TransPennine Express (TPE) is “ahead of the curve” with almost a quarter of the operator’s fleet and engineering team being female.
With International Women in Engineering Day taking place yesterday, on Sunday 23rd June, TPE announced that 22% of its team are women, above the UK average of 16.5%.
However, the operator wants to continue driving up the number of female employees by empowering women to join the rail industry.
Bushra Khan, Head of Engineering at TPE, said: “While we are well ahead of the curve, we want to continue to empower and inspire more women to join us in the rail industry.
“It’s really important that women get into these roles so there is more representation which reflects the communities we serve.”
Leeanne Matuszczyk worked in the RAF as an avionics technician before making the move to the rail industry, where she is now a fleet maintenance planner for TPE.
Leeanne said: “It’s a very diverse job and there is something for everyone, no matter your personality, no matter your skills, there is something for you in the rail industry.
“There's always someone around to support you and to help you succeed.”
Caitlin Gent had previously wanted to be a weapons engineer in the Royal Navy before undertaking an apprenticeship at TPE, where she is now an assistant commercial director.
She said: “Even though I'm in a traditionally male dominated environment, I have always felt supported. “It is important to raise awareness of the different roles in engineering for women. It could be anything from working in a diesel depot, to being in an office dealing with data.”
The Women’s Engineering Society introduced International Women in Engineering Day in the UK in 2014.
Image and video credit: TransPennine Express
