Back in 2019, Matthew Hyatt was working as a cleaner in the Gloucester Transport Hub.

Barely three years on, Matt is not only driving the buses he used to clean but has also taken steps on the managerial ladder.

It is a dramatic transformation for the Brocksworth-based 22-year-old who is now firmly part of the driving ranks with transport giant Stagecoach and an increasingly familiar face for passengers across Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.

“It’s been quite the job change,” said Matt, a former pupil at Dene Magna School in Mitcheldean.

“I’d always had one eye on becoming a bus driver but that seemed a distant dream when I began the cleaning job.

“I did around a year in that role before having a few months off and when I returned to Stagecoach, it was as an apprentice bus driver.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and I’m enjoying every second of it.”

As part of his rapid development, Matthew completed a 12-month apprenticeship run by one of the UK’s leading training providers Realise in partnership with Stagecoach.

The co-delivered apprenticeship includes achieving a PCV licence and learning the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to become a professional bus driver.

“I did a Level Two Passenger Transport apprenticeship which was brilliant because it provided a real insight into the role,” added Matthew.

“It gave me an idea of what things the job can throw up, including understanding different types of customers, emergency and hazard management and safe working practices.

“Without doing the apprenticeship, I may have found it more challenging because the course and the trainers, who are industry experts with years of experience behind them, gave a real insight in to the day-to-day life in the job.

“It was also a great chance to speak to the different apprentices about what they were encountering and to compare what was the best decisions to make in different situations.”

After an already impressive rapid rise, Matthew has continued his climb up the ladder at Stagecoach and has also been promoted to leading driver, providing direct assistance to the supervisors at the Gloucester Transport Hub.

“I’m hugely enjoying my new role,” added Matthew. “I’m helping with planning, dealing with any issues which may arise and also providing cover for any driver absences.

“I come to work every day and I’m not sure if I will be working in the office or be behind a wheel and I love that variety.

“As I provide cover for all drivers, I need to be aware of all the routes. There are more than 50 which can be tricky but you pick them up quickly and it’s fantastic to see different areas of the county and to engage with different passengers.”