\u00a0 \u00a0 Recognising the imperative for greater representation and inclusivity, Go-Ahead has pledged an investment of \u00a38m to upgrade bus depot facilities, fostering environments where female colleagues can thrive. This investment underscores the company\u2019s dedication to creating inclusive workplaces that empower individuals regardless of gender.<\/p>\n Indeed, the statistics speak volumes: according to recent data from Women in Bus and Coach, women comprise a mere 10% of the workforce in the bus industry. Go-Ahead\u2019s initiative not only aims to bridge this gender gap but also serves as a catalyst for broader societal change.<\/p>\n Presently, with 11.5% of bus driver roles occupied by women within Go-Ahead\u2019s bus companies, the need for change is evident. The company\u2019s stance, particularly on International Women\u2019s Day, reaffirms its commitment to challenging industry norms and driving meaningful progress.<\/p>\n Crucially, the recruitment drive is complemented by an extensive eight-week fully paid training programme, designed to equip new hires with the skills and confidence necessary for success. This investment in professional development underscores Go-Ahead\u2019s commitment to nurturing talent and providing equal opportunities for advancement.<\/p>\n Gender equality isn\u2019t just a goal \u2013 it\u2019s a commitment to building a better future for all<\/p>\n Matt Carney, chief executive of Go-Ahead\u2019s bus division, said: \u201cGender equality isn\u2019t just a goal \u2013 it\u2019s a commitment to building a better future for all. By setting an ambitious target to achieve 50% gender parity by 2035 and investing \u00a38m to support women drivers in their work environment, we are taking decisive steps to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace.\u201d<\/p>\n Carolyn Ferguson, chief people officer for the Go-Ahead Group said: \u201cWe firmly believe that diversity drives innovation and success. We\u2019re investing in training and development opportunities for women drivers, and by doing this we\u2019re not only enriching our workforce but also paving the way for a more sustainable and inclusive future.\u201d <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Koli Begum is a trailblazing bus driver and mentor based at Northumberland Park Garage. Koli has emerged as a powerful advocate for women in transport and a driving force behind the company\u2019s driver apprenticeship scheme. Her journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and a genuine passion to inspire others.<\/p>\n Over the past three years, Koli has made a remarkable impact, earning the title of a \u2018woman with real drive\u2019. She defies age and gender stereotypes, paving the way for more women to enter the bus industry. Drawing from her personal experience as a caregiver, Koli champions passenger accessibility.<\/p>\n In October 2022, Koli\u2019s dedication led to a well-deserved promotion to the position of driver mentor. In this role, she inspires the next generation of women drivers, ensuring the best possible passenger experience. Her mentees commend her for keeping them motivated, navigating challenges, and sharing a genuine passion for the job and the industry.<\/p>\n Recognised nationally in November 2022 with the Luke Rees-Pulley Award for Top London Bus Driver at the UK Bus Awards, Koli\u2019s exceptional contribution to the industry and inspiring story garnered attention. And most recently she was awarded the 2023 Apprentice Award at the Everywoman awards for Transport and Logistics. <\/p>\n Koli\u2019s impact extends to recruitment drives, where she has contributed to the recruitment of over 50 female drivers. Her dedication has earned her a place on the \u2018Passenger Transport Driver \u2013 Bus, Coach, and Tram\u2019 trailblazer sub-group, allowing her to share knowledge and experiences as an apprentice to assist in rethinking industry standards.<\/p>\n Koli Begum has served as a mentor for approximately 1.5 years. Her exemplary mentorship is evident in her proactive approach to learning, personal commitment to apprentices\u2019 success, and the creation of a supportive and inclusive environment that fosters growth and development. <\/p>\n \u00a0 DON\u2019T MISS OUT \u2013 GET YOUR COPY! \u2013\u00a0click here to subscribe!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The post Go-Ahead sets stage for equality<\/a> first appeared on Passenger Transport<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u200b\u00a0<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Go-Ahead Women campaign aims to recruit 1,500 new women bus drivers, with 50% goal by 2035 \u00a0The Go-Ahead Women campaign was launched this week \u00a0 The Go-Ahead Group has launched a campaign this month aimed at revolutionising the traditionally male-dominated landscape of the transport sector. Under the banner of \u2018Go-Ahead Women\u2019, the company is poised to recruit 1,500 new women…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":3909,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[60],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3908","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-camcab"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/camcab.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3908"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/camcab.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/camcab.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/camcab.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3908"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/camcab.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3908\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/camcab.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3909"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/camcab.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3908"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/camcab.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3908"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/camcab.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3908"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
The Go-Ahead Women campaign was launched this week<\/em><\/p>\n
\nThe Go-Ahead Group has launched a campaign this month aimed at revolutionising the traditionally male-dominated landscape of the transport sector. Under the banner of \u2018Go-Ahead Women\u2019, the company is poised to recruit 1,500 new women bus drivers across its bus operations, with a firm commitment to achieving 50% gender equality by 2035. This ambitious target not only marks a significant milestone for Go-Ahead but also sets a compelling precedent for the entire industry.<\/p>\nMeet Koli Begum<\/strong>, Go-Ahead\u2019s advocate for more women bus drivers<\/h5>\n
This story appears inside the latest issue of\u00a0Passenger Transport<\/em>.<\/strong><\/p>\n