Inspire the Next Generation
At Women in Transport, one of our focus areas is inspiring the next generation to join the transport sector.
This includes changing perceptions about what it is like to work in transport and the range of exciting careers on offer, as well as profiling in-sector women as role models and agents for change.
Below you can find more information about our work in this focus area, including our latest progress report.
You can also contribute to our collection of trailblazing initiatives from across the transport sector.
Our latest progress report: Let’s Make the Connection
The case for action is stark.
The transport sector employs 2,517,000 people in the UK (ONS), yet it faces a projected shortfall of between 409,000 and 618,000 workers by 2030 (ONS analysis, as cited in parliamentary evidence to the House of Commons).
Transport is not a career that young people actively choose; it is one they fall into.
The talent pipeline is not there, and the clock is running.
Our Project Progress Report sets out what Women in Transport has done since the initiative launched in 2025 as part of our 20th anniversary:
The coalition built
The campaign developed
The intelligence gathered
The conclusions reached
The report is free to download.
You can also review and/or contribute to our collection of UK transport initiatives connecting young people to jobs below.
Connecting young people to jobs: Key UK transport initiatives
As part of our Inspire the Next Generation programme, we’re building a collection of established UK initiatives that actively connect young people to jobs and careers in the transport sector. These initiatives span school engagement, early careers, apprenticeships, digital skills and industry‑led programmes.
Is your organisation making pioneering moves in this area? Use the form below the list to send us details. Once approved, we will add your initiative(s) to the collection.
-
A tried and tested outreach resource created by WISE to inspire girls to consider a career in STEM.
The site allows users to find out about their career personality types and matches them with role models who have rewarding and successful careers in STEM.
-
Alongside activity packs and an EDI hub, the CIHT’s network of Outreach Ambassadors bridges the gap between education and industry (highways and transportation).
Ambassadors volunteer their time to inspire and engage young people to learn more about and achieve their potential in STEAM subjects.
-
A government‑backed campaign promoting careers in freight, logistics and supply chains, aimed at young people and career‑changers.
-
The official government portal listing transport and logistics apprenticeships, covering rail, road, aviation, maritime and supply chains.
-
A national programme introducing young people to data and digital careers in transport, offering work experience, industry placements and careers education, supported by the Department for Transport.
-
This LTM initiative transforms early interest in transport into career pathways through STEM learning, school programmes, family activities and direct links to industry employers.
-
Paid apprenticeships for young people across engineering, operations, digital, business and customer service, with strong progression routes.
-
Ahead Partnership works with transport operators to engage young people (especially those from under‑represented backgrounds) through school engagement, employability skills, youth voice forums and signposting to jobs and apprenticeships.
-
Graduate, apprenticeship and student opportunities across the DfT and its agencies, offering routes into policy, engineering, digital and operational roles.
-
One of the UK’s largest public transport apprenticeship providers, offering careers in bus, rail, engineering and customer service.
-
An accessible overview for young people of transport apprenticeship routes, levels, employers and entry requirements across the UK.
Submit your organisation’s work to inspire the next generation
Use the contact form below to submit your (or any other) organisation’s efforts to bring more young people – and young women especially – into the UK transport sector.