Career with ‘limitless opportunity’ key to getting women behind the wheel

• In Western Australia the Kinetic team is growing, and changing the face of buses
• A career with ‘limitless opportunity’ has helped shape the workforce and attract talent made up of 25 per cent women
• This includes long-term bus driver Dal and new recruit Libby who started as a Special Education Support aid on school bus services and is now completing a traineeship

When it comes to a career that can take you anywhere, it is hard to beat bus driving.

That is what attracted Dal Willis to the industry in 1999 when she gained her bus licence in the United Kingdom.

Dal eventually made her way to Australia where she joined Kinetic due to the “limitless opportunity to work anywhere in Australia and around the world,” she said.

“As a bus driver with Kinetic I have already worked on the Gold Coast and now here in Perth and I love having a career where I can work all around Australia.

“There is great job security being a bus driver and it’s a workplace where each day you get to meet new people from all over the world.

“It feels like a different job every day and the industry is slowly changing for the better.

“More and more women are becoming drivers and I would certainly encourage anyone considering a career change to give it a go.”

One new recruit to the industry who is giving it a go is Libby Jones who wanted to work with children after completing her schooling.

Libby joined Kinetic as a School Bus Aid where she could pursue her passion by assisting children with special needs.

“When I saw the role advertised, I thought it was a perfect opportunity for me,” she said.

“It allowed me to keep studying and gain real life experience working with high needs children and I love seeing the kids smile when they’re on the bus.

“Since joining Kinetic I have been able to take up a traineeship and I hope to eventually complete a licence upgrade to drive buses once I reach an open car licence.

“There is so much opportunity in the transport industry and it has been a really rewarding experience so far.

“No two days are the same and I get to work on so many things. I already have experience in rosters, charters, sales and supporting the drivers.

“My dad was a bus driver and I love seeing how many women there are in our team now.

“I hope that I can one day take on a leadership role in the industry and inspire others to take on new challenges.”

Kinetic’s Executive General Manager for Western and Central Australia, Sarah Ismail, said Dal and Libby are perfect examples of the changing face of bussing.

“Transport is a traditionally male dominated industry, and women are still highly under-represented,” she said.

“However, progress is being made and both Dal and Libby demonstrate the different pathways and career opportunities that are available to women entering transport.

“There is still a long way to go but we know programs like our Women Up Front trainee bus driver program are helping to break down barriers.

“We are excited to be delivering this program to Western Australia as we continue to grow our operations in the state.”

Kinetic is committed to improving gender balance in its workforce and has recruited more than 170 new female bus drivers in 2024 through its Women Up Front strategy.

Its operations in Perth include government contracted services, school bus services and charter operations catering to tourism, events, resources and other business requirements.

Further enquiries
Steve Cadzow
Manager - Media and Communications
0428 127 147
steve.cadzow@wearekinetic.com