TOCs urged to do more to tackle diversity

Train operating companies must increase their efforts to boost the level of gender diversity in the workforce.

This was the message at the National Rail Convention from NR Chief Executive Mark Carne and TfL Commissioner Mike Brown, in response to the startling statistic that only 5% of UK train drivers are female.

“We have lots of research that more gender-balanced teams are more productive, and so we have firm plans to increase the number of women working for NR to 20% of the workforce by 2020,” said Carne (pictured).

“My message to TOCs who have only 5% of drivers that are female is that it is simply unacceptable in the modern world.”

Brown added: “This is one area where we are working with trade unions to move forward, because roster arrangements and shift patterning often conspire against creating that kind of diversity and flexibility of reduced hours-working that is needed to be responsive to those with caring requirements, and women returning to the workforce.

“We don’t shovel coal into boilers anymore, but I think unfortunately some of our practices and processes are stuck in that historical generation. I think there’s certainly a lot more that London Underground and TfL can do in particular, as one of the largest train operators in the South East.”