By Alex Niemczyk, Director, Women in Bus and Coach
Think about the journeys that bring people together. A school trip that opens up a new experience. A holiday with friends. A journey to a concert, a sporting event or a family celebration. Behind many of these moments is a coach and a team of people making it all happen.
National Coach Week is an opportunity to celebrate that contribution, and to shine a light on the women whose skills, commitment and leadership help keep our sector moving.
Women contribute across every part of the coach industry: driving, engineering, operations, customer service, finance, marketing and business leadership. Their work deserves recognition, and their stories deserve to be heard.
Through my role at Roberts Travel Group and as a director of Women in Bus and Coach, I want more women to see coach as a sector where they can build a rewarding career, develop their skills and have a voice in its future.
That starts with visibility. When we share the experiences of women already working in coach, we help others see the possibilities for themselves. We also broaden understanding of an industry that offers far more variety than people outside it may realise.
But attracting people is only part of the picture. We also need to think carefully about what helps them stay and progress.
Are we reaching beyond our usual recruitment networks? Are development opportunities clear and accessible? Do colleagues feel listened to and supported? Are we willing to challenge assumptions about who belongs in particular roles?
These are practical questions for businesses of every size. Creating a welcoming workplace depends on everyday decisions: how we recruit, how we support new colleagues, how we recognise talent and how we respond when someone raises a concern.
There is also real value in connecting with people beyond our own organisations. Sharing ideas, learning from others and having someone to turn to can make a difference, particularly for women who may be one of only a few in their workplace or role.
Through Women in Bus and Coach, we can strengthen those connections and ensure that women in coach are part of the wider conversation about the workforce of tomorrow.
This National Coach Week, I would encourage operators to put their people in the spotlight. Share a colleague’s career journey, celebrate someone’s contribution or show the range of roles behind a successful coach operation.
And to women already working in the sector: your experience matters. Sharing it could help someone else take their first step.
Coaches make memorable journeys possible. Let’s celebrate the women who help deliver them and create opportunities for many more to join us.
