From Fast Food to Bus Fleet Manager: How Ryan's Career Switch Led to Rapid Success in the UK Transport Industry

A Sussex man who swapped fast food for bus driving is quickly building a successful career in the industry.

Ryan Gretton had been working as a shift manager at McDonald’s for four-and-a-half years when he saw the opportunity of a bus driver apprenticeship on Stagecoach’s website.

He was quickly accepted onto the programme, completed his training with leading provider Realise and is today Duty Manager at the bus provider’s Worthing depot.

“I was looking for a change in career and a new challenge,” said Ryan, aged 27. “I thought I love driving, why not get paid for it?

“I started my apprenticeship in March 2020 and it was brilliant right from the off. Unfortunately, Covid meant my training was terminated just as I was going into my test, but when we came back I was able to finish it off.

“The Realise tutors were top-notch and were always available to help me through the process, even when the country was in lockdown.

“They all had experience themselves and shared their knowledge of how to deal with situations that arise. There is much more to it than driving, such as coping with emergency situations or difficult passengers.

“The training gave me a very strong footing for the future.”

Ryan was a Controller for two years before being promoted to Duty Manager, where he deals with the daily operation of the depot, ensuring services run seamlessly for customers.

He said: “I would definitely recommend a career in bus driving. I always wanted to progress in whatever career I was in and now I am ambitious to keep climbing the ladder in the transport sector.

“Stagecoach is an excellent company to work for. They look after their staff and support their drivers when they need it.”

The Stagecoach apprenticeship delivered in partnership with Realise is a 12-14 month programme, which gives people the training required to obtain a PCV licence and become a professional bus driver.

For more information, visit: https://realisetraining.com/courses/stagecoach-bus-driver-apprenticeship