a pilot Stagecoach regional company, meeting senior managers and visiting bus depots, to design a workshop that would develop the skills and attitudes managers would need. After the initial pilot was successfully implemented, it was decided to extend the programme to include all the Directors, Managers, Supervisors and groups of Trade Union Representatives throughout the UK business.
Stagecoach and First Class worked closely during this national roll out. Prior to implementation in each regional company, we would initially brief the Directors and then First Class would contact them, visiting in person where possible, to get background on the company and their specific attendance management issues. Having established their contacts with senior managers in the operating companies, First Class now mail them directly for updated information prior to running workshops. The feedback First Class provide and our delegate evaluation sheets, completed after each workshop, monitored progress. First Class continues to update these workshops to keep them “real” for those attending and relevant to our business. Feedback supports the positive aspects of the relevance of content, along with their ability to engage our colleagues in the learning process. Colleagues taking part in our Staff Development programme sited the First Class workshop as being the most useful externally delivered course on the whole programme.
The success of these learning events has led us to expand the range of courses delivered by First Class, to include presentation skills programmes for Graduate and Staff Development Programmes. First Class have proved to be a reliable and effective training and development partner and we look forward to continuing to work with them.
Matt Darroch
Training and Development Manager | Stagecoach UK Bus
I have to say that my various contacts on last week's SDP course said how much they had enjoyed their time with you - which shows that you haven't lost your touch!
As to the attendance management courses that you ran with us in Northampton - well, we really did take them away and use the lessons learned to improve our management of lateness and absence. One of the consequences (I think!) is that our staff turnover has dropped to the lowest in the Group, because our managers are learning to treat people as people. Do keep in touch and keep up the good work!!
James Freeman
Managing Director | Stagecoach UK Bus
“I have just attended a course on presentation skills for induction. I just wanted to say that I want to congratulate Helen Ashton on the course that she has delivered today. I have attended many courses in the past and benefited from this course. Everything that she did on the course was delivered in a true professional manner step by step, and the day was very enjoyable and very good … Helen thank you for your time”
Rami Kajoo | Stagecoach UK Bus
I really enjoyed your courses and have learnt a lot from them. You have a great way of keeping everyone involved and in tune with what you are teaching.
Richard Scant
Assistant Operations Manager
Torquay | Stagecoach Devon
Just a short note to say a big THANK YOU for yesterday. I really enjoyed it and thought that your presentation skills were excellent. Thanks.
Gary Nolan
Managing Director | Stagecoach East Midlands
The course was able to break down and relate to the daily activities and duties that is part of our working day. I was impressed with the way that even though we did not directly discuss various working scenarios the principal was the same as long as we applied what was learnt. Altogether an informative and knowledgeable workshop which was easily understood and could be implemented whilst carrying out your daily tasks.
Simon Tramalloni | Stagecoach UK Bus