ABC #403

IN FOCUS
WOMEN IN TRANSPORT
TRANSDEV ADDRESSING MORE
DIVERSE TRANSPORT SECTOR
THE AMBITION to deliver more equal gender
representation in the workplace is helping
mobility provider Transdev create a more
diverse workforce and smash out-dated
social traditions, it reports recently.
Since committing to the target in 2018,
women now make up to close to 30 per cent
of new employees hired at Transdev.
In its rail and light-rail operations, women
now account for more than 42 per cent
of new recruits – 20 per cent greater than
industry-wide representation within the rail
sector, it explains.
Transdev Australasia’s head of talent,
diversity and inclusion and learning and
engagement, Donna Jones, explained that
there had been significant gains in the
past two years in breaking down out-dated
perceptions about a career in public
transport.
“Traditionally, one of the biggest barriers for
women pursuing a career in public transport
has been around the perceived lack of
flexibility, which particularly affects those
with carer responsibilities. To combat this,
Transdev have made flexible work options
available for all employees, including our
frontline teams.
“In Melbourne we a have developed a
specialised all-female recruitment and
training program designed and delivered by
women to support women in transitioning
to a career in public transport, by providing
them with mentoring and training so that
they can gain the experience and confidence
to become a bus driver.”
In 2020, women accounted for 27.7 per
cent of new recruits in Transdev’s Sydney
Ferry operations and 17.7 per cent in the
company’s Australian and New Zealand bus
operations, the company reports.
For New South Wales bus trainee
Fenella Davidson, participating in
Transdev’s Journey Maker Academy bus
driver training program helped improve
her confidence during her transition from
a career in the corporate sector, Transdev
explains.
“The trainers are excellent; they take their
time building your skills and encouraging
you,” Davidson stated.
“My main issue was nerves and my trainer
spent a lot of time giving me the confidence
to believe in myself,” she said.
Now a newly qualified driver, she can’t
believe what a difference a career change
has made to her personally, Transdev states.
“I feel more awake,” she joked.
CASE STUDY:
KATIE DRIVER
Transdev Perth bus team member
Katie Driver is embracing a new
flexible lifestyle as a bus driver.
A proud Torres Strait Islander, Driver
has a family connection to public
transport through her mother, who
is a driver at Transdev’s Fremantle
depot.
After working in the mining sector
covering challenging night-shift
cleaning roles, Driver was keen to find
a new opportunity that would give
her more time to spend with friends,
family and pursue further study.
“I was keen to get back to study so
I wanted a role that would give me
flexibility to combine study and work.”
Driver applied for the Journey
Maker Academy training at Transdev
– a four-week intensive training
program for new drivers.
“At first the training was a little
challenging, but the more we went
through different scenarios the easier
it got.
“They took the time to teach
us all the different bus types and
instruments, and we had lots of time
to practise techniques until we were
confident.
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ABC March 2021 busnews.com.au