Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams recently announced a $550,000 investment by the Victorian Government to train and license over 300 aspiring female bus drivers in the next three years.
An additional facet of the program offers 20 women each year, for three years, the opportunity to undertake bus mechanic apprenticeships, each receiving a $7500 scholarship.
This initiative is not just about increasing numbers but about providing women with the skills, capabilities, and confidence to succeed in a field traditionally dominated by men.
“We are changing the culture in the transport industry and improving access to a better career progression for bus drivers and apprentices,” Ms Williams said.
Delivered in partnership with three of the state’s largest bus operators – Kinetic, CDC, and Ventura – the Bus Driver Training Program promises to shift gears on gender representation.
Meanwhile, the Tradeswoman Australia Foundation will spearhead the mechanical apprenticeships, reinforcing the commitment to diversifying the workforce.
This effort is a continuation of the progress made since the establishment of the Women in Transport Committee in 2017 when women only made up 16 per cent of the sector.
The percentage has since almost doubled and is now at 31 per cent.
Additionally, the initiative aligns with a major expansion of Victoria’s public transport services and a shift towards a more sustainable future, including introducing 600 new zero-emission battery electric buses by 2035.
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