Female Train Drivers Boost Avanti West Coast Diversity

Avanti West Coast hires more female train drivers, with one-third of new trainees being women. This follows a trailblazing campaign honoring Karen Harrison. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The intercity operator targets 50 percent female trainee recruits by 2030, and progress looks strong. Currently, women constitute one in three new drivers, up from one in five.

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In 2023, the campaign drew 1,000 applications from women, far exceeding past years’ totals. Consequently, trainee women drivers surged by nearly 60 percent, enhancing diversity.

Avanti West Coast unveiled a mural of Karen Harrison at London Euston station in 2023. The 8×5-meter artwork by Akse celebrates Harrison, who broke barriers in 1979.

Marta Filipiuk, inspired by Harrison’s legacy, joined Avanti as a trainee driver in 2024. Previously a minicab driver, she now nears completion of her training course.

Filipiuk credits a Glasgow train instructor for igniting her interest years ago. She urges other women to pursue this career, highlighting her rewarding journey.

Female Train Drivers Lead Industry Change

The campaign launched the rail industry’s first recruitment chatbot to engage applicants playfully. Plus, Avanti extended application windows to suit women’s decision-making habits.

Over 9,000 men also applied, setting a record for Avanti’s recruitment efforts. Successful candidates join a talent bank, awaiting training at preferred locations.

Jo MacPhail, People Director at Avanti, celebrates the campaign’s impact on gender equality. She confirms the company stays on track for its 2030 diversity goal.

Mick Whelan of ASLEF praises Karen Harrison as a feminist icon who inspired this shift. He emphasizes drivers should mirror the communities they serve.

Female Train Drivers Inspire Future Generations

Amanda Webster-Uz from Network Rail highlights Euston’s pride in hosting Harrison’s mural. She encourages more women to join the railway on International Women’s Day.

Avanti’s novel approach kept job applications open for a week, not just days. This tweak, paired with HR insights, maximized women’s participation in recruitment.

Filipiuk, now living her dream job, calls herself the luckiest person alive. Her story shows how the campaign transforms lives and workforces.

The operator’s efforts spark a broader push for equality in rail industry roles. Moreover, the campaign’s success proves the value of honoring pioneers like Harrison.

By 2030, Avanti aims to balance its trainee driver gender ratio, and trends look promising. For now, the company celebrates a 60 percent rise in women trainees.

This recruitment drive not only honors history but also builds an inclusive future. Thus, Avanti West Coast sets a benchmark for diversity in transportation.

Source, photo: newsdesk.avantiwestcoast.co.uk

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