A head start at getting into the industry?

Hey guys, not sure if this is the right place to put this...

A brief summary of my situation so you understand better: I'm 17 and in college doing the second year (of two) of A levels (Computing and Graphic Design if it matters). Over the summer I was debating whether to do the second year or drop out and get a job or apprenticeship or something to occupy my time. Long story short, I saw a careers advisor and there's little work in the type of thing I initially wanted to do as a career (and is still the "official" career path I want to take) which is graphic/web design for my current position, i.e. apprenticeships etc. So best thing to do was go back to college for second year and see how it goes, and if it comes to it then drop out (as if I did it the other way round I can't go back to college til another year). Anyways... I'm thinking of dropping out now. What the courses involve just isn't what I originally thought and it's not really for me.

Now, on to the point. Truthfully I want to get into the industry you guys are in, but of course I can't do that immediately as I need to be 18 before I can get started on getting a PCV license etc. What I want to ask is, do you know of anything I could do that is involved in the bus industry that could give me a head start so to speak? Like, I dunno, courses, jobs that I don't need a license for but still is within a bus company for example. Bearing in mind I intend to move on to become a driver afterwards. If not, do you have any advice? Thing is, I know about one or two courses in the industry but need to be 18+ for those too.

Thanks in advance, much appreciated.

Seriously, my advice..DON'T. The industry is about to go through massive upheaval, and recruitment will be on hold everywhere.

But if you still want to get into the hell hole that is the bus industry, you could try an 'inside grade' job as a cleaner, but be warned, with the big boys this means nights, starting at around 7pm til about 4am, which really screws your body clock up a treat.

Alright, thanks for the advice

Cleaning did cross my mind, but not the sort of thing I'd do ideally lol, and those hours especially. Not only that, until I have a car I couldn't really get home with those hours.

All these nappy rashes that are entering the industry direct from Uni are what is WRONG with the industry. They know absolutely sod all about the industry, and what it is like at 'the coal face' , and they meddle with things, and ruin the job. Worst and Stagecoach seem to go for these types of numpties.

It is time they went back to the 'old days' of management training. Working your way through the ranks, so all management actually know what the job is about!

Pukerlicious wrote:Hey guys, not sure if this is the right place to put this...

A brief summary of my situation so you understand better: I'm 17 and in college doing the second year (of two) of A levels (Computing and Graphic Design if it matters). Over the summer I was debating whether to do the second year or drop out and get a job or apprenticeship or something to occupy my time. Long story short, I saw a careers advisor and there's little work in the type of thing I initially wanted to do as a career (and is still the "official" career path I want to take) which is graphic/web design for my current position, i.e. apprenticeships etc. So best thing to do was go back to college for second year and see how it goes, and if it comes to it then drop out (as if I did it the other way round I can't go back to college til another year). Anyways... I'm thinking of dropping out now. What the courses involve just isn't what I originally thought and it's not really for me.

Now, on to the point. Truthfully I want to get into the industry you guys are in, but of course I can't do that immediately as I need to be 18 before I can get started on getting a PCV license etc. What I want to ask is, do you know of anything I could do that is involved in the bus industry that could give me a head start so to speak? Like, I dunno, courses, jobs that I don't need a license for but still is within a bus company for example. Bearing in mind I intend to move on to become a driver afterwards. If not, do you have any advice? Thing is, I know about one or two courses in the industry but need to be 18+ for those too.

Thanks in advance, much appreciated.

My advice would be to do an apprenticeship. That'll give you something to fall back on, and potential employers tend to look favourably on someone with that on their CV. Plus it would mean you'd have some experience in a trade. By all means get a driving license and learn to drive a bus but you'd be better off saving up and doing it privately as the industry, as said above will be a no-go area for a while.