In honour of International Women’s Day 2025, the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE) and Women in Bus and Coach have joined forces to tackle the underrepresentation of women in engineering. This landmark partnership will focus on increasing female representation at the IRTE Bus and Coach Skills Challenge 2025.
Breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry
The coach and bus industry has long been male-dominated, reflecting wider trends in the engineering sector. Despite progress, women still face barriers to entry, including outdated perceptions of engineering roles, lack of visible role models, and limited access to industry opportunities.
By working together, SOE and Women in Bus and Coach are committed to creating a more inclusive and representative workforce that better reflects the communities it serves.
Elevating the IRTE Skills Challenge 2025
A key focus of this partnership is to increase the visibility of the IRTE Bus & Coach Skills Challenge, which is now in its 13th year. The competition provides a national platform for PSV apprentices, technicians, and engineers to demonstrate their skills, problem-solving abilities, and technical knowledge.
By leveraging their networks and industry influence, SOE and Women in Bus and Coach aim to attract more female engineers to take part in the event, ensuring they have the same opportunities to excel in their careers as their male counterparts.
“International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global celebration of women’s achievements and a call to action for gender equality. For me, this day holds particular significance within the engineering community. It serves as a reminder of the progress made and the challenges that remain for women in engineering – a field where gender disparities have historically been pronounced. IWD is an opportunity to reflect on such inspiring stories, assess personal and professional growth, and recommit to fostering an inclusive environment.”
-Emma Thompson MSOE, Executive Director, Society of Operations Engineers
Why more women should enter the IRTE Skills Challenge
Participation in the IRTE Skills Challenge offers a unique opportunity for women in engineering to:
- Showcase their skills in a competitive yet supportive environment
- Gain national recognition within the coach and bus sector
- Network with industry leaders and potential employers
- Develop their careers through hands-on experience with the latest technologies
- Inspire future generations of female engineers to pursue careers in transport engineering.
Past winner Hollie Smith of Arriva shares her experience participating in Skills Challenge:
“Over my course, I have seen more women coming into this industry and the company, and I think, all right, we are branching out, this is good. I want more girls to compete, because [female winners] are inspiring not just to women, but to everyone.”
“Asked for her advice to other potential female entrants, she says: “Just do it. I know it’s scary. This is still quite a male-dominated industry, but when I first started my apprenticeship three years ago, I didn’t see women anywhere.”
Addressing the Skills Gap through diversity
The coach and bus industry is currently facing workforce shortages, with a growing demand for skilled engineers. Encouraging more women to enter the sector not only helps to bridge the skills gap but also brings fresh perspectives, innovation, and a wider talent pool to the industry.
By investing in mentorship, professional development, and awareness initiatives, this collaboration aims to create lasting change and ensure that women have a strong presence in engineering and transport operations.
“Engaging with initiatives like SOE’s mentoring platform can empower the next generation of female engineers, ensuring that the path forward is more equitable and supportive. Celebrating IWD within the SOE framework reinforces the commitment to diversity, innovation, and excellence in engineering.” adds Emma.
A vision for the future
The partnership between SOE and Women in Bus and Coach marks an important step towards a more diverse and inclusive transport industry. Through IRTE Skills Challenge 2025, they hope to inspire, support, and empower more women to pursue rewarding careers in coach and bus engineering.
“Women are making incredible strides in the bus, coach and community transport industry, but engineering remains an area where female representation is still far too low. By partnering with SOE for the IRTE Skills Challenge, we are breaking down barriers and showcasing the wealth of talent women bring to engineering roles. Visibility is key—when women see others thriving in this space, it sends a powerful message that they belong here too. Together, we’re driving real change and shaping a more inclusive future for the industry.”
-Laura Hadzik, Director of Women in Bus and Coach.
Are you ready to be part of this change?
Register for the IRTE Bus and Coach Skills Challenge 2025 today and take your place in shaping the future of the industry.
