Applications for Advance 2021, the mentoring programme designed for women in transport, launch on 1 October 2020. In this blog, Women in Transport member, Charlie Barnes, shares her experience of being an Advance 2020 mentee and the benefits of getting a fresh perspective on challenges that you’re facing to advance your professional development.
Read moreMaking working at home work better
We've probably all become very familiar with working from home but are we working at our best? Are we being productive and efficient? Are we enjoying our day or are our stress levels going through the roof?
To find out how we can make working from home work better, we were delighted to get some guidance, in a fun interactive webinar led by Iain Smith, Women in Transport board member and founder of Network for Skills. Christine Hurley reports on the webinar.
Read moreVital to retain and attract diverse talent post-Covid, say industry leaders
Retaining existing talent and attracting a diverse range of people to avoid future skills shortages were key points discussed at the latest Infrastructure Intelligence Covid Recovery webinar, at which our President, Katie Hulland, was a panel member.
A major focus on both retaining existing talent and attracting a diverse and creative range of new people into the industry to avoid future skills shortages emerged as the key talking points at the latest Infrastructure Intelligence webinar on Friday 31 July 2020. “Post-Covid: the skills challenge for construction”.
Read moreMaking a Virtual Impact
When working remotely became the new normal for many of us, one of the immediate changes was that team meetings and client calls became online experiences. While we may have got to grips with the technology involved in meeting via Zoom or Microsoft Teams, getting our message across effectively online can still present many challenges.
Susan Heaton-Wright, a communications and speaking coach, who specialises in helping people to make an impact in both virtual and real life conversations, recently ran a highly interactive virtual masterclass for our members which was jam-packed with hints and tips on making an impact in online.
Read moreManaging a psychologically fit team remotely
Working from home definitely has its advantages, such as giving up our daily commute and spending more time with our families. But it's not all good news as working alone can result in loss of focus and, combined with isolation and feelings of uncertainty about the current situation, can adversely affect our productivity and mental wellbeing.
The role of the manager of a remote team in these difficult times is unprecedented, so we invited Mark Sharratt, a leadership development consultant, to run an online session for our members providing guidance in managing a productive and psychologically fit team.
Read moreBreaking down the barriers to cycling on World Bicycle Day
On World Bicycle Day, Women in Transport member Joanna Ward shares her experience of being a ‘new’ returning bike user and the worries and concerns that can bring, tackling common barriers and sharing advice on how to to overcome these concerns to help you ‘get on your bike’.
Read moreInvesting in cycling and walking: an opportunity to bridge the mobility gender gap?
Our World Bicycle Day, Mailys Garden reflects on whether the recently announced funding for walking and cycling infrastructure in the UK, as part of the route to recovery during the COVID-19 crisis, provides an opportunity to bridge the ‘mobility gender gap’.
Read moreTop Tips for supporting and managing your team working from home
In the current situation we are all adjusting to new ways of working and, in particular, working from home. Iain Smith, Women in Transport Board Member and Principal Consultant and Founder of Network for Skills, gives his top tips for managing your team remotely
Read moreTop Tips for working from home
With the move to homeworking now being a reality for many of us, we have put together some guidance which we hope will help you get the most from working in this way.
We recognise we have a mix of experiences when it comes to home working - for some this is the first time of working in this way, others may have been working in this way for a long time and for some this is not a way of working that they enjoy. Whatever your situation, we hope these tips will help you to stay focused, productive and positive.
Read moreCommunication & collaboration – the reason behind a new online platform - talk-mobility
The idea for an online collaborative platform for the highways and ITS industry is a concept of Women in Transport member, Helen Blood. Late 2019 she approached the Institute of Highways Engineers (IHE), thanks to an introduction by a long-standing client and IHE member, looking for support to realise her idea. As a key organisation supporting the highways industry, then IHE Chairman Richard Hayes immediately saw the potential for such a platform and discussions commenced.
Read moreDelivering essential services – celebrating the unsung heroes
In this guest blog, Women in Transport member, Shelley Benson, Communications Director at Eurovia UK shares her personal thoughts on the essential role of frontline transport workers as we navigate the challenges of the Coronvirus pandemic.
Read moreBoard Member Insight - Iain Smith
Like many people, Women in Transport board member, Iain Smith, got into transport by chance just to fill a gap and he absolutely loved it. He worked for London Underground/Transport for London for 24 years in numerous roles from front line operation to senior management. These days Iain works as an independent consultant and, although he is not exclusively in transport he still considers it his 'home'. In this Board Insight, Iain talks about his career, his role at Women in Transport and gives some sound advice to those seeking a career in transport.
Read moreMember Insight - Jillian Kowalchuk, Safe & The City
Safe & the City is the only street-smart app helping you get to your destination not just the fastest way, but the safer one. They combine official police and crowdsourced incidents to inform people along with their journeys, while building data-driven geospatial intelligence across private and public sectors in order to safer, more inclusive spaces to walk, study, shop, work and live. On International Women’s Day 2020, the app will celebrate its second birthday. In this blog, founder and CEO of Safe & the City, Jillian Kowalchuk talks to us about their journey so far, plans for the future and why she joined Women in Transport.
Read moreMember Insight - Claire Smith, HCT Group
HCT Group is the world’s leading transport social enterprise, safely providing over 30 million passenger trips on our buses every year and making a real difference in our communities. They joined Women in Transport in November 2019 as corporate members.
In our latest member insight blog, Claire Smith, Head of Community Transport and Stakeholder Engagement for HCT Group, tells us what she likes about working in the transport sector, what her job involves and why she joined Women in Transport.
Read more9 pieces of advice from the women of Mott MacDonald
Following a career break, Maha and Sunisha joined WORK180 Endorsed Employer for Women, Mott MacDonald, through their Re:Connectors programme in 2018. In this blog, Maha and Sunisha share nine pieces of advice they would offer to their younger selves and young women today.
Read moreAccelerating diversity in the bus industry
As we approach the first anniversary of Women in Transport Bus, founding member Chloe Leach-O’Connell reviews what the group achieved in 2019, the support we’ve received and looks ahead to the future as the New Year commences.
Read moreThe train driver you never expected
“The rail industry is still male-dominated, but Southeastern Railway is working to improve this and has set a new target for encouraging more females to apply to become drivers. In the past, I thought it may have been out of reach - but here I am."
Southeastern’s latest train driver recruit, Mary Saphy, dispels any preconceived idea about what train drivers do each day.
Read moreThe lowdown on diversity and inclusion
Our Women in Transport Bus steering group is working to accelerate diversity in the bus industry through change and awareness. We have produced a factsheet to highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion in our sector with a specific focus on the gender gap in buses.
Read moreWomen in Transport Member Survey Results
Why do people join Women in Transport? What do members think about the events and activities? The board and membership committee had these same questions on our minds. To get the answers, the inaugural Women in Transport member survey was conducted this past summer.
Read moreWhat advice would you give a younger you in the transport industry?
Audrey Ezekwesili a long-standing member of Women in Transport and has been a mentor on Advance since the pilot programme. Audrey is a change management specialist with over 20 years’ experience in the transport industry and a qualified coach. Here she shares her thoughts on being a mentor on the programme.
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