Govia Thameslink Railway calls for budding engineers to consider rail careers

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is marking International Women in Engineering Day on 23^rd June with an interactive online event to offer an insight into engineering careers in the rail industry.

While aiming to attract more women to consider the sector, the event is open to anyone considering a role in engineering. Attendees will hear from colleagues from the rail operator, including Engineering Director, Steve Lammin, and Apprentice Engineer, Twinkle Clarke, as well as key partners from the wider engineering industry.

The event will be presented in two online video webinars, offering a morning (10:30 - 12:30) and afternoon session (14:30 - 16:30).

Arranged to highlight the organisation’s continued commitment to increasing diversity both in-house and across the rail industry, the webinar will offer a chance to learn more about the organisation from those working in a range of engineering roles, and the exciting career opportunities on offer across GTR’s network.

Over the past year the rail operator - which runs Southern, Gatwick Express, Thameslink and Great Northern services - has undertaken targeted recruitment advertising campaigns for female-focused websites and audiences in order to attract more women to consider a railway career – this has resulted in increased applications for train driver and engineering roles, as well as engineering apprenticeships. Applications for female train drivers in particular jumped by an impressive 78% from 2019 to 2020.

Steve Lammin, Engineering Director at GTR, said, “As the largest train operating company in the UK, it goes without saying that engineering is a major part of the business. We’re always on the lookout for our future talent and are pleased to see an increase in applications for various engineering roles across the company this year. We’re continually working to attract more women into the rail industry and this event forms part of our wider commitment to greater diversity in this space.”

As well as internal colleagues offering their insight into being a female in the industry, attendees will also hear from guest speakers.

Paula McMahon is a Chartered Civil Engineer at Sir Robert McAlpine and hopes to encourage other women on their own engineering journey. She said, “I’m really excited to be part of this event with GTR. My session centres around personal experience of being underrepresented in my sector and offers advice to those entering the world of work for the first time, as well as those seeking a career change. I would love the rail sector to have a diverse workforce that reflects the society it serves.”

Cate Anthony, Tunnel Design Engineer at Dr Sauer & Partners Ltd. will be speaking in the afternoon session of the event. She said, “I’m really excited that GTR invited me to come onboard for this project. I’m passionate about encouraging women into engineering and showing them that it’s no longer a man’s world. I’ve been lucky to work both in offices and on-site for many of my projects and hope to show people that women not only belong but can excel in both settings. It’s been wonderful to watch the industry grow from a place where I was one of two women on site, to where I’m now surrounded by fantastic female engineers every day.”

Budding female engineers have until 17:00 on Monday 22nd June to register for the event at: https://gtrailwaycareers.com/jobs/events.

Previous knowledge or experience of the industry is not required, instead attendees are asked to bring an open mind and lots of enthusiasm, especially as there will be an opportunity to take part in a Q&A session with GTR’s Talent Team.

In addition to guest speakers, attendees will also gain insight from GTR employees across the two sessions, including:

• Steve Lammin, Engineering Director
• Dionne McKenzie, Head of People
• Wendy Robertson, Head of Fleet Infastructure
• Dante Frederick, Diversity and Inclusion Partner
• Maxine Janali, Talent Acquisition Manager
• Roopali Sharma, Senior Talent Acquisition Advisor
• Imelda Murphy, Talent Acquisition Advisor
• Katie Everett, Service Engineer
• Emma Maries, Service Engineer
• Pamette Cascoe, Assistant Service Engineer
• Martina Dumphy, Materials Controller
• Twinkle Clarke, Apprentice Engineer 

Ends

Editor’s notes 

• International Women in Engineering Day is an international awareness campaign which raises the profile of women in engineering and focuses attention on the amazing career opportunities available to girls in this exciting industry
• Now in its seventh year, the campaign aims to reach as many people as possible
• To participate, women don't need to be engineers, just appreciate the contribution that women engineers make
• INWED HQ in the UK is now based from home, but a variety of virtual activities have been planned to celebrate the day
• For further information, please visit: http://www.inwed.org.uk