V/Line kicks off first all-female driver trainee driving program -

Public transport service V/Line will see their first all-female group of trainee drivers begin their driving training program.

The group is composed of eight female trainees recruited from non-rail backgrounds. For instance, one was a previous aviation worker, another an apprenticeship network provider, one was a stay at home mum and another an Indian Army Major. This diverse group will bring a range of experiences to the program.

“Our trainee group has formed a really strong bond, we all come from different backgrounds but that helps us use our different strengths to work through the program together,” said trainee V/Line Driver Lauren Clemas.

Classroom training began in February with the group progressing to driving training yesterday. With the program taking over 70 weeks to complete, the group will undergo modules from classroom training to driving simulators and practical experience work on the network.

“We’re building a train service to benefit all Victorians and I am proud to see more women taking on driving roles and finding new passions in transport,” said Harriet Shing, Member for Eastern Victoria.

Each candidate was selected through a series of interviews and aptitude testing.

“Driving a train takes a lot of skill and the right mindset so it’s important that we recruit the best of the best to ensure we continue to deliver safe regional transport services,” said Ben Carroll, Minister for Public Transport.

The all-female trainee group will enter the network as fully qualified drivers in 2022 mid-year.

With V/Line currently consisting of more than 500 drivers, there are other trainee driver groups also underway in the training program, including trainees from other rail backgrounds and roles across V/Line.