Women in the Trucking Industry
The trucking industry is being urged to diversify in order to attract a new talent pool that crosses gender, ethnicity, age, and demographics in an environment where a generation of truck drivers is retiring, and a small number of new drivers are entering the pool. Statistics show that this change in course is beneficial, especially when women are given the opportunity behind the steering wheel.
Only 7% of the commercial trucking workforce is currently made up of women, but this percentage could rise significantly. Now is the ideal time for women to pursue trucking as a career because of the industry's excellent compensation packages, and the unprecedentedly high need for truck drivers to address the crisis on truck driver shortage. As the backbone of our country's supply chain, one big encouragement is that truck drivers can truly make a difference and become a part of something essential and impactful. This, coupled with the opportunity to travel while still making a living, are both benefits of the job - as is the industry's highest level of autonomy.
Since there is no single factor causing the scarcity, there is also no single solution. There are 80,000 trucking jobs available this year alone, despite huge salary rises and improved working conditions. By 2030, that is anticipated to double its number. Why? Most drivers are departing before normal retirement age, and around half of all drivers will be retiring. Due to the pandemic, failing drug tests, or lifestyle changes impacting difficulties with the length of time away from home, some drivers have been forced out of the industry.
In the next decade, the US trucking sector will require up to one million drivers to meet demand. Currently, women make up roughly 7% of all large rig drivers. Despite the trucking industry traditionally being a male-dominated industry, more and more women are answering the call to become professional truck drivers. The population of women truckers increased by 68% between 2018 and 2019. The time to start hiring women as truck drivers has come, not just due to the American driver shortage but because these demographics are of no difference when both sectors are capable to fulfill the job. Today, women are already on the open road and taking to the nation's highways, where they are finding comparable employment prospects and higher compensation.
One of the biggest obstacles that carriers are facing is convincing women that this field welcomes them, and that they are qualified for the positions available. A recruiting campaign can be quite effective if advertised properly, despite the fact that it may appear like a difficult task. However, since everyone should have an equal opportunity to discuss what they require specifically - it is best to remember that each applicant is unique especially when the time to make a hiring decision arrives. Knowing that there is a dramatic shortage of truck drivers available today, encouraging women to enter the trucking industry could help to address the nation’s movement demands.
Having mentioned that the trucking sector actively seeks to increase the pool of female drivers, and that over the past ten years, the numbers has steadily increased as a result of the effort, there is still, however, a lack of such truck drivers in the field. That’s why the need to help women in trucking is still present. In return, their presence in the trucking sector will:
• Boost operational efficiency and total income creation
• Encourage increased innovation, problem-solving, and idea development.
• Contribute fresh viewpoints
One can imagine so much about what it's like to be a female truck driver before entering the field. It raises several concerns for women, including representation and safety. But is it safe indeed for women to drive trucks? For many women considering a career as truck drivers, this is a genuine question and concern. We would first like to draw attention to the regrettable fact that, for decades, the top ten most dangerous vocations in the U.S. have regularly included truck drivers.
However, this ranking is gender-neutral and takes into account the risks associated with driving large commercial trucks. Despite this, the technology and industry rules governing vehicles now make truck driving far safer than it was in the past. Unfortunately, despite these improvements in safety, it is still more challenging for women to work in trucking because of issues like the following:
Work-life balance for truck drivers
- Women, like men, struggle with unbalanced schedules that leave them with less time to care for their families and personal lives, especially since moms are typically the primary caretakers for children.Heavy cargo weights
- Although women are more than capable of lifting heavy cargo, discrimination against men over women might occur when hauling heavier loads on trucks.Possibility of workplace harassment
- Women in trucking are more vulnerable to inappropriate behavior from men, especially while traveling alone at night.Why trucks are not physically made for women
- Reaching to press the pedal in a truck is more challenging for women because of their shorter stature.
No matter the location, safety and well-being are always top priorities. Respective drivers are crucial to the safe functioning of a large vehicle. One’s on-the-job safety depends on the adherence to safety regulations and driving your commercial vehicle while following best practices. A heightened sense of awareness and vigilance is advised.
To attract a diversified talent pool across gender lines, here are a few recruitment suggestions that are data-driven to assist trucking organizations:
Offer a Flexible Schedule
Work-life balance is frequently cited as a crucial factor to take into account while choosing a career. High turnover rates in the sector are attributed in large part to the lack of flexibility in shift arrangements. Numerous transportation businesses have discovered workable solutions to incorporate flexible work schedules. The dangers can be reduced, and flexible work hours can become advantageous for all parties by keeping drivers in their local area, creating a clear and codified policy on flex hours, and using smart route routing.
People must see through your mission statement
While creating a business culture centered on a compelling mission statement can guarantee that you draw in the best candidates for the position, Transparency regarding the value a driver offers can raise satisfaction levels and lower turnover.
Showcase your people
The ideal applicants are more likely to be drawn to trucking companies that use social media and other platforms to tell their story and differentiate themselves from the competition. Consider how you could honor your people by showcasing their diverse backgrounds, passions, and personalities. If you are inclusive in your social media and recruitment efforts, your organization will be able to draw a wider spectrum of individuals.
Execution of Women's Success Blueprint
Many carriers are starting to put programs in place to support women's advancement and success within their organizations. When carriers are aware that corporate social responsibility is profitable, it will then increase employer brand strength and open untapped and unexplored networks.
The industry is recognizing that when marketing to women, women are more concerned with safety, both on and off the road. Companies need to emphasize how important equipment safety is to them, showcase innovative features, and indicate how interested they are in employing software that restricts truck speed to 60, 64, or 68 mph. The emphasis and genuine attention to such would make the profession more attractive to women. The life on the outside as well is as important as the internal factors; placing truck stops with improved lighting and security will make driving more enticing to women drivers and offer them a sense of personal security.
In addition, women are typically more visual. Promoting a situation from real life that she can identify with is a very efficient technique to encourage such skilled individuals in this demographic to give trucking a try as their career. Nothing beats a woman role model being seen and her stories on the road being heard by potential and aspiring lady truckers out there!
Female newcomers may require particular support because there are so few women in the trucking industry. Assist the female drivers in your fleet in establishing their preferred support group. Allow a safe space where they can air grievances, get guidance from experienced drivers, and forge connections within your organization. They will develop a sense of community as a result, which will help with retention and enhance your employer brand. Another thing that carriers can do is to share informational materials on the transportation sector and the job opportunities available to women there. Lastly, giving women-friendly perquisites such as self-defense classes, relevant podcasts to listen to while driving, and wellness manuals can be another tool for attracting and keeping women drivers. Give them access to resources and skills that will enable them take care of themselves away from their home base and give them more confidence to be out there on the road independently.
Provide factual data
Pave way for the latest generation of female drivers to evaluate and describe their jobs. Bring up the fact that women not only work as truck drivers for a living, but they also like it. Based on reader profile’s statistics, only 26% of female truck drivers are happy with their professions, whereas 55% adore them and 90% of them say they would advise other women to become truck drivers. That level of job satisfaction is exceptional.
Finally, it's important to offer options for paid CDL training, equitable compensation, and comfortable equipment
Women make the best drivers thanks to excellent safety instruction and the choice of novice driving positions. By providing numerous company shouldered CDL training choices, such as tuition reimbursement, that can aid in defraying the expense of obtaining a CDL. Additionally, where same-gender training cannot be accommodated, separate sleeping arrangements are provided during driver orientation. trucks that are designed with features and technology to improve your safety and comfort while driving. Automated transmissions are easier to drive, seat ergonomics are designed specifically for comfort and use, getting manufacturers like Peterbilt to think about women when they design new trucks, to adapt better ergonomics for their shorter arms and legs. These are all points that can be highlighted when aiming to recruit female truckers.
As this giant sector of trucking expands along with our competitive country,
the great demand for drivers and the high compensation associated with the position surely creates great opportunities for women to compete on an even arena.
Here at AJG Transport, we support the reality that women indeed play a vital role in filling the gap in trucking. Regardless of age, ethnicity, background, generation gaps, and gender, we are ready to help each one as we come together in fighting crises and strengthening our ground in this industry full of possibilities.
We acknowledge that women, too, are the future of trucking.
AJG Transport Operation Team