Northern says the proportion of women applying for jobs with the train operator has nearly doubled since it launched a recruitment campaign focused on women in rail.
Women accounted for around 33% of Northern’s job applicants after the campaign began in November last year, compared with approximately 17% beforehand.
Campaign recognised by industry awards
The ‘We’re Not Northern Without Her’ campaign promotes the experiences of women working for the operator and aims to challenge perceptions of careers in rail.
Northern said the campaign was named Best Diversity and Inclusion Strategy at the Employer Brand Management Awards, where judges praised its “tangible success” and its focus on the real experiences of women in the industry.
It also won Best Resourcing Initiative at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development People Management Awards.
Gina Edge, Northern’s employer brand manager, said: “The campaign was built around a really simple ambition: to challenge perceptions of what a career in rail looks like and encourage more women to see that there is a place for them at Northern.
“What makes this recognition particularly special is the impact we’ve seen since the campaign launched.
“Winning this award is fantastic recognition for everyone who helped bring the campaign to life, but the work doesn’t stop here.
“We want to build on that momentum and continue breaking down barriers, challenging perceptions and creating an industry where more women can see themselves building a long-term career.”
Training scheme also wins award
Northern’s traincrew training programme was named Best Apprenticeship Scheme at the CIPD awards ceremony in London.
The programme trains drivers and conductors at academies in Leeds and Manchester, combining classroom-based learning with practical experience. Judges highlighted its approach to training complete novices, including people without formal qualifications or previous knowledge of the rail sector.