Women Are Aiding the Driver Shortage
Women Are Aiding the Trucking Industry!
The trucking industry is an essential part of the global economy, transporting goods and materials across long distances. However, in recent years, the industry has been facing a severe shortage of truck drivers. To overcome this problem, trucking companies are increasingly turning to women to fill this vital role.
Women have been traditionally underrepresented in the trucking industry, with only a small percentage of drivers being female (7.9% in 2018). However, the trend is changing, and more women are joining the industry as truck drivers, dispatchers, and safety roles. Women now make up almost 8% of truck drivers and sales delivery drivers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That number is even higher, 14% — for Class A license road drivers (which includes any driver who can operate vehicles weighing over 26,000 pounds), almost double what it was just five years ago, according to the 2022 Women in Trucking Index. This is great for the industry as it lowers cost for shippers in acquiring truckload capacity while increasing the pool of skilled drivers & dispatchers.
The trucking industry is not for everyone, but it offers women many benefits, such as a flexible schedule, good pay, and the opportunity to travel. Trucking companies are also offering incentives to attract more women, such as better training programs, improved working conditions, and more competitive salaries.
One of the biggest challenges for women entering the truckload trucking industry is the perception that it is a male-dominated field. However, this is gradually changing as more women are stepping up and proving themselves as skilled and reliable truck drivers. The trucking industry is also changing to become more accommodating to women, with companies providing more female-friendly amenities, such as bathrooms and showers.
"Trucks were designed for men. Uniforms were made for men. We didn't even have showers at the truck stops for women because they were locker room showers, so really it wasn't a level playing field." - Ellen Voie, CEO of Women in Trucking
Women are also joining the industry in other roles, such as dispatchers and safety personnel. Dispatchers are responsible for scheduling and coordinating the movement of trucks and drivers, ensuring that deliveries are made on time. Safety personnel work to ensure that trucks and drivers comply with safety regulations and guidelines, reducing accidents and improving overall safety on the roads.
Women in the trucking industry are helping to bridge the gap in the driver shortage, but they are also bringing new ideas and perspectives to the industry. They are just as capable as their male counterparts and are helping to change the face of the trucking industry.
In conclusion, more women are becoming truck drivers, dispatchers, and safety personnel, helping the trucking industry to overcome the driver shortage. The industry is becoming more accommodating to women, and companies are providing better training and working conditions. Women are proving themselves as skilled and reliable drivers, and they are bringing new perspectives and needed capacity to the industry. The future of the trucking industry is bright, and women are an essential part of its success.
TLI Insights
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