Lumo has revealed that more women than men have completed its apprenticeship training in the last three years.
Around 95% of the operator's workforce joins through the apprentice programme, which it runs in partnership with Train'd Up.
Twenty-seven men have completed the training in the last three years, compared with twenty-nine women.
On International Women's Day, Lumo boasted of its focus on inclusivity and ensuring that it provides its workforce with equal opportunities and training, so that everyone who wants to explore a career in the railway industry can do so.
The Newcastle-based operator, which is considering extending its London-to-Edinburgh services to Glasgow, has published testimonies from new women employees about their experiences.
Carrie Million is a 46-year-old, newly-qualified customer driver with Lumo, and is proud of the rise in interest from women in a sector that has traditionally been dominated by men.
Carrie, from Newcastle, said: “It is not uncommon to be the only female in a training room in the rail industry. As a customer driver, I have been in that position and it is easy to feel like a bit of an outsider. It's great to see that even in a short space of time there's a lot more women getting involved in the industry through Lumo.
“When I talk to my female colleagues, like Sam, who is still working through her apprenticeship, we've noticed a real difference in attitudes when it comes to women in rail. There is a greater level of understanding – Lumo really wants women to join its apprenticeship scheme.”
Samantha Bently is a trainee customer driver from Northumberland, and has welcomed the change in attitudes towards women railway apprentices.
She said: “I feel there's been a shift in attitudes from when Carrie was in training, which is promising to hear as this was only two years ago. I've noticed that with more women coming into this space, we are seen as less of an oddity and people are really excited to see us there.
“I'm 43 and I find women my age are really supportive and excited to hear about my journey in becoming a train driver. My friends and family are very proud of me and I'm grateful that I can support my four kids in a job that teaches me new things every day.
“I've had a lot of positive reactions when I tell people what I do for a career. My daughter, Summer, likes to tell her friends what I do to see the amazed looks on their faces. It makes me happy to see her so proud of her mum. She's studying for her A-Levels just now but has told me she wants to become a train driver herself!”
Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director of Lumo, said: “The rise in women taking part in and completing our apprenticeship training is so refreshing to see. A shift in attitudes is something that is apparent across the industry, particularly in the last decade. We no longer live in a society that looks at train drivers and other railway roles as ‘men's jobs'.
“At Lumo, we are dedicated to providing equal opportunities for anyone with a passion fora career in rail, and continue to ensure we work with the relevant partners to keep our training schemes updated and relevant to all. I'm hugely excited by our most recent stats, and to see what the future generations bring to the railway industry.”
Progress! 🙂