Train networking event inspires next generation of women engineers

To mark Railway 200 and Women in Engineering Day, 12 students from Mulberry School for Girls in Tower Hamlets boarded a train to Dover for a special trip through Kent.

The students from Mulberry School for Girls met with female engineers from Southeastern and Network Rail, Canterbury Christ Church University, and the Purpose Coalition Chair and former Secretary of State for Education, Justine Greening.

En route to Canterbury East, students took part in career talks with the engineers a fast-paced speed-networking session where they discussed career pathways into engineering and the challenges and stereotypes faced by female staff.

South Eastern Railway brings together the train operator Southeastern and infrastructure provider, Network Rail Kent Route, under a single leadership team. This event showcased to students how this joint approach to the railway in the southeast can help provide meaningful career opportunities across both track and train.

On the return leg, students took part in hands-on STEM activities delivered by STEM Hub at Canterbury Christ Church University and its female Engineering academics. They were given the opportunity to build miniature robots and bridges to learn the basics of a range of engineering opportunities.

Professor Mohamed Abdel-Maguid, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement, Internationalisation and STEM and Dean of the Faculty of Science, Engineering, and Social Sciences, at Canterbury Christ Church University, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Southeastern Railway on this special and inspiring event for Women in Engineering Day. It’s a valuable opportunity not only to celebrate the dedication and achievements of female engineers, but to give women a real sense of what they can achieve by seizing the opportunities that STEM and digital technologies offer.

“Real change happens when education and industry come together to create meaningful opportunities, and when strong role models show our rising female talent not just what’s possible but how they themselves can shape their own success. I’m proud of how our engineers and STEM Hub teams are working alongside industry partners to show women that they can step confidently into a STEM-enabled future and become the creative, bold, and ambitious leaders our communities need.

“We hope the momentum from this event continues as a powerful catalyst, encouraging many more women to explore and thrive in STEM careers.”

The event was organised as part of Railway 200- a year-long nationwide campaign to celebrate 200 years of the modern railway and inspire a new generation of young pioneering talent to choose a career in rail. 

To that end, Southeastern and Network Rail, through the South Eastern Railway, are working in lockstep to increasing representation from women across the business and ensure they are supported throughout every stage of their careers.

The results are already apparent, with numbers of female train drivers and conductors up by more than 50% compared to two years ago.

South Eastern Railway’s People and Culture Director, Steve Foster, said: "It was a pleasure to meet the students from Mulberry School for Girls and leaders from Canterbury Christ Church University to help showcase some of the amazing opportunities available across South Eastern Railway and the wider rail industry. The students had valuable exposure to our female leadership team, including speaking directly with six of our female managers such as Nada Abouelhiga, Engineer Fleet Commercial, and Jen McKinney, Infrastructure Maintenance Delivery Manager.

“We are determined to make our industry an attractive place for women to work. That is why we are setting new industry standards in inclusivity and wellbeing alongside specialist coaching and leadership programmes.

“Events like this provide students with direct access to see how other women are developing their careers and making a real difference to lives across our network."

Mulberry School for Girls is a leading Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) school. It has recently achieved an Outstanding Ofsted rating in every category and is renowned for its Mulberry STEM Academy, which saw 107 students graduate in 2023 alone through industry-linked programmes in coding, robotics, car engineering and more.

Shaima Begum, Careers Administrator at Mulberry School for Girls said: "This was an incredible opportunity for our Year 10 students to see firsthand the diverse career paths available in engineering and rail.

“Speaking directly with female leaders like Nada and Jen showed our girls that women are not just present in these industries but thriving in senior technical and management roles. Our students came away inspired and with a much clearer understanding of how their STEM studies can translate into meaningful careers that make a real impact on people's daily lives.

“Events like this are invaluable in breaking down barriers and showing our girls what's truly possible."