Bus operators Stagecoach are doing their bit to get more women to get into engineering in Manchester and across the UK.
The travel service that provides buses around theGreater Manchester andCheshire area has launched a new campaign called, ‘Engineering Your Future’, the aim of which is to encourage more women to pursue a career in the field.
WhileStagecoach Manchester has around 130 skilled engineers who ensure their various fleets of vehicles are well-maintained and able to meet the demand for everyday travel, only 3.1% of their skilled engineer workforce are women.
Keeping that in mind, their goal is to address theunderrepresentation of women in both the engineering and transport sectors from 2023 onwards.
Spotlighting three of their talented engineers, Karen, Jess and Chelsea, each of them goes on to explain how they got into engineering, the transport industry as a whole and what the job involves.
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The campaign aims to help promote the opportunities available through Stagecoach’s engineering apprenticeship programme, hopefully, encouraging more women to apply.
Crucially, it’s worth noting that Stagecoach Manchester are just looking to hire people at entry level and leave them to it; many of their apprentices have gone on to be managers and even Engineering Directors after completing their studies and going into employment with the company.
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Janine Summers, Regional Director at Stagecoach and a driving force behind the campaign said: “At Stagecoach, we are committed to supporting and promoting women across the transport sector, so we would love to see more women starting their careers with us and coming through our ranks.”
“I’d urge any woman to explore her options and consider engineering as their career path. This is the beginning of something special at Stagecoach.”
This year, we’d love to see more women join our workforce at Stagecoach Manchester, particularly through our upcoming Apprenticeship programme which is set to launch next month.
Register your interest in an apprenticeship with Stagecoach Manchester here: https://t.co/7524SEuWRr
— Stagecoach Manchester & Wigan (@StagecoachGM) March 8, 2023
Moreover, the launch of the campaign is part of Stagecoach’s wider commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive working environment, aiming to attract, recruit and retain a diverse workforce.
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They have set themselves the target of achieving 40% of women in leadership roles and workforce in which 25% identify as an ethnic minority by 2026. Representation matters and we’re always happy to hear local business taking this seriously — it’s more than just words.
Stagecoach has employee-led diversity and inclusion networks, including those supporting women and in the last 12 months these networks have led the charge when it comes to developing new family-friendly policies such as miscarriage, maternity, paternity and adoption leave. You love to see it.
Operations Director Rebecca Rathore said: “Women have long been underrepresented in engineering, especially in the transport sector. Stagecoach Manchester is committed to changing that and helping women achieve their full potential.
“Working in public transport is enjoyable and rewarding and our depot teams are supportive and friendly places to work. It’s one big family.”
As for MD, Lee Wasnidge, he assured that: “Stagecoach recognises people of all genders and backgrounds. We know everyone plays a fundamental role in our success. We have a duty to create a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve.”
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If you or someone you know is looking for a career change and might want to spearhead a new generation of engineers and women in the transport sector, you can visit Stagecoach Manchester’s careers page for more information and register your interest in an apprenticeship HERE.
A massive power ballads club night is heading to Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A club night dedicated to the majesty of power ballads is heading to Manchester this spring.
Power Up – the Ultimate Power Ballad Night will encourage punters to belt out some of the biggest songs in history well into the night.
Tune up your air guitars, round up your mates, squeeze those eyes tight shut and scream your heart out to classic power ballads from the likes of Meat Loaf, Queen, Whitney Houston and loads more.
This beloved power ballads night out will be at the O2 Ritz Manchester over Easter weekend, with an early club night that will kick off at 9pm and wrap up at 1am.
You’ll be able to put the venue’s iconic sprung dance floor through its paces as you bound around to some of the world’s biggest anthems.
The playlist will include artists like Journey, Bon Jovi, Bonnie Tyler, Phil Collins, Belinda Carlisle, and many more.
If you’ve not been to a Power Up night out before, you can expect DJs throwing blow-up guitars and microphones into the crowd, non-stop fist-clenching anthems, and a setlist that’ll leave you hoarse from belting the next morning,
This next installment will be taking place at the O2 Ritz Manchester on Saturday 19 April, between 9pm and 1am.
This is a strictly 18+ event. Tickets cost £10 in advance – you can find out more and grab your tickets HERE.
‘Stories – Brought to Life’ – Massive new immersive art experience confirms ticket prices and famous faces
Daisy Jackson
A major new National Portrait Gallery exhibition, called Stories – Brought to Life, is heading to Salford this year, and it’s just announced some major new details.
The ground-breaking new experience by FRAMELESS Creative will be opening at MediaCity in May, bringing some of the world’s most famous portraits to life like never before.
With tickets on sale today, visitors will be able to step inside iconic portraits including Grayson Perry, Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, Emmeline Pankhurst, Queen Elizabeth I and William Shakespeare.
Stories – Brought to Life will explore the fascinating lives of these figures, who have shaped the UK’s history and culture all the way since the Tudor period.
The major new exhibition will combine the highest quality digital projection, Hollywood-style visual effects and the latest audio technology, along with specially created musical scores and creative narratives to shine a new light on each individual.
Rich Storton, General Manager at FRAMELESS Creative, said: “Through this first of its kind collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery’s curatorial team, we’ve reimagined each of the portraits, adding a fresh, exciting and emotional dimension to each of the sitters’ stories.
“Through excerpts of speeches, archival photography, original animation and a dynamic soundscape our aim is to entertain and captivate new audiences with these incredible portraits, bringing them to life through unparalleled immersive storytelling.”
‘Stories – Brought to Life’ – Massive new immersive art experience confirms ticket prices and famous faces. Credit: Antonio Pagano
Rab MacGibbon, Cross-Collections Curator at the National Portrait Gallery, added: “The National Portrait Gallery is home to the largest collection of portraits in the world. Featured on our walls are some of the most remarkable people to have ever lived, who have shaped – and are continuing to shape – our nation.
“This immersive experience created by FRAMELESS is enabling the Gallery to share the Collection like never before. From Elizabeth I to Malala Yousafzai, we hope that the stories featured in the experience will really capture people’s imaginations.”
To create Stories – Brought to Life, the National Portrait Gallery granted FRAMELESS’ award-winning team access to its collection.
The experience will open on 2 May and run until 31 August at MediaCity, Greater Manchester, before going on a UK tour (dates to be announced).
Ticket prices for Stories – Brought to Life at MediaCity
In advance – Adult from £21.95 / Child from £11.95
On the day – Adult from £23.95 / Child from £13.95
Flexible entry time ticket – Adult from £26.95 / Child from £16.95
Family Ticket – 2 adults & 2 children from £55
Concessions and discounts for Stories – Brought to Life at MediaCity
Students (via Student Beans): 25% discount
Blue Light Card holders: 25% discount
Pension Credit / Benefits: 25% discount, available on Mondays only
Carer Tickets: free entry for one carer with the purchase of a disabled ticket
£10 ‘Affordable’ Tickets – limited number – available on selected Mondays only