Women in Ports - Interview with Jordan Robinson

04/03/22

The Ports/Maritime industry is still extremely male-dominated, equality and diversity within this industry is something that still requires work. We work with fantastic companies such as Peel Ports and ABP who support gender diversity, but it is an industry that is still lacking in such.

We wanted to interview some women we know who do or have worked within Ports including our own Service Delivery Manager Jordan Robinson. Find out more about Jordan’s history within the ports & another male-dominated industry…

What does a typical day look like for you as the Service Delivery Manager on the ports?

“As a Service Delivery Manager within the ports my days always start with a morning meeting with my team. During this meeting we will discuss any potential challenges so we can put plans in place for if they occur. We also discuss recruitment, planning, where we can support each other within various areas and of course what we are having for dinner. The first part of my week will be updating/ creating reports for upcoming meetings with our client. Towards the middle of the week, I will then begin one to ones with workers, visit terminals to ensure they are happy with our services and have discussions around any future requirements so I can ensure my team are prepared and have a plan in place.”

What led you to this position?

“I originally applied to join Stafforce as a Tug Driver for Immingham dock. I had a discussion with the branch manager who had seen my CV and noticed my teaching and transport experience and asked if I would like to attend an interview to join as an Account Coordinator. I attended as planned and the Operations Manager was happy with my interview and my CV and also noticed my experience within managing a team and asked if I would then like to interview for the Service Delivery Manager role at Immingham the same day. I accepted the interviews later on in the afternoon and was accepted and offered the Managers role.”

You previously worked as an HGV/Tipper Driver within Ports. What part of this job did you find the most challenging?

“The most challenging part of being a Tipper Driver was when we would be transporting dry cargo and it began to rain we would have to stop and wait for the rain to pass. This resulted being sat around which became very tedious and did make the days longer”

What did you find the most satisfying as a HGV/Tipper Driver on the ports?

“I liked the challenge of getting as much as possible off the vessels as a team to ensure the vessels could leave on time.”

You also had a career in the army, another male-dominated career path. What did your role entail?

“Within the Army I was part of a number of roles from Queens Guard, HVM Driver, Radio Operator and UAV Operator. I was 1 of 2 women within my troop and 1 of 4 within our battery. Going into the Artillery as a HVM (High-Velocity Missile) Driver wasn’t always a role women would be interested by so I did find myself always working with men. However, before leaving this occupation more women was joining which was lovely to see.”

What are your biggest career successes/achievements throughout your career?

“I am proud to have served my country within Iraq. I then became a teacher for SEN (Special Educational Needs), SEMH (Social and Emotional Mental Health) and behaviour children which was always rewarding being able to work with them to support their needs and integrate them back into a mainstream provision.”