Hull Trains has teamed up with Northern to inspire the next generation of female train drivers.
The open access operator hosted the event “Women in rail – what it takes to become a train driver” at its recently-launched Learning and Development Academy on Friday 5th July.
Female students from across Yorkshire were given the opportunity to use Hull Trains’ new state-of-the-art train driver simulator, which offers the highest level of training.
The event demonstrated that Hull Trains is committed to contributing jobs and skills development in the region, while also being at the heart of innovation in the rail industry.
Lou Mendham, Service Delivery Director at Hull Trains, said: “I’m delighted that we could offer these students the chance to visit our new Learning and Development Academy, which is key to our plan of harnessing the talent of tomorrow.”
Hull Trains has forged a reputation for having an inclusive culture that specifically focuses on attracting female talent to the industry, and last year was named as the Top Employer of the Year at the Women in Rail Awards.
Recent figures show that Hull Trains’ workforce is split 51% male/49% female. 27% of the operator’s train drivers are female, which is far above the industry average of 6.5%.
Kerry Peters, Regional Director for Northern, said: “This was a great opportunity to encourage young women to consider a rewarding career in rail and showcase the talents of some of our fantastic female employees.
“We are always working to improve inclusivity in our industry and show that we welcome people from all walks of life, as they bring a wide range of skills and experiences.”
Image credit: Hull Trains