Female representatives from the railway industry were recently hosted by Ayrshire College to highlight career paths open to women within the field. 

Sara Turkington, equality, diversity, and inclusion manager at ScotRail, along with Heather Waugh, a former train driver with ScotRail and currently the only female freight train driver in Scotland, met with Early Years Level 6 students and lecturers to share their experiences as part of International Women’s Day.

They spoke about the opportunities available to women and girls within the traditionally male-dominated field and addressed misconceptions about careers that can start at an early age.  

ScotRail donated a supply of the Butterfly Books' My Mummy is a Train Driver to be used as a resource in preparing Early Years Practitioners to inspire young people.

Charlotte Mitchell, equality and diversity performance lead at Ayrshire College, said: “Those working in Early Years can have a real and positive impact on the career choices young people make by ensuring their language is inclusive and the young people they work with have access to positive examples — inspiring role models and seeing themselves represented in the resources and learning materials available to them.”  

Jennifer Campbell, a student, said: “It was inspirational as she (Heather Waugh) was the only woman [freight train driver] and it highlights that woman can do anything."  

Lorna Dunlop, an Early Years lecturer, said: “In 2024, there are still misconceptions that men and woman have ‘set’ jobs.

“After listening to our guests — and understanding that gender is not a barrier in pursuing any profession — it has reminded our early years students that there is a pathway open to everyone to follow their dreams.”