Cat Goumal
Head of Education and Professional Development, Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation
Cat has over 15 years’ experience of managing education and professional development for professionals working in construction and the built environment. She now leads on all of CIHT's qualifications, including the Chartered Transport Planning Professional, Chartered Engineer and the Transport Planning Technician Apprenticeship. She also raises the profile of careers in highways and transportation, ensuring CIHT members develop the skills needed to tackle the requirements of the sector. As an experienced STEM engagement professional, she has a robust background in building relationships with organisations and individuals.
Behind every journey is a team of engineers
At the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation we believe the most powerful way to inspire future engineers is to show how engineering shapes daily life. From the moment you leave home in the morning to the time you return, engineering is all around you. Quietly making things work, keeping them safe, and helping communities thrive. Without a well-designed transport system, you wouldn’t get to school on time, shop shelves would be empty or easily meet friends and family.
This year’s Tomorrow’s Engineers Week theme, Dare to discover, is a perfect invitation to think more about the impact engineering has on keeping everything moving
Your journey to school
Our STEM ambassadors often begin their school sessions by asking students how they travel to school. Whether it’s by bus, bike, foot, or car, their answers open the door to a discussion about engineering. Roads, crossings, cycle lanes, traffic signals and public transport systems are all designed, built, and maintained by engineers. Suddenly, engineering isn’t abstract - it’s personal.
Have you ever thought about how you get from one place to another, whether it’s by bus, bike, ferry, or train? Behind every journey is a team of engineers and transport planners making sure everything runs smoothly.
Engineering in practice: Ryde Transport Hub
One exciting example is the Ryde Transport Hub, winner of the CIHT Better places award. Here, professionals worked together to create a safer, greener and more welcoming space. Before the project, Ryde Esplanade was crowded with traffic and tricky for buses and pedestrians. Now, thanks to clever design and teamwork, it has safer crossings, new cycle lanes, and a vibrant public area that connects with local transport.
Working in transport means solving real problems that help people every day. The Ryde Transport Hub team had to:
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redesign the whole area to make it safer to use buses
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upgrade old public spaces while keeping ferries, trains, and roads open
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use smart technology, like real-time travel info at bus shelters
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make walking and cycling safer and more appealing
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reuse recycled materials and reduce waste to help the environment
It wasn’t easy! The team had to plan around big events, work with buried historical structures, and keep local businesses running. But by working together and listening to the community, they made Ryde Esplanade a better place for everyone.
Is a career in transport for you?
If you like solving puzzles, working with technology, and making a difference, a career in transport could be for you. You could help design safer streets, plan greener journeys, or invent new ways for people to travel. Every project is different, and you get to leave a mark on your community that lasts for years.
Transport careers aren’t just about fixing potholes (although this is important!) A career in transport means solving real-world problems that affect people every day. You could help design safer roads or encourage more active travel. You could also ensure the transport network is prepared for a changing climate and even work on reducing the carbon emissions making travel more eco-friendly. It’s a job where you get to be creative, work with technology, and make a difference in your community. And the best part? One day, you could be part of a team that transforms your local area.
Find out more about some of the exciting opportunities to have a career in highways and transportation.
Visit the CIHT websiteIf you like solving puzzles, working with technology, and making a difference, a career in transport could be for you. You could help design safer streets, plan greener journeys, or invent new ways for people to travel.
— Cat Goumal, Head of Education and Professional Development, Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation
