Transport to Employment in Action: Lessons from Community Transport Glasgow

By Nicola Mitchell, Development Manager for Scotland

Our latest Scottish Show and Tell session welcomed Ann O'Hare, Employability and Training Manager from Community Transport Glasgow (CTG), who shared the story behind their successful Pathways Employability Programme.

The six-month paid programme was developed to support unemployed and low-income parents into work by helping them gain D and D1 licences, CPC modules 2-4s and MIDAS training while addressing the barriers that can prevent people from accessing employment, while also helping address driver shortages across the transport sector. 

Participants commit to working 35 hours per week, combining classroom learning, home study and practical driver training. Over the course of the programme, learners work towards their D/ D1 driving qualifications, undertake theory and hazard perception training, complete Driver CPC modules 2-4, gain Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme (MiDAS) accreditation, and receive employability support to help them develop the skills, confidence and knowledge needed to help them progress successfully into work within the transport sector.

Over the past five years, the programme has supported small cohorts of around 10 learners at a time, with four courses delivered each year. Ann explained that Pathways has achieved an almost 100% pass rate among participants who start the course, with the small number of non-completions typically due to ill health or learners securing alternative employment before completing the programme.

During the session, Ann shared some valuable lessons for other organisations interested in developing similar initiatives.

1.Start with the evidence

Before designing the programme or seeking funding, CTG invested time in understanding local demand. 

Rather than assuming there would be interest, Ann took the idea directly into local Jobcentres, running drop-in sessions to test demand for driver training and employment opportunities. The response was overwhelmingly positive, generating enough interest to fill the first two to three programme cohorts before funding had even been secured.

As Ann advised:

"Find out who needs drivers and who wants to train before you approach funders."

Alongside engaging with potential participants, CTG spoke with employers facing driver shortages and third-sector organisations that could support learners throughout their journey.

The evidence gathered proved invaluable when applying for funding. It showed there was a genuine need for the programme, a pipeline of potential participants and a network of organisations ready to help make it a success.

2.Build strong partnerships

One of the strongest messages from the session was that the success of Pathways has been built on partnership working.

CTG recognised early on that many participants would need much more than driver training. For some, moving from benefits into a paid programme created uncertainty around household finances. Others required support to access services, manage debt or navigate childcare responsibilities.

Working with partners including Glasgow City Council's Financial Inclusion Team and other specialist support organisations, participants could access welfare rights advice, budgeting support, debt management guidance, CV and interview preparation support and help maximising household income.

"No single organisation can provide everything participants need."

These partnerships also enabled practical interventions when they were needed most. Ann explained that some participants experienced delays or changes to their benefits when moving onto the programme. To prevent immediate hardship, support was put in place including food parcels during the first few weeks of training, helping bridge the gap while benefit claims or payments were being adjusted. Others were supported with access to laptops and digital equipment, ensuring nobody was disadvantaged because they lacked access to technology.

These interventions may seem simple, but they removed barriers that could otherwise have prevented learners from completing their training.

3.Design training around people's lives

The Pathways programme was specifically designed with parents in mind.

Participants committed to a structured programme, but flexibility was built in wherever possible to accommodate family responsibilities and different learning styles. Classroom sessions, home study and practical driving training were balanced to support progression while recognising the realities of everyday life. Ann stressed that successful employability programmes need to recognise that people progress at different rates and face different challenges.

Ann emphasised that providing opportunities alone is not always enough.

“People need the tools to succeed.” 

"Everybody progresses differently, so flexibility is really important."

Alongside technical driving qualifications, participants receive personalised support throughout their journey. This can include guidance around childcare, household finances and managing the transition from benefits into employment.  

By taking a person-centred approach, CTG has created an environment where participants can build confidence as well as gain qualifications and practical skills. The programme is designed not simply to train drivers, but to help people succeed in the long term.

4.Focus on the end goal

While passing the driving test is a significant milestone, the programme's ultimate goal is sustainable employment.

The combination of paid learning, practical qualifications, personalised support and strong partnership working created a model that consistently delivers positive outcomes. Importantly, many of the interventions were relatively simple: connecting people with specialist advice, providing equipment to support learning, helping navigate benefits transitions and responding quickly when financial difficulties arose.

For organisations considering a similar programme, these elements may be just as important as the qualification itself.

The programme's outcomes demonstrate the value of this approach. Over the five years the project has been running, learners have gone on to secure roles across community transport and the wider transport sector, helping to address workforce shortages while creating meaningful employment opportunities for local people. This year alone, 18 participants started training. Fifteen completed the programme and progressed into employment within the community transport sector. The remaining three participants, despite not completing the course, still moved into alternative employment opportunities.

5.What can other organisations take away?

The success of the Pathways programme shows that employability projects are about far more than training alone.

The combination of paid learning, practical qualifications, personalised support and strong partnership working has created a model that consistently delivers positive outcomes. From providing food parcels during the early weeks of the programme when benefits may be interrupted, to funding laptops and digital equipment where needed, CTG has focused on removing barriers that could otherwise prevent participation.

Importantly, many of the interventions are relatively straightforward: connecting people with specialist advice, helping them navigate benefits changes, providing equipment to support learning and responding quickly when financial difficulties arise.

For organisations considering a similar programme, Ann's message was clear: understand the challenges people face and design support around them. Often, it is these practical interventions, alongside high-quality training, that make the biggest difference to success.

Final top tip

Ann's advice for organisations looking to develop a similar initiative was simple:

"Don't try to do it alone."

Start with the evidence, build strong partnerships early and take the time to understand the barriers people face. When training is combined with practical support and a clear route into employment, the impact can be transformational for individuals, communities and the transport sector alike. Design your programme around removing barriers, and the outcomes will follow.

Learn more

Ann has prepared a Toolkit to help other organisations to develop their own transport to employment projects and has received funding to deliver this support to other community transport operators. If you would like to get in contact with Ann, she can be contacted at ann.ohare@ctglasgow.org.uk.

A big thank you to Ann for sharing her expertise and experience with us! Click here to watch the session recording.

You can also get ideas and inspiration from Community Transport Glasgow here. 

If you would like to attend a future CTA event, view our upcoming online and in-person events here.