The Association of Local Bus Managers (ALBUM) has taken out an Advocate package with Women in Transport. The partnership was announced at ALBUM’s recent conference in Edinburgh. It forms part of its work with Women in Transport and support of the group’s mission to assist with the professional development of women in the transport sector.
The collaboration comes against an ongoing backdrop of women’s under-representation in the bus industry, as Women in Transport Chief Executive Sonya Byers (pictured, left, with ALBUM Chair Bill Hiron) told conference delegates. Because of that, operators “are missing out on talent and don’t represent the customers they serve,” she continues.
Reversing those negatives is not the only benefit of a more diverse workforce. Greater diversity has been shown to bring better performance in multiple areas, including financial. “There is a position for everyone in transport, but we do not do a good job of selling that. A responsibility of the sector is showcasing its stories.”
ALBUM’s work with Women in Transport has opened the door to multiple benefits for ALBUM members, not least free and discounted memberships of Women in Transport. Such participation enables attendance at over 40 events per year and in a virtual meeting programme, along with access to the All Party Parliamentary Group for Women in Transport among other opportunities.
Such networking is important, but it is not just to discuss initiatives that have worked well. Where an operator has tried something that did not deliver, it should be highlighted, too.
Ms Byers also participated in a panel session on the people aspect of running buses. That was led by Scottish Financial Enterprise Chief Executive Sandy Begbie CBE with a focus on attracting and retaining staff. He underlines Ms Byers’s point that a diverse workforce is necessary if a business’s customer base is to be represented.
Further explored by Mr Begbie was career progression. Someone could join as a driver but aspire to ultimately become Operations Director. “Find those people,” he urges.
Women in Transport website.
