D&E Coaches has named Calum Mcgregor (pictured, left) as Engineering Director. He returns to the Inverness operator after four years away and was previously its workshop manager.
Mr Mcgregor brings 40 years’ experience in the coach and bus industry. He will oversee all engineering functions at D&E and its 62-strong fleet. In addition, Mr Mcgregor will focus on the business’s apprenticeship pathway for engineers, with D&E saying that it aims to “provide the best learning environment for young people entering into the mechanical engineering trade.”
Speaking about the appointment, D&E Coaches Director Amy Nicholson says: “We are delighted to welcome Calum back. We know that he is the best person to ensure that our fleet is well maintained – and that our apprentices are getting the hands-on learning experiences they need to thrive.”
Mr Mcgregor explains that D&E currently has two engineering apprentices, with a third to join this month. “Since I have been back, I have spoken to them all and I can’t fault their attitude. They arrive every morning ready to learn and to play their part in maintaining the fleet.
“Coming back to D&E Coaches is like being welcomed back from a long trip by your family. The majority of the people I worked with previously are still here in the business, which says a lot about the working environment. It was an easy decision to make.”
He adds that recruitment of engineering apprentices is vital and “allows us to secure the future of the business.” D&E Coaches observes a mix of formal training courses, and hands-on experience with time-served mechanics in its own workshop across the three-year training period. The former involves visits to GTG Training in Glasgow.
Adds Ms Nicholson: “From time in the workshop to the correct way to fill out paperwork, the apprentices will hugely benefit from the experience of Calum and the whole engineering team.
“Our mechanics know everything there is about the latest technologies – but they are old-school at heart. If one of the apprentices comes into the office asking for a paperclip, I know it is because of a time-tested trick one of their mentors has passed onto them.”
Among current apprentices is Scott Campbell (pictured, middle), 19. He has also obtained a PCV licence while with D&E and was named Young Employee of the Year at the Highland Business Awards in 2021 for his work ethic, teamwork, and dedication to training.
