Today’s resilient labor market challenges leaders to attract and develop high-performing talent needed for a highly skilled workforce. Organizations need team players and problem solvers who can think out of the box and create a forward-looking solution.
While companies seek sources of talent, they may be struggling to overcome gender diversity. Research shows that women continue to experience pay disparities, and they have less access to growth and promotional opportunities.
The trucking industry is looking forward to adding more women drivers. Their efforts have paid off with consistent growth of women in the trucking industry over the past decade, but they remain a minority in the industry with less than 10% of nationwide truck drivers. Continued support for women in trucking is needed and look for ways to improve the situation for them.
Woman power, as the research suggests females in the companies with representation of management and executive leadership outperform their peers as they have sharp instincts and formidable skills that can be seen in business as a result.
Trucking Women Staff
It’s no secret that the trucking industry is short on several professional drivers. Encouraging and targeting women to join the industry as drivers can help with the shortage of drivers of almost 80,000 and minimize short staffing.
Women make up only around 10% of the trucking workforce. Recruiting and hiring them is one way to fight these shortfalls and keep them engaged in the job for the long term and not just in the short term.
When you look at the most successful professional truck driver recruiting and retention strategies, based on the criteria:
- Developing strategies to make sure that recruiting and existing efforts may have career opportunities and benefits that uplift and resonate with female drivers
- Broadening search to new and underrepresented service provision and having a female who can perform well in the field.
- Competitive offers for female drivers.
Hiring More Female Drivers
The average salary of a female driver typically ranges from $40,000 while the average hourly rate for local truck drivers is $28.4 per hour. The local truck driver’s salary is impacted by location, education, and experience. It is the same with the male truck drivers. They are paid the same amount of money as they’re getting paid by a mile of a load of percentage. So, it’s not an issue whether you are a male or female when it comes to pay.
Fostering an inclusive environment and leveraging technology can greatly benefit companies in attracting and retaining female drivers. Here are a few more points to consider:
- New Perspective And Performance: As mentioned, women bring a new perspective to the trucking industry, which can lead to improved business performance. Diverse teams are known to enhance problem-solving, innovation, and idea generation, contributing to overall revenue generation.
- Gender Diversity: Women are actively seeking companies that foster gender diversity and inclusivity. Demonstrating a commitment to diversity and providing equal opportunities for growth and advancement will attract female drivers.
- Competitive Compensation And Benefits: Offering competitive compensation and benefits packages is crucial to attracting and retaining female drivers. Conduct market research to ensure that your offerings align with industry standards and are appealing to potential candidates.
- Flexible Hours And Work Requirements: Providing flexible work arrangements, such as adjustable schedules or part-time options, can help accommodate the needs of female drivers who may require more flexibility due to family responsibilities or personal commitments.
- Professional Development And Career Advancement: Invest in professional development programs and career advancement opportunities for female drivers. This includes mentorship programs, training initiatives, and pathways for growth within the organization.
Technology:
- Safety And Risk Reduction: Advanced technology, such as AI-powered programs and dash cams, can significantly enhance driver safety by preventing accidents, reducing the risk of driver blame, and lowering insurance costs. These technologies can contribute to a safer work environment and increase job satisfaction for all drivers.
- Efficiency And Compliance: Technology solutions can improve operational efficiency, ensuring compliance with regulations, and streamlining processes. Telematics systems and fleet management software can optimize routes, monitor vehicle performance, and improve overall productivity.
- Productivity And Profitability: By leveraging technology, companies can enhance productivity through automated processes, real-time data analysis, and predictive maintenance. This can result in improved profitability for the business and better working conditions for drivers.
Considering these factors and incorporating technology into your operations can help attract more women to the trucking industry and create a supportive and inclusive work environment.
Companies To Know
Research and look at job sites for women’s trucking careers. Below are some companies you can consider:
- Advanced Trucking
- Estes Express Lines
- Carter Express
- Dart Transit Company
- BCB Transport
- Frito Lay
- Jetco Delivery
- Trimble
- Ryder
- Schneider
- PACCAR
- UPS
You might also want to start building your own trucking company. But first, you must do your research and understand load boards. It is an online resource to help find loads that need delivery. It can also be a good starting point to have a truck company owned by a woman.
Trucking Associations
Joining a trucking association also gives you benefits. Below are some of the associations you can join:
- Women In Trucking Association
- American Trucking Association
- Owner-Operator Independent Drivers
- Arizona Trucking Association
Challenges Facing by Female Truck Drivers
Female drivers face impediments in trying to enter and remain in the industry.
- Work schedules can be exhausting and challenging for them.
- Fair compensation remains a problem.
- They may not be encouraged or supported to have professional development.
- Career Advancement
- Treated differently
- Often not be selected for big hauls
- May be subjected to verbal and physical conduct
All these obstacles and issues could bring down female truck drivers’ morale and make it more difficult for fleets to retain their qualified female truckers.
Empowering
To achieve empowerment, companies must motivate their female drivers by showing their trust, encouraging them to develop, and giving them a feeling of ownership. As a leader or employer, it’s your role to inspire them, give them good feedback to uplift them, and provide constructive criticism when necessary.
Bottom Line
When drivers feel that their company or employers are invested in them, they’re less likely to move to another trucking company. Listening to their concerns and providing professional support can help attract more female drivers.
Meanwhile, advanced technology that will help improve their skills, help them keep safe and secure, and have driver satisfaction will help retain tenure members and attract new ones who will help the company to succeed.
