The Great Resignation created a large vacuum of talent in the transportation workforce. Now, significant changes are being made throughout the industry in regards to recruitment efforts. Diversity and inclusion are taking the lead when it comes to finding new talent. However, the labor shortage and certain stigmas have left the well dry for many companies. The trucking industry has always been a resilient one, and companies are continuing to come up with new ways to attract and retain more women in leadership roles.
鈥淎dd that to simple things like imagery that only shows male truck drivers, and it鈥檚 easy to see why women may feel like the industry is not for them,鈥� Keller says.
鈥淪ocietal expectations have pushed more kids into college instead of the trades and the number of people entering the trucking industry has been on the decline,鈥� Rooney says. 鈥淐hallenges within the industry, especially around compensation structures, have also made it less desirable to stay in the industry. Factors like pay structures that do not include paid training, overtime, or paid waiting time have made drivers reconsider driving roles.鈥�
At the motto is that to grow in a career, it is critical for women to have examples and role models so they can see themselves in a role.
鈥淲e need to lead by example, tap into the female population, and encourage careers in this traditionally male industry,鈥� says a human resources source at FedEx Freight.
Keller says the driver shortage problem continues to plague the industry, and each year it seems to become more difficult for employers to find drivers.
鈥淐enterline Drivers found in its annual State of 午夜视频 survey that more than 70 percent of employers were having trouble finding drivers,鈥� he says. 鈥淔or many, this means that they have trucks sit for days 鈥� that increases costs and quickly impacts a company鈥檚 bottom line. The cost of having a truck sit empty is high. Our customers estimated the cost of a sitting truck is $500 to $1,500 per day, per truck. That鈥檚 a huge number.鈥�
Keller says the industry is continuing to deal with more people exiting via retirement rather than entering. The demand placed by increased e-commerce created an increase in the need for professional truck drivers to move products. This demand for drivers created a churn within the market as drivers sought to better their income, benefits, and home time.
鈥淭hey often made frequent job changes to better their individual situation,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he nature and lifestyle of the work can also be a factor, with hours, workplaces, and physical demands different than a typical corporate job.鈥�
One way the industry can continue to recruit women is by providing and promoting opportunities that may overcome common concerns.
鈥淔or example, some may be intimidated by driving a large truck,鈥� says one human resources executive at FedEx Freight. 鈥淪everal years ago, FedEx Freight began investing heavily in lower-height straight trucks for enhanced maneuverability in residential areas, providing flexibility through our Class B driver program. Given the increase in e-commerce and record-setting volume, we identified an opportunity for future drivers to match this impressive growth. The addition of Class B drivers to utilize straight trucks taps into a new market of future drivers at FedEx Freight.鈥�
Rooney says WM offers a lot of the benefits women seek in a trucking career. The company has multiple leadership training programs, paid training, family support, a paid tuition program, child and elder care assistance, and more.
鈥淲e have a People-First Culture where we strive to create a great place to work for all of our folks,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e have strategic partnerships with organizations that help bridge the gap between companies and available female talent such as The Mom Project and HirePurpose. We are constantly evaluating our benefit offerings to ensure they are attractive to women at all levels of the organization.鈥�
Keller says one other key element that often gets overlooked is having women represented in all touchpoints with female truck drivers.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 part of the reason Centerline Drivers has been able to increase its number of female drivers each year for the past three years,鈥� says Keller. 鈥淲e have more women in leadership, recruiting, and service center roles than many of our competitors. Plus, with policies like flexible schedules and programs in leadership and development and in-depth safety programs, we offer support to our drivers at every stop.鈥�
The industry needs more positive stories about drivers, FedEx Freight says.
鈥淲e need to encourage people to consider the industry as a lucrative career path, and to have greater appreciation for the people who do these jobs,鈥� the company says.
According to Keller, making drivers feel like they鈥檙e part of something while also offering family-friendly benefits will help keep female employees in the industry.
鈥淲hether it鈥檚 something like Women in 午夜视频, who does a great job of connecting drivers with each other or making sure that the company recognizes its drivers and gives them opportunities for recognition, success and movement in their careers is important,鈥� he says.
FedEx Freight started the Women鈥檚 Business Resource Team as an employee-led group with a mission to promote the roles and contributions of female team members as well as provide recruitment, development, mentoring, and networking opportunities to members of the group.
Rooney says WM wants to make sure all their locations have supportive and inclusive leaders that want to cultivate a community and a culture based on caring.
鈥淲e are listening to our people and being responsive to what鈥檚 important to them,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e鈥檙e making continued investments in our people, facilities, fleet, and evolving our business鈥ruck drivers are literally the foundation of our functioning society and are critically important.鈥�
Keller says at Centerline, drivers are matched with their ideal opportunity. Through an engaging conversation, recruiting managers focus on matching skills, shift and equipment preferences, and lifestyle to open positions.
鈥淚t鈥檚 flexible and creative solutions like that that will help get more women into the industry,鈥� he says.
According to Keller, the more women can picture themselves driving for a company, the more recruiting efforts will be effective. He says to stay away from using just one woman in recruiting materials. Use a variety of women, including all different shapes, sizes, and ethnicities.
鈥淎im to speak to women from numerous backgrounds,鈥� he says. 鈥淟et them know that you want them and the uniqueness that they bring.鈥�
This article was originally featured in Edition 2 of 2022 in our official magazine, Redefining The Road.
As a member of the 午夜视频, stay on top of emerging trends and business issues impacting transportation, logistics, and supply chain operations, learn the importance of gender diversity in the workplace and the need for more women drivers, and see best practices in encouraging the employment of women in the trucking industry. Learn More