Driving change for women in bus and coach recruitment

by | Sep 25, 2025

The bus and coach industry has long been viewed as a male-dominated sector, but that perception is rapidly changing. Across the UK, women in bus and coach roles are thriving, from drivers and engineers to managers and operations leaders. This shift is shaping the future of transport and inspiring the next generation of talent.

At Kemp Recruitment, we are proud to support both businesses and candidates in creating diverse, inclusive teams that reflect the communities they serve. Increasing female representation isn’t just about equality, it’s about driving innovation, improving safety, and enhancing service delivery.

 

Women making their mark

Across the sector, women are proving that they can thrive in roles that were traditionally dominated by men. The number of female bus and coach drivers continues to increase, while women in engineering and workshop roles are mastering vehicle maintenance, diagnostics, and repair. In leadership positions, women are influencing strategy, safety standards, and employee engagement. Their presence demonstrates that talent, skill, and dedication are not gender-specific and encourages more women to consider careers in transport.

“It’s inspiring to see more women joining the bus and coach sector, not just as drivers but across engineering, management, and operations,” says Bethany Hills, Senior Business Manager at Kemp Recruitment. “At Kemp, we’re committed to supporting our clients in building diverse teams and helping female candidates access the training and roles that can truly shape their careers.”

 

Breaking down barriers

While progress is being made, challenges remain. Some women still face perceptions that certain roles aren’t suited to them or encounter logistical issues such as lack of gender-specific facilities in depots and workshops. Businesses that invest in inclusive training, mentorship programs, and supportive work environments are seeing positive results. Female employees report higher job satisfaction, and organisations benefit from improved retention, a broader talent pool, and stronger reputations within their communities.

 

Inclusive training and mentorship programs

Several initiatives are leading the way in fostering inclusivity within the bus and coach sector:

  • Women in Bus and Coach (WiBC): This initiative aims to create a national network to encourage, represent, support, and retain women in the bus, coach, and community transport profession. WiBC offers mentorship opportunities, including a unique Board of Directors mentoring role, providing emerging female talent with hands-on experience and leadership development.
  • Women in Transport – Advance Programme: This mentoring programme is structured to address the needs of professional women in transport seeking to develop and progress their careers. It offers tailored support to help women navigate their career paths and overcome industry-specific challenges.
  • Women in Bus and Coach – Board of Directors Mentoring Opportunity: WiBC has launched a competition for a mentee to join its Board of Directors for a one-year term. This initiative aims to empower future female leaders by providing them with mentorship and exposure to strategic decision-making processes within the industry.

These programs are instrumental in breaking down barriers and providing women with the tools and support they need to succeed in the bus and coach sector.

 

How Kemp Recruitment supports diversity

At Kemp Recruitment, we work closely with bus and coach operators across the UK to:

  • Recruit female drivers, engineers, and workshop staff, matching candidates to roles where their skills and aspirations can thrive
  • Provide guidance on creating inclusive workplaces, ensuring facilities, schedules, and support systems encourage diversity
  • Highlight career progression opportunities for women, from apprenticeships to leadership roles

We understand the unique challenges of the transport sector and are committed to supporting our clients in building balanced, capable, and resilient teams.

 

The road ahead

The future of the bus and coach industry is bright, and women will play a vital role in shaping it. By breaking barriers and embracing diversity, operators can attract the best talent, improve service quality, and foster innovation. For women considering a career in bus and coach operations, now is an exciting time to join the sector. Whether you are interested in driving, engineering, or management, opportunities are expanding, and support systems are stronger than ever. At Kemp Recruitment, we are proud to be part of this journey, helping businesses recruit exceptional talent and encouraging more women to step into roles that can transform the industry.

If you’re an employer aiming to strengthen your team, call us on 0330 440 2323. Or if you’re ready to take your career in bus and coach forward, explore our latest roles.

 

References

 

Our Google Reviews

Phil B.
Kemp helped me into a permanent position in work. Karla really guided me through everything
Richard P.
I recently approached Kemp Recruitment when I was looking for a new role. Jamie very quickly found me the ideal role. The entire process was so easy, and It was an absolute pleasure dealing with Jamie. I had regular phone updates and check in's. I would highly recommend Kemp Recruitment to anyone looking for their next career move
kerry C.
Jack has been fantastic with helping with my recruitment. Always kept me up to date with information and contacting to check if anything was needed from him. Cheers Jack
Munashe K
Had a great experience with Kemp Recruitment, especially thanks to Jamie Hicken. Jamie was super helpful and made the whole process of finding a job so much easier. Jamie is the one who found me the role and got me set up with Renault Trucks kept me updated at every step. Really friendly, easy to talk to, and always quick to reply. Couldn’t have asked for better help — thanks so much! Highly recommend Kemp Recruitment Agency to anyone looking for work!
Ryan S.
It's been a pleasure working along side Jamie to find my new role, a great personality makes job hunting very easy
Rhedz
I have 5 stars experience from Kemp Recruitment. Especially to beautiful women named Karla, she helped me step by step with my new career and she always gives you advice and updates about how I can get my new job. Thank you very much Karla for your service and patience with me.
Alanna T.
Amazing abi has been great this whole experience with updates and messages to support/help as much as she can would highly recommend. She is an amazing asset to kemp recruitment
roy W.
Abi was very helpful and polite. She kept me updated at every stage.
I am extremely pleased with the service I have received.
I can't recommend Abi highly enough.
jordan C.
I recently had a great experience with Dan L after some recent bad news about my current job Dan helped me find a role that really suits me. He was in regular contact with updates when I needed them. I think after I initially applied with Kemp Co I had the interview and a job offer within 7days
Plant Team - Kemp R.
Have dealt with Amy at Kemp couldn't recommend them more, would be happy to use again! and recommend to everyone!
Ricki A.
Jamie introduced me to a hirer and I got the job, couldn’t have done it without the introduction. Great communication throughout the process. Appreciate the time and effort from the team
Kamil B.
I am extremely happy with the quick help, great communication which allowed me to understand everything, and the explanation of all the things that I needed to know. Thank you Ben for all the great work!
gary S.
Can't thank Celi and Jack enough for getting me back to work they found me as to me finding work with Kemp and have been really busy in contact getting me a job thanks so much
Lucy B.
Jamie and Natalie have been amazing from start to finish, from the first message and call about roles that were available that i would be interested in and have experience in to gaining a new job role. Would highly recommend.
Malcolm W.
Amy Parsons was amazing to deal with, totally professional and very supportive. Her energy and expertise contributed greatly to me getting my dream job. Thank you Amy 👏
Alex S.
I have had the pleasure of dealing with Cal at kemp recruitment.

He has been on the ball and friendly. He has very recently arranged an interview for a job locally to me which I was successful in getting.

Massive thanks to Cal for getting it all set up. Absolute legend.
Adam N.
Friendly and helpful,would definitely recommend
Joshua P.
Anja was really helpful and informative even tho I wasn't selected for the role. Kept me upto date in a timely manner. Hopefully use this company for future roles. Great service so far.
andy B.
Could not be happier with the help I received from Karla, who's help in sorting everything out with my new job position.
Alan P.
Fantastic people and would not hesitate to recommend Kemps to anyone, team are very friendly and helpful, they got me sorted with my career move and could do enough for me, Jack and Robert are two top people thanks again really appreciate it
Gary S.
Paul C.
Great agency, professional and very responsive. Amy Parsons
Daniel N.
Recently had a new job opportunity thanks to Jamie at Kemp Recruitment. She made everything so easy, smooth and got me what I was looking for! Always at the end of the phone if I had a question about anything I was not sure of and always delivered. Very professional and highly recommend for sure!

Thank you so much for your help and looking forward to what the future holds thanks to you Jamie, nice one!
Angela P.
There was an issue, however the matter has been resolved by the Operations manager Sam and the rest of the staff, including Matt. Very happy with the results. Looks like there was a lack of communication between A staff memberhowever everything has been resolved. Natalie, my first contact with the company was very lovely and professional. The operations manager has been really lovely and professional with me.
Response from the owner:Hi Angela, many thanks for your feedback. Our Operations Director will be contacting you shortly to discuss this further.
Martin J.
Excellent help and support from Kemp Recruitment.
Beth was a great person to deal with. Very professional, friendly and supportive. Good communication too.
I would definitely recommend using them.
Lewis P.
Anja gets my vote for most professional and proficient agency staff of 2025!
Forget these other agencies!

Anja called me within half an hour and went through everything in a proficient manor that left me with no questions.

Within 24 hours she has got me in contact with top firms who aren’t cowboys.

Props to Kemp for having staff such as Anja.
Spud E.
Amy was an absolute star , she look after me all the through the process from would you be interested in this position to congratulations on your new job ,
martin M.
Tom
I worked with Jack from Kemp Recruitment, and he absolutely smashed it, advocated for me to get great money, never had me paid late and checked in constantly to make sure I was getting on alright at work. I'm now in post full time thanks to Jack & KR 👍👌
Mark B.
Very friendly staff, very helpful very good at passing information on up to the interview Very helpful after the interview
Kevin M.
Great experience with Kemp Recruitment abi king is fantastic thank you for everything you have done for me 👍
Robbie S.
Kemp Recruitment Ltd have been great in helping me secure my next role. Amy is really helpful and supportive. I highly recommend Amy.
Matthew H.
Dave Wallace was great to deal with. Really nice guy with good clear communication from start to finish. Very happy with the outcome. Would highly recommend Dave and Kemp to anyone.
Harry M.
Found a job very quickly with kemp thanks to jamie.
Tomasz C.
An absolute 5* experience with Kemp recruitment. Shane which helped me to find my dream job is a top of the top professional. The way all went through is an amazing experience of more then an expert approach and effort in his role. Thank you very much.
Richard D.
Thank you to kemp recruitment my contact Anja has been great to deal with from start to finish, She has acted in a professional and kind manner and has been excellent finding me a new role. Keeping me updated every step of the way Anja has provided an excellent service and is great at her job, Highly recommend Kemp recruitment to anyone. A five star service well done Anja and Thank you
Joe
I dealt with a lady called anja and from the first time I spoke with her it felt like I had known her for years and we were talking like best friends would, but besides that I was completely relaxed the way she was so professional with me and I was so happy with everything she said and did for me. Not only has she got me a good job but she has made it clear that I can always ring her if I ever need anything. Fantastic performance of anja and kemp recruitment. Thank you so much
DJ A
Woow what a great recruitment agency, they found my CV on line had a call on the Tuesday to say had a great job for me, interview arranged for the next day. 2nd interview was just as quick the following week and then received job offer same day. In less than 2 weeks after they achieved in 2 weeks what I couldn't do in 12 weeks trying to find one myself after being made redundant. Amy was amazing. Thank you
Adam R.
Great help finding my new job role from Jamie and Natalie, both were very attentive when I was searching for a new job and couldn’t be more helpful. Great experience and can’t recommend enough 👍
Kristina P.
Had 3 previous jobs from Kemp, always spot on. Recently had an interview arranged by Ryan Callan, although I chose not to take the position, all was as discussed and professional throughout. Would happily use keep again, reg Jonathan P
Mark C.
Like a breath of fresh air ! Jamie and Natalie sorted me a new role in hours absolutely recommend them and kemp recruitment
Evgeni M.
Very friendly, very helpful people, big professional and they found me very good full time job
Lewis A.
Fast, professional, and efficient! The Jamie was responsive and truly understood my career goals. They matched me with the right opportunities quickly and supported me through the entire process. Highly recommend for anyone looking to make a smart career move.
Liam O.
Excellent 👌 Dave Wallace was fantastic supported me all through my new career journey I now have a full time job thanks to Dave and the team
William T.
I would like to thank lilly and Shane at kemp recruitment for finding and securing my new role in a fast and professional manner. I will be using this company for work roles from now on.
6 out of 5 stars 😊
Charlie P.
Spot on recruitment services
Got me a interview the following day after speaking to one of their agents and following with constant communication excellent service would highly recommend to anyone looking for work hats off to Jamie hicken very helpful to the run up to the interview and afterwards was very nice Jamie hicken thank you for all your help
Andre P.
In the short time I have communication with Ben Bush at Kemp it has been excellent, helpful,informative and my questions have always been answered his help has been second to none and very professional I could not recommend them enough.
William T.
I had a great experience with Kemp Recruitment, especially Jamie. Jamie was amazing, she was on the ball finding the correct job for me. The work she put in literally blew me away. Keep up the good work and thank you again for everything you have done
Tom S.
I had a fantastic experience working with Shane from Kemp Recruitment. From our first conversation, he was highly professional, responsive, and genuinely committed to helping me find the right opportunity.

Shane quickly identified a role within the hydraulic industry that was a great fit for my skills and experience. He arranged an interview promptly and went out of his way to accommodate my schedule around work hours—something I truly appreciated.

Throughout the process, Shane maintained excellent communication, keeping me informed and supported every step of the way. Thanks to his efficiency and dedication, I was successful in securing the role.

I highly recommend Shane to anyone looking for a knowledgeable and reliable recruitment professional. He made what can often be a stressful process feel smooth and straightforward.