Attracting the Next Generation: Women and Apprenticeships In celebration of International Women’s Day 2018

Colleagues from DB Cargo UK took centre stage at a recent event to mark International Women’s Day.

Around 70 delegates gathered at Doncaster’s National College for High Speed Rail to listen to a range of speakers who shared their own experience and views of the rail industry.

Among them were DB Cargo’s Head of Planning Kate Turner, Apprenticeship and Development Manager Kerrie Talbot and HR Business Partner (Organisational Development and Projects) Josie Pugsley.

The event was organised by DB Cargo UK in conjunction with the college and Women In Rail, a networking organisation that exists to promote the rail sector as an attractive career path for young people.

Our Professional Development and Change Manager Dr Amy Pressland, who organised the event, said:

“We heard from enthusiastic current apprentices and ones who are already making their imprint on the industry. We celebrated successful careers of senior female leaders but also heard worrying stories of poor facilities at depots and sometimes inappropriate behaviour. The central message of the event was succinctly put by a male engineering apprentice ‘We need more women in rail!’ and there are so many options for women to work in rail.

“I left the event feeling a deep sense of satisfaction from seeing it all come together – people being pushed out of their comfort zones, inspirational stories and the new connections that delegates made on the day. My role leading the Yorkshire branch of Women in Rail is voluntary and quite time consuming on top of everyday business but the event was absolutely worth the effort,” added Amy.

Kathryn Oldale, our Head of Strategy and Innovation, said: “Amy facilitated a fantastic event that was a real showcase for our present and future female talent within the rail industry. It is important that we recognise our role in and keep our commitment to inspiring and leading the next generation of rail freight, both as an industry and as leaders within it. We are proud of our people and I look forward to DB hosting more events like this in the future.”

Application Management and Support Analyst Rocío Losada Luis, who attended the event said: “It was good that it was an informal and relaxed atmosphere. I found the speeches really good. The speakers were really enthusiastic and directed their presentations towards young people, with good use of pictures and anecdotes.

“It was great to hear the success stories of other women in rail, I really identified with them. I think we should definitely do more events like this.”

Thank you to everyone who attended!