How To Support Women In Trucking

There’s no doubt that women face unique challenges when working in the trucking industry. According to a report from the National Transportation Institute, women make up only seven percent of all truck drivers in the United States. And of those women, most are clustered in lower-paying driving jobs.

This lack of gender diversity can make it difficult for women to find mentors and role models and lead to isolated work environments where they may feel unsupported.

Fortunately, there are ways to combat these challenges and support women in trucking. This article will explore ways to create a more supportive environment for women truckers.

Important Female Truck Drivers Statistics

Before we get into how to support women in trucking, let’s look at some important statistics about female truck drivers.

According to American Trucking Associations, women make up only 7% of all truck drivers in the United States.

However, that number is growing. In the last ten years, the number of women getting their Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) has increased by 21%.

Despite this growth, women are still vastly outnumbered by men in the trucking industry. And that can lead to some unique challenges.

What Is the Average Female Truck Driver’s Salary?

Based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics, truck drivers make $48,310 per year on average. The good thing is that, for the most part, men and women truck drivers earn the same salary each other.

The pay is not determined by gender but by the type of truck you drive, the route you take, and how much experience you have. However, there is a bit of a discrepancy when it comes to the type of trucking jobs that women hold.

Trucking job has been considered one of the most stable and recession-proof jobs in America. In fact, the trucking industry is projected to grow by 21% from 2010 to 2020. This is good news for anyone looking for a stable career, regardless of gender.

Benefits Of Recruiting Women In The Trucking Industry

Despite the challenges, there are many good reasons to recruit women into the trucking industry. For one, they tend to be safer drivers. Women are involved in far fewer accidents than men, and they also tend to have fewer speeding violations.

Additionally, women truck drivers tend to take better care of their trucks. This means that they’re less likely to experience breakdowns and other maintenance issues.

Finally, women tend to be more detail-oriented than men, which can come in handy when completing paperwork and logging hours.

What Challenges Do Female Truck Drivers Face?

It’s no secret that the trucking industry is predominately male. This lack of gender diversity can lead to some unique challenges for women truckers.

One of the biggest is simply being outnumbered by men. This can lead to isolation, as women may feel like they don’t have anyone to relate to or look up to. Additionally, this gender imbalance can also lead to sexual harassment and discrimination.

Another big challenge facing female truck drivers is the issue of rest stops. Because most are designed with male truckers in mind, they can be unsafe and uncomfortable for women. This is especially true at night when there are often fewer people around.

Finally, female truckers also have to deal with the stereotype that they are not as good at the job as men. This can be frustrating and demoralizing, especially when it leads to being passed over for promotions or opportunities.

Despite these challenges, there are many things that can be done to support women in trucking.

Ways To Support Women In Trucking

If you’re looking to create a more supportive environment for women in trucking, there are a few things you can do. Here are a few suggestions:

• Encourage Women To Enter The Trucking Industry

The first step to supporting women in trucking is to encourage more of them to enter the industry. This can be done in a number of ways, such as:

• Making sure that women are aware of trucking as a career option
• Encouraging women who are already in the industry to stay and advance
• Providing mentorship and support to women who are new to trucking

• Promote A Culture Of Respect And Support

It’s important to create a culture of respect and support within the trucking industry. This means promoting values such as:

• Equality
• Teamwork
• Supportiveness
• Respect for others

• Provide Training And Development Opportunities

Investing in training and development opportunities for women truckers is a great way to show your support. This can include things like:

• Providing training on how to operate and maintain different types of trucks
• Offering development opportunities to help women advance their careers
• Creating a network of support for women truckers

• Give Back To The Community.

One way to support women in trucking is to give back to the community. This can be done in a number of ways, such as:

Volunteering with or donating to organizations that support women in trucking

Sponsoring events that promote women in trucking

Providing scholarships for women who want to enter the trucking industry

• Speak Up And Stand Up For Equality.

Lastly, it’s important to speak up and stand up for equality. This means:

• Challenging discrimination when you see it
• Advocating for policies that support women in trucking
• Supporting women-owned businesses in the trucking industry

Taking these steps can help create a more supportive environment for women in trucking.

Tips To Attract And Retain Women Truck Drivers

The trucking industry has been male-dominated for decades. While the number of women truck drivers has increased in recent years, they still only account for about 6% of all truck drivers. The industry is facing a driver shortage, which is only expected to grow in the coming years. This makes attracting and retaining women truck drivers even more important.

There are many reasons why women make great truck drivers. They tend to be more detail-oriented and have better organizational skills than men. Women are also less likely to get into accidents than men.

Despite these advantages, the trucking industry has not been very successful in attracting and retaining women drivers. In order to attract more women to the industry, trucking companies need to focus on making the industry more attractive to them. Here are some tips to do just that:

• Offer Flexible Schedules

One of the biggest reasons why women leave the trucking industry is because of the inflexible schedules. Trucking companies need to be more flexible when it comes to scheduling if they want to attract and retain women drivers. They could offer more flexible start times, for example. Or they could allow drivers to take more days off in between trips.

• Create a Family-Friendly Environment

Another reason why women leave the trucking industry is because it’s not very family-friendly. Trucking companies should make an effort to create a more family-friendly environment if they want to attract and retain women drivers. This could involve offering childcare services at truck stops, for example. Or it could involve providing more comfortable sleeper cabs for drivers who have families.

• Provide Opportunities for Advancement

Trucking companies should also provide opportunities for advancement if they want to attract and retain women drivers. Women want to know that there is room for them to grow within the company. They also want to know that they will be treated fairly and given the same opportunities as men.

• Improve Training and Safety Programs

The trucking industry has a training problem. New drivers, both male, and female, often feel unprepared for the job. Trucking companies need to invest in better training programs if they want to attract and retain women drivers. They should also focus on making their safety programs more effective.

Women want to feel safe when they are out on the road. They also want to know that they are being properly trained to do their job.

• Offer Competitive Compensation Packages

Trucking companies need to offer competitive compensation packages if they want to attract and retain women drivers. This includes not only salaries but also benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans. Women want to know that they are being compensated fairly for their work.

• Promote a Positive Company Culture

Trucking companies need to focus on promoting a positive company culture if they want to attract and retain women drivers. This includes creating an environment where everyone is treated with respect. It also means offering perks and amenities that make working for the company more enjoyable.

• Increase Marketing Efforts for Women

The trucking industry has not been very good at marketing itself to women. Trucking companies need to do a better job of promoting the industry to women. This could involve sponsoring events that target women, for example. Or it could involve creating marketing materials that are specifically designed to appeal to women.

The trucking industry has a lot to offer women. But it needs to do a better job of promoting itself to them. Trucking companies should focus on making the industry more attractive to women. By doing so, they will be able to reap the many benefits that women drivers have to offer.

How FleetCare Can Help Empower New And Current Female Truckers

At FleetCare, we are committed to helping all truckers succeed. This includes providing support and opportunities for female truckers. We understand that women face unique challenges in trucking. That’s why we offer a number of services to help them succeed.

One way we help female truckers is by offering exclusive training opportunities. We have a dedicated team of trainers who are experienced in helping women succeed in trucking. They can help new truckers learn the ropes and provide valuable tips on how to succeed in the industry.

We also offer exclusive networking opportunities for female truckers. Our networking events are a great way for women to connect with other successful female truckers. These events provide an opportunity to share tips, advice, and support.

In addition to training and networking opportunities, we also offer financial assistance to female truckers. We know that the cost of trucking can be a barrier for many women. That’s why we offer financial assistance to help offset the cost of trucking.

If you’re a woman trucker, we encourage you to take advantage of our services. We’re here to help you succeed. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you reach your goals.