An ambitious new plan has been launched to attract more women to Victoria’s booming transport sector.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan and Minister for Roads and Ports Luke Donnellan today launched the Women in Transport program.

The Program will fund scholarships for women to study transport-related degrees, and provide a range of apprenticeships, traineeships and cadetships to attract 150 more women to the sector each year.

It aims to increase the number of women working in the transport sector from 16 per cent to 25 per cent by 2020.

The $1 million Program will also set targets to increase the number of women in senior and leadership roles in the transport industry, to support and mentor young women through their careers.

Major transport contracts already include gender equality procurement guidelines, making sure that equality is a priority for organisations, suppliers and agencies working with the government.

For more information visit transport.vic.gov.au/more-women.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

“Thanks to our huge pipeline of major projects the transport sector is booming, and we want more women to be a part of it.”

“We believe the transport system that moves the Victorian community should also reflect the Victorian community – right now it doesn’t and this program is about changing that.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan

“We need to ensure the benefits of our record investment in transport are shared between both men and women.”

“Through the program, we will attract hundreds of talented women this growing sector to help bus build a better transport system for Victoria.”