‘I absolutely love it’: Women Up Front graduates changing the face of public buses in Queensland
Momentum is growing for Kinetic’s Women Up Front trainee bus driver program in Queensland, with women making up a quarter of new driver recruits in the Sunshine state over the past six months.
Kinetic is targeting 50 per cent female bus drivers by 2030 and the Women Up Front program aims to attract more diversity into the industry by providing training, qualifications and support for those seeking a rewarding career.
The Gold Coast’s Leisa St Clair is one recent graduate who jumped at the opportunity to get behind the wheel and is now driving night route services across the Gold Coast.
“If you asked 12 months ago I never would have thought I’d be a bus driver but here I am, and I absolutely love it,” Leisa said.
“No two days are the same and I love playing my part in my community by making sure everyone gets home safe at the end of their day.
“My family have been able to visit me at work and my young kids also think it’s pretty cool to have a mum that is driving a big bus!
“Driving night shifts is something I really enjoy and having a female driver mentor and manager has also made it easy to challenge myself and explore this new career in a supportive environment. I’m really excited to be a part of the team.”
Women Up Front launched on the Gold Coast in 2021 and has now been rolled out across Kinetic operations nationally.
In the past three months, the program has trained new bus drivers in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast. More women will soon be joining them with the program now a core recruitment focus.
Women Up Front offers a three-week induction, access to mentors, licensing courses, and a nationally recognised twelve-month training qualification.
Martin Hall, Kinetic’s Executive General Manager for South-East and North Queensland, said the latest recruits were already on the road greeting students, helping drive charters, and supporting local residents on their daily commutes.
“We are really pleased that a program we piloted here on the Gold Coast is now succeeding across the country in attracting more people into a rewarding career in transport,” he said.
“Of course we have a long way to go but we are committed to ensuring everyone feels safe and supported each day at work, and driving diversity among our team benefits not only our immediate team but also the communities we serve.
"Bus driving hasn’t always been an obvious career choice for women, so it’s important we’re providing those with the right attitude and community focus the appropriate training and support to feel confident behind the wheel.
“This is about creating systemic and sustainable change across our workforce and industry and this is a great first step for anybody who is considering a career change.”
This year alone, more than 200 women have joined Kinetic through the Women Up Front program.
To find out more visit wearekinetic.com.au/women-up-front.
Further enquiries
Steve Cadzow
Manager - Media & Communications (Northern)
0428 127 147
stevec@wearekinetic.com