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. 

Emily Bonsall
Managing Director, Certora Training, UK

What is your role in powered access? I am the Managing Director of Certora Training Ltd (formerly Mentor Training Solutions).

How did you come into this industry, and what attracted you to it? I joined Mentor Training in 2003 as a marketing assistant for a year’s work placement from university. As a 20-year-old, I wasn’t even really aware of the industry, let alone ever considering working in it – I soon realised that it had so much to offer.

In 2005 when I graduated, I returned to Mentor as a Marketing Coordinator. I have been lucky enough to work in an organisation that allows individuals to grow and develop with no limits on their aspirations regardless of their gender, hence my role with Certora Training today.

Working in all departments and gaining a vast amount of experience directly associated to training delivery, course creation, developing standards and the associated marketing – I can honestly say that I have never been bored!

What do you find inspiring about your role? Seeing people develop their skills, knowledge and behaviours and creating an environment where they can be successful. Whether that be learners attending one of our training courses, instructors and assessors delivering training, or members of my team. I am inspired when I see how our services and the industries that we operate in have such a positive impact on the capabilities and safety of others.

Where do you see yourself in five years, and what do you want to achieve? To continue to listen to our customers and support them and their learners to deliver a quality training service, while working with standard setting organisations to ensure that anyone receiving training gets the best courses available. In five years, I hope to be providing opportunities to my team to develop themselves and carve out a career that will give them the same opportunity and great satisfaction mine has given me.

What one piece of advice would you give to other women in/thinking of entering the industry? Get involved – it is a great industry to work in and one that I can honestly say I have never struggled in regardless of the demographic split. There are so many opportunities, from administration to compliance, marketing to engineering and finance to instructing.