A BUS operator which helps its colleagues take on new skills has been honoured for its work.

First Bus has been named the best large organisation for employee learning by the Campaign for Learning.

The national accolade recognises the company’s contribution to the Learning at Work Week, a national initiative that took place last May.

Throughout the week, thousands of colleagues at 60 nation-wide sites across First Bus, including First York, benefitted from online learning courses and e-learning tools. Activities across the First York depots also included photography, fishing, walking, badminton and fitness courses, as well as the opportunity to shadow colleagues across the business.

First Bus also won the ‘Employers Working in Partnership’ award in a joint entry with Unite – the UK’s largest trade union.

Most activity was concentrated around the First York Learning Centre, which helps colleagues develop and learn new skills: how to use a computer, the internet, email or social media; or improve existing skills such as numeracy and literacy. Amongst hundreds of options, it even offers courses in scuba diving and conversational Spanish.

Hansi Jackson, head of learning and development at First York, said: “We constantly seek new ways to not only engage colleagues, but to also encourage self-development. Given participating in the National Learning at Work Week was a first for First Bus, I’m delighted that we’ve picked up not one, but two awards."