Women in Rail report recognised for excellence in diversity and inclusion
GHD’s Women in Rail report has been announced as a finalist for the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Award. The report is among 10 initiatives recognised for their efforts in promoting a more diverse and inclusive rail industry.
Released in late 2023, GHD’s Women in Rail report not only celebrates the significant contributions of women in the rail sector but also seeks to understand why women make up just 24 per cent of the rail industry workforce in Australia.
With approximately 70,000 workers needed to deliver the $155 billion pipeline of Australian rail infrastructure projects over the next 15 years, it is essential to address gender disparity in the industry. The report aims to uncover the reasons behind women’s underrepresentation in rail and the misconceptions that deter them from entering the field. To this end, GHD undertook three primary research projects: surveys of current rail industry professionals, insights from GHD’s own transport team, and perceptions from high-school students, primarily young women.
The findings reveal that while Australian rail businesses and associations are actively implementing initiatives to attract more women to the industry, efforts are also needed to retain them and to educate school children about the rail industry and other STEM disciplines, addressing prevalent misconceptions.
The recognition from ARA is a testament to GHD’s commitment to fostering an environment of belonging and trust where everyone can be their authentic selves, engage, be heard, and feel valued in a community that enables them to reach their potential and thrive.
We are delighted to be selected as a finalist for our Women in Rail Report. This recognition showcases our commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the rail industry and in our broader business. It also reflects the hard work and achievements of our whole team and reinforces the significance of our ongoing efforts to create positive change and advance the industry.”
Women in Rail report
Women make up 24 per cent of the rail workforce in Australia. Curious to understand more, we undertook a research project that resulted in a comprehensive report that identifies the need for a perception shift to help attract more women into the rail industry.
As we shift perceptions and accelerate opportunities for women in rail, we are confident that the rail sector of the future will be one that is as diverse as the communities we serve, inclusive of all people, and sustainable for generations to come.
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About GHD
GHD is a leading professional services company operating in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation. Committed to a vision to make water, energy, and communities sustainable for generations to come, GHD delivers advisory, digital, engineering, architecture, environmental and construction solutions to public and private sector clients. Established in 1928 and privately owned by its people, GHD’s network of 12,000+ professionals is connected across 160 offices located on five continents.