Edinburgh's favourite bus driver

25/03/2008

Lothian bus driver, Robert Skeldon, who is supported by Capability Scotland’s WORKSTEP programme received a very special accolade in March.  Robert, was crowned as Edinburgh’s Favourite Bus Driver at Lothian Buses, Annual Awards which were sponsored by the Metro.

Robert had just finished his apprenticeship as a painter and decorator when he had an accident which crushed his hip.  Written off as ‘unfit to work’ by health professionals, Robert was unemployed for 14 years until he got a hip replacement that helped turn his life around.  He decided that a career driving buses was for him as it would mainly be a sedentary job.  However, his disability did prove to be an obstacle as he found some companies unwilling to take him on.  At this point Capability Scotland was able to step in and offer Robert some support which resulted in him successfully applying for a job with Lothian Buses and he hasn’t looked back since.

Commenting on his award Robert said: “I was starting to think that I would never work again however the WORKSTEP programme and Lothian Buses gave me the chance to start again. I really do enjoy my job as a bus driver, and I feel very honoured to have won this award."

George McKendrick, Lothian Buses operations manager, added: "Capability Scotland has given us tremendous support and enabled Robert to get back into full-time employment. He is a very keen and determined employee who doesn't let his mobility problems get in the way of carrying out his job as a bus driver for the UK's best bus company."

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