St Mary’s students enjoy busload of fun with Stagecoach

Students from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School were given an interactive careers day at the Beacon of Light with Stagecoach Group to celebrate one year of partnership between the Foundation of Light and the public transport providers.

The Year Six students discussed a wide range of careers with representatives from Stagecoach and staff at the Foundation of Light, as part of a Premier League Primary Stars session with a difference.

The main attraction was provided by Stagecoach, who showcased one of their brand-new EV buses while giving the young pupils an insight into the World of Work and varied career options with the public transport provider.

Students were then shown other education and careers routes with the Foundation of Light, taking a tour of some of the Beacon’s facilities including the different ‘World of Work’ zones.

Stagecoach North East Training Officer, Michael Emmet, was amongst those who provided an insight into different career pathways on the day.

“I was asked to talk to a group of Year Six children about career prospects within the bus industry as part of the Foundation,” he explained.

“We’ve brought the children one of our ‘mega buses’ as I was asked to introduce them to our new fleet that’s coming in the North East.

“Sunderland will be the first depot to get 20 brand new electric vehicles and it’s important to introduce that to the young people because these vehicles are going to be the new future.”

On the career pathways that were discussed, Michael added: “Within the business, there’s all sorts of things we can go and look at.

“Whether it’s engineering, cleaning, paint shop, bodywork, or to training officers like myself, planning, commercial, marketing, and that kind of stuff.

“So it’s very insightful just to give them that fist-hand approach about the career prospects out there.”

Stagecoach North East have previously showcased one of their buses at the Beacon of Light during the Foundation’s school holiday courses.

“It’s a connection and a bond that we create in the North East,” Michael added on the ongoing relationship between Stagecoach and the Foundation of Light.

“It’s good to provide this service for the community and the facilities at the Beacon is a perfect way to demonstrate what we do as part of our community.”

Primary Stars aims to inspire children to learn using the appeal of professional football clubs to engage young people.

Following the presentation from Stagecoach, the St Mary’s students were shown other career routes in the Beacon of Light including the hospitality industry in the Ministry of Food kitchen and the emerging Esports industry in the British Esports gaming room.