Staff whose jobs are at risk at the Tuffnells depot in Oldham are being encouraged to apply for roles as bus drivers at Stagecoach.

On Monday (June 12), it was announced that more than 2,000 staff nationwide will be made redundant after Sheffield-based company Tuffnells Parcels Express fell into administration.

Now, staff at the depot on Shaw Road in Royton will have the opportunity to apply for jobs in the bus service after they are made redundant.

Stagecoach Manchester said it has bus driver vacancies across Greater Manchester with immediate starts available.

Rebecca Rathore, operations director at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “We understand what a stressful time this must be for those facing redundancy and want to welcome all Tuffnells employees to apply for vacancies at Stagecoach.

READ MORE: Delivery giant Tuffnells enters administration, with Oldham jobs at risk

“As a bus operator transporting millions of customers every day, we are able to offer applicants a secure job with a great team and excellent rates of pay with overtime opportunities.”

“Applications will be processed quickly by our recruitment team with the aim of helping people get back into work as soon as possible.”

Roles are available for both existing passenger-carrying vehicle (PCV) license holders and those looking to train to be a bus driver.

Stagecoach also has further opportunities for school bus drivers for anyone looking for weekday/term time work, which would be in the Wigan/Bolton area.

PCV license holders joining the business will be offered a £1200 welcome bonus, while those looking to gain their license will have all their training paid for and will earn from day one.

Tuffnells has appointed joint administrators at Interpath Advisory after failing to secure funding in recent weeks.

Richard Harrison, the managing director at Interpath Advisory and joint administrator with Howard Smith, said: “Unfortunately, the highly competitive nature of the UK parcel delivery market, coupled with significant inflation across the company’s fixed cost base in recent times, has resulted in the company experiencing intense pressure on cashflow.

“Regrettably, with deliveries suspended and with no prospect of them resuming in the immediate term, we have had to make the majority of staff redundant.

“Our utmost priority will be to provide all those impacted with every support they need in making claims to the Redundancy Payments Office and minimising disruption to customers.”

The majority of Tuffnells’ 2,200 employees, working across its 33 UK depots, will be made redundant, Interpath said, with just 128 staff to be retained.

There will also be about 500 contractors who are set to be affected.