Why Female Truck Drivers Are Needed
A common trend over the course of the previous decade is the emphasis placed on the importance of female truck drivers. Trucking is a place that has historically lacked women and this trend has finally started to change as of late. Here, we’re going to break down why females can make a serious impact in trucking.
Truck Driver Shortage
Companies need more drivers. In fact, the trucking industry was short a whopping 60,800 drivers according to foxbusiness.com. And, given the current pace, this number will increase to approximately 160,000 by 2028. This shortage results in serious losses for not only trucking companies, but it impacts all sorts of businesses that rely on trucking for transportation of their product.
Lack of Female Truck Drivers
It is important to recognize that these businesses have been relying on mostly men to transport their product. In 2018, 93.4% of the time it was a male driver behind the wheel, as stated by ATA. But why? Women are just as capable, right? Well, the difficulties arise from the history of the industry and our country. Historically, the traditional American household consisted of a working father and a stay at home mother. This was just as true in trucking as it was any other industry. So, the trucking industry adapted to the male driver. Cabs to fit a man, training facilities that revolved around men’s needs, etc. Unfortunately, it took trucking longer to grow out of this than many other industries.
The Solution
Because of this, there is now a massive untapped labor force that is female truck drivers. Companies have started to take serious notice. They have identified the niche that is female truck drivers as a potential solution to the shortage problem. They’ve responded by adjusting recruiting techniques and making accommodations within facilities. As trucks have gotten more comfortable and technology continues to advance, trucking has become a more appealing career to all.
Furthermore, in addition to tangible advancements in trucking, many have been made in the driving role itself. The “OTR,” days are dead. When females decide to pursue a career in trucking, they have the piece of mind knowing there are free CDL schooling options, extensive training programs, and flexible driving positions that promise to get them home more often.
Equality in the Workplace and Female Truck Driving Success
Shortage issue aside, anyone should be given the opportunity to drive truck regardless of gender. Companies recognize that it is their responsibility to offer equal opportunities for careers and success to anyone. Truck driving can be a wonderful career. It offers financial stability and good benefits. As companies continue to adjust and progress, we will see the number of female truck drivers rise more and more. Women can now find new opportunity as truck driver and can truly make a difference both in the trucking industry, and the American economy as a whole.
I’m just out of school I have my cdl I’m interested in your company. I’d like more information and do you reimburse for those who are fresh out of school.
Hello Monica! Thank you for commenting! You may give Lauren or Tammi a call at 419.785.3252 and they would be happy to discuss this with you!
Thank you for sharing about female truck drivers, these will be really helpful for me. I love reading this blog; it talks so much about planning a great idea about it. Keep sharing such informative articles in future, will be appreciated.
This is really appreciated that you have presented this data over here, I love all the information shared. It will be very helpful to understand about the female truck drivers. Great post to share, thanks for publishing this here!!
Lovely post. I am glad that you’ve point this out. As we’re now in the era, where women are also thriving in industries that has been dominated by men over the years or for centuries. I also hope to see that more women can also enter in this kind of field.