Drive to recruit women for careers in traffic management
Traffic management company, Highway Traffic Management (HTM), are launching a campaign to recruit 40 women to help implement temporary traffic systems throughout the West Midlands.
The scheme, which is being launched to increase diversity in the industry, will require applicants to work in all highway environments and learn skills such as good communication with the general public and helping motorists to navigate temporary road networks safely.
As well as physical work in various locations, they will have to carry out problem solving and install road closures with cones, signage and innovative equipment on the region 's major routes and for high profile public events.
The company, whose contracts in the region include working for Kier Highways on behalf of Birmingham City Council and providing signage for the successful Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, has devised the new recruitment scheme with the help of the region 's leading human resources specialists, Clover HR.
Target 40, as the campaign has been codenamed, is being specifically aimed at women with contract terms, such as working hours, open to negotiation to help those wanting to join the industry. It is being promoted through women 's groups in a bid to plug a gap in a traditionally male dominated labour sector.
HTM has also set up a dedicated website page which will give aspiring applicants all the information they need to get involved in the scheme.
Applicants do not need to have any prior experience and they will get the chance to take the Temporary Traffic Management Basic Course (TTMBC), the industry 's professional qualification which is recognised by Highways England, followed by on-the-job training to develop their practical knowledge and experience.
Greg Baldwin, managing director of HTM, said: “We are a privately owned, two-generation business committed to being Streets Ahead in everything we do, with diversity being a high priority. We are looking for proactive and motivated individuals to join our growing team.
“We live and breathe our values - Safety, Innovation, Delivery, Collaboration, Social Value and Mental Health - and we 're looking for people who place the same importance on these values as we do. We offer competitive rates of pay with career progression opportunities along with fully paid training.
“Our eventual aim is that 40 per cent of our workforce will be women, in a bid to be truly diverse. We are seeking the advice of the women, who are already part of our team, to gain insight into what life is like as a female in the industry and to discover what more we could be doing to encourage further recruits. ”
The company has a wealth of long serving staff among its 180-strong direct employees and 90 per cent of the company 's management are people who started in the industry as trainees and have worked their way up to management and director positions.
Michael Doolin, managing director of Clover HR, said: “HTM have a commitment to career and development planning. Their aim now is to encourage women into road traffic management to put something back into society and act as true social partners. ”
Pictured: A current female employee of HTM setting out on a traffic management project