The SARA team recently supported a Traxtion initiative alongside other industry players to actively promote the rail sector as a career choice for women.
Historically, the rail and transport sector in South Africa has been a male-dominated field. A survey by Stats South Africa underscores this gender disparity, showing that a staggering 83.3% of the transport workforce is male. However, Traxtion, an independent rail operator recently onboarded its first qualified female artisan, firmly believes that women should be at the forefront of rail’s future.
On 24th August, in a combined effort with suppliers and regulatory bodies from the railway sector, Traxtion welcomed Grade 9 students from local schools to its Rail Services Hub. This initiative aimed to provide students with a firsthand experience of the rail and transport industries. The overarching objective is to foster awareness and ignite interest among young women, encouraging them to consider careers in these traditionally male-dominated sectors.
As South Africa is poised for a significant transformation in the rail industry, a plethora of job opportunities is on the horizon. There’s an immediate need in the private sector for diverse skills to bridge the existing knowledge and participation gap. Through initiatives like this, the industry aspires to see many of these new roles occupied by talented and trained women.
