Women in Transport, a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting diversity and equity in the transport sector, is launching a groundbreaking initiative to promote gender diversity and equity in the transport industry. This project will be an innovative cross-sectoral index from data collected across the transport community. The survey will begin in June and run for two months, with its headline report scheduled for release during London International Shipping Week in September 2023. The full report will be launched at WiT’s Winter Reception.

Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Women in Transport, Ruth Cadbury MP, highlights, “This is a significant point in the quest for a more diverse and equitable transport workforce.  The APPG for Women in Transport are proud to support Women in Transport’s Equity Index Initiative.  By fostering inclusivity and highlighting best practice, we hope to inspire other sectors to follow our lead, creating a ripple effect of positive change across industries.”

According to Sonya Byers, CEO of Women in Transport, the index is essential to achieving gender equity in the industry: “The Women in Transport Equity Index is a unique initiative that will provide valuable data to help drive progress towards greater diversity and equity in the transport sector. By benchmarking companies against their peers and providing access to resources, we hope to create a more inclusive and equitable industry that better reflects the UK population.”

Sue Terpilowski OBE, the lead person for the index, emphasised this viewpoint: “The transport sector has a long way to go when it comes to gender diversity and equity and the Women in Transport Equity Index will play an important role in driving progress. By identifying best practices and providing resources to companies, we can create a more level playing field that benefits everyone.”

Gemma  Lloyd, CEO of Work180, added, “We’re thrilled to partner with Women in Transport on this groundbreaking initiative to promote gender diversity and equity in the transport industry. At Work180, we’re dedicated to advocating for workplace gender equality, and this partnership aligns perfectly with our mission. By benchmarking across transport sectors, we will gain a far more profound understanding of where we are and can work together to create positive change. We hope that other sectors will take note of this important work and follow our lead in creating equitable and inclusive workplaces for all. “

The survey partner for the Women in Transport Equity Index is Work180, a leading organisation that advocates for workplace gender equality. The survey will consist of 10 mandatory and ten optional questions, including intersectional ones, to provide comprehensive data without being too time-consuming. Those who complete the full questionnaire will receive a free overall score and a 25-page report with benchmarking data. Top-performing companies will receive recognition and a badge to display for marketing purposes.

Transport is a great industry with a collective turnover of £214 billion in 2020 and over 1.5 million people employed in the sector. However, significant challenges exist in attracting, recruiting, and retaining diverse talent representing the UK population. The industry is heavily male-skewed, with only 21% females, and it is unclear how many are in transport-related positions. This is why the Women in Transport Equity Index is an important initiative to create a more equitable and inclusive transport sector. By providing valuable data and resources, Women in Transport hopes to drive progress towards greater gender diversity in the industry. Companies are encouraged to participate in the survey to benchmark themselves against their peers and identify areas for improvement.

The sector has well-received the index and has already received sponsorship from Kier Highways, The Merchant Navy Training Board, The Bicycle Association, MobilityLab and others soon to join them. With over 1.5 million people employed in the transport sector and significant challenges in attracting, recruiting, and retaining diverse talent, the Women in Transport Equity Index is a vital initiative to create a more equitable and inclusive transport industry. Companies are encouraged to participate in the survey and identify areas for improvement.