In 2022, IPAF President Karin Nars launched the 'Women in Powered Access' initiative, inviting women of all ages and different professional roles to share their stories of inclusivity. The initiative includes a number of key actions, including providing a platform to tell the stories of women in powered access in both the media and at industry events. IPAF will also use its own print, web and social media platforms to share these inspirational case studies and will also continue to invite prominent women speakers to present at IPAF events. IPAF will share a series of case studies at  www.ipaf.org/casestudy to communicate the opportunities our industry offers women. 

What is your role in powered access? I have recently qualified as an IPAF Training Instructor; being the first to complete the Nationwide Platforms IPAF Trainee Programme.

How did you come into this industry and what attracted you to it? I joined the industry in 2017, initially working within the hire centre. After a period of time, I progressed on to become a team leader, which I really enjoyed, and then took up a role that supported the depot manager for a couple of months. February 2019 was the start of my career in training. An opportunity within Nationwide Platforms presented itself and I joined the internal Sales and Service Training Team –this was the first time I discovered that I had the passion for supporting and helping others develop and grow within the industry. The journey I have been on so far is the reason why I have not left the industry. You find yourself constantly learning and developing, especially when you have such a great team supporting you along the way as I do!

What do you find inspiring about your role? Being a training instructor means you are assisting customers along their own journey, and being able to do that means that not only am I there to share my knowledge and pass on what I have learnt over to the delegates, but also for me to learn from them via their own experiences that they are able to share with me during the duration of the training course.

Where do you see yourself in five years and what do you want to achieve? I want to continue developing, keep climbing that career ladder and to continue making a difference within the industry. Learning the courses and having them all under my belt confidently is my first focus. I want to use my experience as the first to complete the trainee instructor programme to support and guide others who are looking to start a career within this sector, which then in turn will lead me on to the right track to become a Senior IPAF Instructor. 

What one piece of advice would you give to other women in/thinking of entering the industry? If you want to do it... then do it! Don’t doubt yourself and focus on the goals you have and want to achieve. Work hard, and concentrate on your end goal, but make sure you have some fun along the way. I promise you that it will be rewarding in the end!

“Work hard, concentrate on your end goal, but make sure you have some fun along the way. I promise you that it will be rewarding in the end!”