Boatwomen's training scheme

The boatwomen's training scheme was an initiative in the United Kingdom during the Second World War to attract women to work on Britain's canal network.

Initiated by the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company (GUCCC) in 1942 the scheme was taken over by the Ministry of War Transport in 1944.

In the early part of the Second world war Britain's canals suffered from a labour shortage, caused mostly by military service (although until 1942 being a waterways boatmen was a reserved occupation) and the higher wages available in other employment.

[3][4] Two trips were made normally between London and Birmingham or Oxford carrying grain, coal or metal ingots.

[7] The training included how to work the boats, operating locks, loading and unloading cargo, and the geography of the canals.

The actual amount depended on the earnings of the boat based on tonnage carried split between the three women crew members.