FirstGroup Engineering Management

Everything about this scheme will take you out of your comfort zone. Rather than follow regular
office hours or sit at a computer, youll be out there - typically on site - gaining experience in Bus
or Rail maintenance, repair and fleet reliability; together with operations management as well as
project and contract management.
Whether you decide to focus on Bus or Rail, the development path will be the same. There will be 12 months'
training, followed by a further 12 months of focused, hands-on experience. After that, you'll receive 2 years'
monitored support in a management role that majors on your key strengths. Ultimately, you'll be working towards
Chartered Engineer status.
In terms of technical skills, were looking for mechanical, electrical and electronic graduate engineers. You'll enter
as a Trainee Manager - generally at workshop level - and then quickly progress, taking responsibility for depot
engineering.
There's a real emphasis on operational excellence and consistent delivery (with genuine opportunity for
innovation). So we're looking for graduates with a BEng or MEng (minimum 2:2) that's been accredited by
IMechE or IET.
Aside from your technical skills we need graduates who are comfortable dealing with people. A great team
player, with plenty of energy, you're as confident managing colleagues as you are engaging directly with the
public in demanding commercial environments. Above all, you're passionate about delivering the great service
that our customers have come to expect.

A little more detail

What kind of career pathway will I follow?
When you join us as a graduate engineer, youll follow a route called the Monitored Professional Engineering
Development Scheme (MPEDS) in Bus or APEDS in Rail. This will enable you to complete the first stage of your
professional development, become a corporate member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and register
with the Engineering Council as a Chartered Engineer or Incorporated Engineer.
Which parts of FirstGroup will I work in?
As an engineering graduate, you will spend two years working within the division you choose when you join us,
you will be placed in one Bus Operating Company or Train Operating Company and will spend time at
various depots across the Operating Company network. We believe this will give you a good understanding of
your parent division and direct experience of project work and day-to-day business delivery.
Will I get any extra support?
At the very beginning of your journey, youll be assigned a Chartered (or Incorporated) Engineer of any
discipline as your mentor. Theyll help you set and review all the key objectives that will develop your
engineering and business competencies. Your mentor will also assess your progress, and provide feedback to
the Engineering Institution, for the entire four years.
What else can I expect?
Wed also like you to provide reports and observations on your experience, understanding and the contribution
youve made. There will be plenty of placements within our own Train or Bus Operating companies, but youll also
spend time at other companies within the rail and bus industry. Weve found its the best way to help you gain a
broad and contrasting experience. There will even be the chance to attend external seminars and courses.
Essentially, everythings been carefully designed to help you use your technical skills, business competence,
innovation and interpersonal skills to the best of your ability. Youll be contributing to our future, as well as your
own.

MOTIVATION*
Please explain why you would like to work for First Group (250 words or less)
You should consider the following questions with regards to your answer:
o

What has attracted you to First Group?

With First group I see myself getting the learning and the freedom I need to achieve my professional goals.
I am impressed with the energy, enthusiasm, and motivation first group provides to graduate engineers.
The on-site(or hands on learning experience) experience would be a boon(or would aid) to my professional
development. Overall it is a very good place to work and leads to a very satisfying and challenging career.

Why do you believe you will be the right match for the graduate role you are applying to at First Group?

I enjoy challenges and love the feeling of satisfaction I get from producing great work even though it may
have been difficult and there may have been intense pressure.
I enjoy working as part of a productive team and contributing to successful projects.

( For reference:
You could also relate what motivates you to the specific requirements and duties of the job you are applying for.
Think about what key skills are required by the job you are applying for and try to demonstrate that your
motivations are the same.

If you can, try to show that you are self-motivating. Give examples of times when you have motivated yourself to
achieve success, for example: completing university coursework, setting up your own business, or organising a
sports team. You do not want to appear as someone who always needs someone else to tell you what to do to
get you motivated. Show that you are prepared to push yourself for success.)
What will you find most challenging about working for First Group?

Not having all the answers. It is actually making me a stronger person and it has taught me how to dig into a
problem to find out the root cause.
OR

Not having experience in bus or rail maintenance.

What skills or experiences do you have that will help you?

Communication skills, the ability to work on teams, patience, organizational skills, a good attitude, an
open mind, and creative ideas.
Give example:
Whilst at university I volunteered to deliver a one hour presentation to a group of 45 sixth form students
as part of an Open Day at university. I had to ensure that I marketed my course and the university in a
way which was appropriate to the age group. I thoroughly researched this topic and included my own
opinions in the presentation. Time restrictions meant that I had too much material for the time allocated,
so I had to cut down the presentation by drawing out the important points. I further prepared by
presenting to my housemates as a dummy run, and used their valuable feedback to further refine the
material. I used Microsoft PowerPoint to add a visual aspect to the presentation and to reinforce the
points I had made. I used pictures and photographs to add aesthetic appeal to the presentation. I asked
questions to encourage interaction with the audience. To ensure that it would be fun I also wrote and
used an interactive quiz and an informal question and answer session. The session was rated as
excellent by over 90% of the students and I was employed to repeat it at future events with continued
success.

TEAM MANAGEMENT *
Describe a time when you have led a team or group to achieve a goal / objective (250 words or less)
o

What was the objective?

Who was in the team?

What was your role?

How did you ensure the team reached their goal / objective?

GENERAL BEHAVIOURS *
Describe a time when you have worked on a project which experienced changing demands (250 words or less)
o

What change in demands did you face?

Why was the change important?

How did you respond to the changing demands?

What was the result?