As part of the Women in Aviation & Aerospace Charter’s Meet the Signatories series, members of the Charter explain why they joined the Charter, and what steps they have since taken to ensure the inclusion of women in the sectors.
Next in the series, we talk to Women in Transport:
Please name your organisation and explain what it does in the aviation or aerospace industry
Women in Transport is a not for profit organisation promoting and supporting the advancement of women working in all modes of the transport industry including rail, road, shipping and aviation.
Women are very under-represented in transport, at just 20 per cent of the workforce, and, while there are many women’s equality networks and groups, Women in Transport is focused specifically on employment, career advancement and retention of women within the industry. Women in Transport is involved in many initiatives to encourage more women into all sectors of the transport industry.
Why did you join the Women in Aviation & Aerospace Charter?
Commenting on the Women In Aviation and Aerospace Charter, Katie Hulland, President of Women in Transport said, ”We feel it is vital to support this initiative to drive gender equality in the aviation sector. We believe that collaboration across the transport industry is essential to promote the positive change needed to unlock the potential talent pool that women offer to the industry and to UK growth.”
What steps are your organisation now taking to help improve gender balance in the industry?
At Women in Transport.we use our social media and communication channels to raise the profile of women working in transport and to showcase the diversity of opportunity within the sector. We support the development and progression of women working in the industry through networking, professional development, mentoring and volunteering opportunities.
In 2016, we formed the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Women in Transport with MPs across the political spectrum. Chaired by Ruth Cadbury MP, the group provides a forum to discuss and overcome the under-representation of women in the transport industry by promoting best practice examples of employers leading the way in gender diversifying their workforce. Our plan for this year is to publish a policy paper highlighting best practice and providing a snapshot of what it is like to be a woman in the transport industry in the UK. As part of the research, we will look at how the pandemic has affected women working in the sector. We will also gain women’s views about their role in the recovery. We believe collaboration across the sector and Governmental support is the key to unlocking the potential talent pool that women offer to the transport sector.