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Credit: First Bus and Money First Aid

UK bus operator First Bus has rolled out financial wellbeing training for employees following a successful pilot programme.

Through a partnership with Money First Aid, First Bus staff will be able to undertake a continuing professional development certified online training course designed to provide initial support to colleagues who are experiencing financial challenges. The employer is targeting 300 members of staff, including all mental health first aiders, wellbeing champions, and managers, to undertake the training.

The training focuses on financial challenges that are difficult to talk about and prepares staff to hold effective, confidential and compassionate conversations about money, as well as signpost toward appropriate resources and professional help. First Bus is aiming to address challenges head-on, by creating an environment where difficulties can be openly discussed without stigma so its workforce feels supported and resilient.

As part of its commitment to learning and development, the training also ensures that its 14,000 employees across all levels of the organisation have access to practical and compassionate financial support, and an opportunity to grow their skills while actively contributing to a positive workplace culture.

The decision to permanently roll the training out follows a successful pilot programme that received positive feedback from participants. They reported feeling more confident, better equipped to have meaningful conversations about financial stress and able to signpost to additional support.

Gareth Hind, director of colleague experience and relations at First Bus, said: “We’re proud to be deepening our partnership with Money First Aid and roll out this training more widely across the business. By continuing to work with Money First Aid, we’re able to better support the financial wellbeing of our employees. We want to ensure First Bus is a great place, to be, work and grow, and this partnership demonstrates our continued commitment to putting our people at the heart of our business.”