When is National Coach Week
The third National Coach Week takes place from 8 – 12 April 2024.
What is National Coach Week?
National Coach Week showcases the vital role that coaches make in getting people to their destinations, supporting businesses and boosting the economy.
It’s a campaign to increase awareness of how important coaches are, the job they do and the career opportunities the sector offers.
The industry employs approximately 45,000 people nationwide, and coach travel plays an irreplaceable role in communities across the UK and in the wider economy.
National Coach Week is organised by the RHA.
What will National Coach Week involve in 2024?
The campaign focuses on the people and skills that keep the industry rolling. It’s an opportunity to showcase the drivers and others behind the scenes who all ensure that coaches can perform the important role they do.
It aims to secure buy-in from politicians to help celebrate the unique role of coaches in public transport and the wider economy and establish the different needs of the coach industry to the bus industry and garner support for key policy priorities among political stakeholders.
Why National Coach Week?
National Coach Week is a celebration of an industry that plays a huge role in all our lives but is all too often taken for granted. Every day coaches get more than half a million school and college students to their place of education. When trains don’t run, or aircraft are diverted, coaches step in to bridge the gaps and get people to their destinations.
We think that those unsung heroes who make all these things happen are worth celebrating and this year’s event focuses on them, highlighting the jobs they do and opening up the opportunities for those seeking a rewarding career.
How does National Coach Week help the industry?
Political engagement
National Coach Week will aim to secure buy-in from politicians to help celebrate the unique role of coaches, establish the different needs of the coach industry to the bus industry, and get support for key policy priorities among political stakeholders.
We will invite MPs and local politicians to recognise the industry and show their support for it, posting on social media, supporting events or by visiting their local coach operator.
RHA Manifesto for the Coach Industry
We (RHA) published our first policy document for the coach industry in 2021. Since then, the policy matters have been regularly reviewed and updated to ensure those key issues the industry faces are be reflected in our asks of government – skills shortages, net zero, facilities, international travel, infrastructure and cost pressures.
We will launch our “Manifesto for the Coach Industry” during National Coach Week and will appeal to the governments of today and the future to recognise the considerable contribution the industry makes to our lives, and work with us to tackle the issues it faces, now and in the future.
How to get involved?
We’ll be showcasing events around the country on social media and you’re invited to do the same, if you’ve something to say about coaches then you can help us to spread the word of National Coach Week by including the hashtag #NationalCoachWeek on any posts.
Download the social media and campaign material from the link above.
Follow posts that mention #NationalCoachWeek and spread the word among your contacts.
Do it in 50 seconds
If you love working in the coach industry, don’t keep it to yourself, tell the world!
- Record a 50sec blog about what you do
- This is yours but typically it might include what you do, where you work, how long you’ve been doing it but above all, tell us why you love it so much.
- Post your clip to social media accounts on X, LinkedIn or Facebook
- Include the hashtag #NationalCoachWeek
Don’t forget to include the hashtag: #NationalCoachWeek
Peterborough Coach Careers Showcase
if you’re in the Peterborough area on Tues 9th April, come and say hello to the National Coach Week Team at Cathedral Arch, Cathedral Sq, Peterborough, PE1 1XH: 1000 – 1300
If you’re looking for a new direction for your career, then the coach industry could be for you. We’ll be showcasing our state of the art driver training simulator and there will be opportunities to try driving a coach for yourself
- Talk to industry professionals.
- Explore training options.
- Get advice on the opportunities available.