Women in transport mentoring program

The Victorian Government’s Women in Transport Mentoring Program is a six-month, industry-wide initiative offering professional development and networking opportunities. It is your opportunity to be part of the future of women in transport.

Round 1 of 2021 will run from 1 February to 31 July 2021 and participants are supported with three professional development sessions, ongoing assistance and monthly guidance to structure mentee-mentor meetings.

Round 1 applications for our 2021 program are open from 5 November to 15 December 2020. The program is open to anyone with at least one year of experience in the transport industry, whether in the public or private sector. Mentees must be female, mentors can be male or female with at least five years of experience in their field.

For information and to apply, please read our guide and access the link to the Mentorloop application form.

This mentoring program is delivered by the Level Crossing Removal Project as part of the Department of Transport’s $2 million Women in Transport package of initiatives and business improvements. It aims to encourage more women to enter and stay in the transport sector, which supports the Victorian Government’s Gender Equality Strategy.

Do you know someone who’d make a great mentor?

Now’s the time to give them the nudge they need to make it happen!

LXRP delivers the Women in Transport (WiT) Mentoring Program on behalf of Victoria’s Department of Transport, and are hoping you or others in your workplace would like to be a mentor in Round 2 of 2020 (running from July – December). We have re-opened applications for mentors as we’ve had have an unprecedented demand with so many mentee applications.

Information about the program and how to apply is in the guidelines. They also provide detail on what the program includes, such as professional development sessions, monthly guidances and mentee-mentor meetings. During COVID-19 restrictions, online alternatives are offered for all meetings or events that would normally be in-person.

All of our past mentors enjoyed the experience, and those mentoring for the first time found it especially valuable and empowering. Mentors do not need to be senior managers or experts. This program could be an opportunity to realise just how much you can contribute to industry.

Mentors can be male or female, and must have:

• at least 5 + years of experience in their field; and
• at least 1 year of experience in the transport industry

Mentors should:

• be open and honest in sharing their knowledge, expertise and experiences
• offer honest feedback in a constructive manner
• be able to listen and provide guidance to mentees, allowing them to make their own decisions

Mentors should be committed to:

• the development of their mentee
• demonstrating leadership by championing cross organisational integration and collaboration
• understanding the opportunities and barriers that women face at different levels in the transport industry
• developing their individual skills by contributing to the development of another
• self-reflection, where sharing experiences allows mentors to learn new insights about themselves.

We are excited to welcome new mentors to join this program. It’s a terrific opportunity to contribute to the future of the industry as a workplace for women, who remain significantly underrepresented.

Women in Transport mentor information session

Want to know more about being a mentor?

View the recording of our live-streamed information session where you can learn all about the Women in Transport Mentoring Program and how you can contribute to the future of women in transport as a mentor.