Driving change: New cohort of women drivers get behind the wheel in Hamilton

Kinetic’s flagship Women Up Front – Trainee Bus Driver program continues to shift the dial on gender representation in transport, with a new group of trainees completing the program and stepping into driver roles in Hamilton, New Zealand.

Designed to support and empower women into bus driving careers, the Women Up Front initiative is a fully paid, four-week training program that equips participants with the skills and licensing needed to begin their journey - including a Class 2 licence with passenger endorsement.

The program was first introduced in New Zealand in October last year and the latest cohort in Hamilton brings together women from a range of backgrounds, with strong customer service experience proving to be a key strength in their new role.

Donnell Shaw, one of the new drivers, was ready for something new when she spotted the program online.

“I was looking for a new challenge when I saw the Women Up Front advert on Trade Me and thought it might be an exciting career change to make. 

“The training has been insightful, we’ve obviously done a lot of driving, and brushed up on customer service. The trainers themselves are awesome and it’s a very friendly atmosphere to walk into each morning. 

“I’m really looking forward to what the future holds, and I hope to see more women joining the industry because I know they’ve got what it takes. If I can do it, so can you!”

Hamilton Operations Manager Kellie Martin, who began her own career as a driver, says visibility is a powerful tool for change.

“The transport sector is heavily dominated by men which may be one of the reasons women are less likely to consider a career as a bus driver. As we begin to see more female bus drivers on our roads, the likelihood other women will consider the career for themselves continues to grow.

“It can be a bit daunting getting behind the wheel for the first time, but you can see the trainees’ confidence build as they progress through the program, and it only continues to grow as they transition from trainee to fully qualified bus driver.”

Women Up Front is one of the ways Kinetic is building a more diverse, resilient and inclusive workforce across Australia and New Zealand — and with each new cohort, the program is driving Kinetic closer to its goal of gender balance by 2030.

Find out more about our Women Up Front - Trainee Bus Driver program.