The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) is supporting International Women’s Day today (8 March 2016) and encouraging more women to consider careers in highways and transportation.

In recognition of International Women's Day, CIHT has organised a number of regional activities.

Today in London, CIHT is hosting a special event, ‘Public Speaking, Presenting with Impact', led by engineer Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE, boardroom voice coach Victoria Pritchard and science communication experts Screenhouse.

The event aims to inspire and empower women by showing attendees how to transfer their own passion and knowledge to others and promote their work.

Last week CIHT Northern Ireland hosted a unique event in Belfast to highlight the contributions that women make to the highways and transportation sector. The event included an address from the Minister for Regional Development, Michelle McIlveen and CIHT Northern Ireland Chair, Louise Dougan.

The guest speakers provided a candid and open view of their experiences, lessons they have identified and what advice they would give to women entering the transportation industry.

CIHT West Midlands and Women in Transport are working in collaboration to deliver a series of regional seminars. So far they have held events in December and February with guest speakers such as Adeline Ginn, Founder of Women in Rail, Melanie Clarke, Executive Director of Operations at Highways England, and Alison Munroe, Managing Director – Development HS2.
 
Dr Susan Sharland, CIHT President said:
 
“It is important that we celebrate and highlight the role played by women in the highways and transportation sector. CIHT is taking the lead in encouraging women into highways and transportation and this includes us working with government agencies and the sector to showcase success and opportunity.
 
“The business case for diversity and inclusion has been highlighted a number of times in the media recently, however implementing the changes necessary to take advantage of these business benefits does not appear to be a priority for some employers. Often, this is simply a case of not being sure where to start and this is where the CIHT Routes to Diversity & Inclusion toolkit can help.”

Case Studies – Women in Transportation
The Institution has collected some case studies of female CIHT members working within the engineering and transportation industries at different stages in their careers. You can read about why they first became interested in their field and how they have developed their careers.

 

Employers’ toolkit – Route to Diversity & Inclusion
In response to the diversity and inclusion agenda, in October 2015, CIHT launched Routes to Diversity & Inclusion, the first toolkit of its kind for the highways and transportation sector. It provides a route map to success through diversity and inclusion.

The toolkit offers practical guidance, case studies and links to reliable sources of expert advice for employers to help recruit, retain and develop a more diverse workforce. By doing so, employers will improve their own business performance and increase capacity within the industry.