Almost a quarter of colleagues employed by TransPennine Express (TPE) in its fleet and engineering team are women, which means it is ‘ahead of the curve’, but wants to encourage more women to join the industry.

Until recent times, the rail industry has been historically dominated by men. The current UK average of women in the rail industry is 16.5 per cent, but TransPennine Express has a third more that the average with 22 per cent of the fleet and engineering team being women.

In 2014, a national campaign from the Women’s Engineering Society established an International Women in Engineering Day in the UK.

Next Sunday, 23 June, marks this year’s International Women in Engineering Day, and Bushra Khan, Head of Engineering at TransPennine Express commented on the numbers.

While we are well ahead of the curve, we want to continue to empower and inspire more women to join us in the rail industry.

It’s really important that women get into these roles so there is more representation which reflects the communities we serve.

Bushra Khan, Head of Engineering at TransPennine Express

Caitlin Gent originally wanted to be a weapons engineer in the Royal Navy. After studying for her A-Levels, she decided to change her career track and became an apprentice with TransPennine Express, where she is an assistant commercial engineer. She now wants to encourage other women to do the same.

Even though I’m in a traditionally male dominated environment, I have always felt supported. “It is important to raise awareness of the different roles in engineering for women. It could be anything from working in a diesel depot, to being in an office dealing with data.

Caitlin Gent, assistant commercial engineer at TransPennine Express

Leeanne Matuszczyk spent much of her working life in the RAF as an avionics technician. When some former colleagues told her how much they were enjoying their new roles in the railway industry, she decided to do the same and joined TransPennine Express.

It’s a very diverse job and there is something for everyone, no matter your personality, no matter your skills, there is something for you in the rail industry.

There’s always someone around to support you and to help you succeed.

Leeanne Matuszczyk, fleet maintenance planner at TransPennine Express

TransPennine Express employed its first female driver in 2022 and last year appointed a woman as its Operational Development Manager. The latest job vacancies are listed on its website at https://www.tpexpresscareers.co.uk/tpe/home.