WSP Executive Director Rachel Skinner leads UK skills taskforce

The UK Department for Transport has appointed WSP Executive Director Rachel Skinner CBE to lead a new taskforce on the skills needed to boost the UK's future transport workforce.

Boosting diversity and plugging the skills gap

The UK government is calling for industry leaders like Rachel, and the wider public, to help find and train the next generation of transport leaders.

A 12-week consultation will help to better understand the future skills needed to boost diversity, plug the skills gap and promote careers across the industry, with participants able to post their views and ideas.

This new taskforce, launched during National Apprentice Week, is leading the charge on promoting careers and aims to create thousands of opportunities for the next generation of talent.

"We want the brightest and best to join the transport sector, and these plans will super-charge apprentice schemes and other training routes and help attract top talent from the full spectrum of society," explains Minister Andrew Stephenson.

"This taskforce will break down barriers to the leaders of the future who will deliver services that are essential to keep our country and economy moving."

Working alongside group of industry leaders

The taskforce will be led by Rachel, who is the youngest ever President of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and only the second woman to hold the role. She is working alongside a representative group of industry leaders from across the transport sector.

Rachel is also looking to improve diversity in the industry, where women make up just 20% of the workforce and ethnic minorities are still underrepresented. The taskforce will look to overhaul how, and where, to find future transport professionals.

"I know how challenging, rewarding and fascinating working within the transport sector can be, particularly at the forefront of our net zero transition," adds Rachel

"It’s well-known that a more diverse and inclusive workforce increases creativity, collaboration and productivity, and I’m excited to use my experience to ensure people from underrepresented groups can build brilliant careers in transport."