BIRMINGHAM'S burgeoning Irish Quarter has been given a boost with the news National Express plans to recruit 30 new staff at Digbeth coach station.
The positions include 20 new drivers and 10 customer facing staff.
The new positions have been created as part of a restructuring process that National Express say will see Digbeth coach station become more of a 'people place', focussed on delivering first class customer service.
The drivers will work across the National Express network and have the opportunity to drive the new NXL shuttles, National Express' showcase luxury coaches that were introduced earlier this year.
They will also be responsible for the comfort, safety and wellbeing of their passengers whilst they are travelling.
National Express say the customer facing staff will be responsible for making Digbeth coach station 'a warm, friendly and welcoming place'.
In a new move for National Express Birmingham, there will be a general manager to oversee the station as well as two customer experience managers, to supervise operations and ticket sales. They will be supported by a team of 25 who will welcome, direct and help customers.
The new employees will play a key role in helping to shape plans for the redevelopment of Digbeth coach station. National Express and Make architects are preparing outline plans for the coach station, with a view to submitting a planning application to Birmingham City Council in 2005.
The new customer centred approach is being modelled on a similar National Express scheme established in Manchester. Since it was redeveloped in 2002 customer numbers have increased by 20 per cent.
The new structure will also benefit staff by introducing opp-ortunities for career development.
Chief executive Denis Wormwell said: "These are exciting times for National Express in Birmingham, for both our customers and staff. Our new structure at Digbeth offers high profile positions that provide opportunities for personal and professional development. It's about finding the right people for these jobs, who will be committed to delivering the best possible customer experience. Potential drivers do not necessarily need to hold a driving licence. Our view is if they are good with people and show the potential to excel at interacting with our customers, then we will teach them to drive.
"Getting the right team of people in place is a vital part of our plans for developing a world-class coach station at Digbeth that the city of Birmingham, its residents and visitors, will be proud of."
Anybody interested in being part of the coach station team should send their CV and a covering letter to jobs@nationalexpress.com or drivingjobs@nationalexpress.com or call 0121 423 8438 for an application form.