Statement from Jo Field, President, on our strategy for the next 3 years:
“Driving the Future of the Transport Industry:
I want Women in Transport to be directing the future of the transport industry. From engaging young women to join the sector and advocating for a sustainable transition away from fossil fuels, to closing the skills gap by ensuring the sector is open and safe to women and people from ethnic minority communities, Women in Transport will be a key player in the future of the industry. In doing so, we will work to ensure the industry is sustainable, diverse and inclusive of everyone.
Feedback from our members shows four key areas where we need to prioritise our efforts in the coming years:
Inspiring the Next Generation:
We will look to build the pipeline for women to join the industry, by encouraging the next generation and taking the necessary steps to improve the sector for women. It’s clear from our members we need to start engaging with young people at the time they are making career decisions. This means working with educational institutions, from schools to universities, to engage with young women so they consider transport a viable and fulfilling career path. I am passionate about working with young people to change perceptions of the industry, and believe by profiling women as role models and the range of exciting careers on offer, we can encourage more young women to join the sector.
Influencing Industry to Decarbonise:
I want Women in Transport to be seen as an active and relevant voice, so we must focus on the biggest issue that is challenging our industry: the climate crisis. We will work with the APPG for Women in Transport to influence policy and ensure sufficient progress is being made by government and industry on our net zero ambitions. We will also look to challenge barriers that prevent women from pursuing forms of active travel and work with the industry to highlight and promote best practice for transitioning to net zero.
Supporting women’s safety
Our members tell us they want to feel safe, both as transport workers and as users of the network. We will work with industry, parliamentarians and government to ensure women’s safety as public transport customers and workers is a top priority. We will seek the creation and enforcement of policies that ensure women are protected and feel safe.
Challenging Cultural and Gender Barriers:
Women in Transport will lead the transport industry in being more inclusive for everyone. We know our members from ethnic minority communities face cultural barriers to leadership. Based on this feedback, we are developing a unique leadership programme that is designed and led by our members from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. The programme will work alongside our LEAD programme and together they will help diversify the industry and close the skills gap.”
[end of President’s statement]
Membership Survey Results
Our survey was carried out in December 2021 to gain an insight into the key asks from our members and our direction for the future.
Overall, we were pleased to learn that 82% of Women in Transport members are likely to renew their membership next year and most members would recommend joining to a colleague. It’s great to know that the work our volunteers do to develop and implement the programme is valued and appreciated, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for their great work.
Highlights from the Survey:
Members enjoy attending in-person networking events and would like to see more across the UK to reflect our expanding membership
· The percentage of our membership based in London has reduced from 65% in 2020 to 46% in 2021, reflecting the growth in our regional hubs.
To support this members are happy to get involved in helping organising regional events
· 24% of members said they could organise or host events
· 52% said they could nominate a speaker from their organisation
· 13% could provide a venue
Primary benefits members cited include building networks and developing knowledge and skills
· ‘Other’ included: The lead programme (8 votes), The sense of community and support (2 votes), Help in finding myself (1 vote), Volunteering for the organisation (1 vote).
Over half of members (53%) voted that careers outreach and engaging with young people to build the pipeline for women coming into the industry should be our priority for the coming year, followed by the Climate Emergency and Women’s Safety.
· Members suggested targeting and engaging students through schools, colleges and universities.
· Recommendations included attending careers fairs, working with career services, promoting apprenticeships, organising online webinars for female students and site visits
· Members would like more educational events from Women in Transport on climate policy and updates from the sector, and want us to work with the APPG for Women in Transport to campaign for decarbonisation policy in industry and government
· Members proposed developing mandatory training on women’s safety for companies in the sector to sign up to, promotion of best practice in the sector, and working with industry to create policies to ensure women are safe while working and using transport
Members have requested more continual professional development for those at all career stages, with approximately 1/3 of our members having less than 5 years of experience in the transport sector.
o 31% of members are below manager/senior manager/associate director level
o Members have asked for support on CV tips, interview techniques, workshops on confidence building, how to tackle imposter syndrome, middle-management support to senior leadership, as well as how to develop leadership skills.
Members raised the need to provide more support for current members; including more mental health awareness, advice on remote working, and more support groups.
o Members have asked for more advice on best practice for working remotely; including on how women can influence, get noticed, and lead a team when WFH.
o 84% of members envision remote/hybrid working as part of their work situation in the next 6 months.
Quotes from the survey:
“Women in Transport is the most progressive membership I am part of, and I often reference it in my work. The up-and-coming projects will really make a difference in the industry.”
“Women in Transport is a fantastic organisation to be involved with so keep up the good work!”