Young women use the railway to expand their career opportunities

A group of young women studying over 60 miles apart came together to discover the roles available to women in engineering. The visit was part of the Women who Wander project, led by Community Rail Lancashire and supported by the Bishop Line Community Rail Partnership.

Students from Darlington College met with peers from Bradford studying at Shipley College, Keighley College and Parkside School Sixth Form to visit the Hitachi Rail plant at Newton Aycliffe.

The students, studying a variety of subjects from Biology to Electrical Installation, were able to see first-hand the types of roles they could go into if they choose to follow a career in engineering.

The young women met female Hitachi staff representing roles including design engineer, test engineer, marketing and communications. The Hitachi staff gave the students an insight into their own personal journeys into their current job, what and where they studied, how long they have worked at Hitachi and what their jobs entail on a day to day basis.

The students then had a factory tour to see some of the trains that are currently being manufactured at Hitachi and were able to relate what they saw back to some of the content of their courses.

Faaiza, a student from Shipley College said: “I was really impressed to find out different types of jobs and opportunities available in rail and really enjoyed visiting Hitachi. I am now seriously considering a career as a train driver.”

Youmna Khan, project lead for Bradford Skills, said: “Career Technical Education/Industrial Centre of Excellence is a great initiative that works in partnership with the employers to provide industry awareness to enable young people to make an informed decision. Initiatives like a visit to Hitachi provides young people with career awareness and opportunities within the rail industry and various routes and progressions available. We have had a successful visit and continue to develop further partnership working with Northern Rail.”

The project works towards making the rail industry a more equal, diverse and inclusive place. More women are needed to bring their voices to rail, shape the future, and become employees and passengers. Women who Wander helps to engage women and girls in experiencing rail use and producing inspiring writing in a wide range of styles, expressing their views.

Photo credit: ACoRP

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