EVolution is a news, intelligence and analysis service dedicated to the emerging business of supporting electric and hydrogen-fuelled vehicles.

‘Recruiting women will help tackle HGV driver shortage’

05 October 2021
One of the 1%: HGV driver Jenny Tipping (PHOTO: Owen Miller)
One of the 1%: HGV driver Jenny Tipping (PHOTO: Owen Miller)

 

One way of addressing the shortage of HGV drivers in the UK would be to recruit more females, according to Women in Transport. The not for profit organisation points to the latest figures from Logistics UK, which shows that less than 1% of HGV drivers are women.

Women in Transport’s president Jo Field said: “In the past few weeks we have seen the impact of a shortage of heavy goods vehicle drivers. The crisis originally affected our food supplies and in the past few days we’ve seen the same issue with petrol, causing turmoil across the country.  

“The problem is a simple one; we don’t have enough drivers to transport our goods. To tackle this issue, we need to attract more workers into the haulage industry.”

Free webinar: Gender on the Agenda, Friday 8 October 14.00 - register here

The transport industry’s “image problem” is discouraging women from becoming HGV drivers, said Field. “This is an issue which came up in our research on gender perceptions and experiences working in transport, published earlier this year. 

“While the barriers that are stopping women entering the profession require further investigation, it is clear that if recruitment efforts are focused on only half of the population, the chances of successfully finding drivers to transport our essential goods are greatly reduced.” 

Research carried out by Women in Transport earlier this year, based on a sample of 567 transport workers, revealed that over two-thirds of women (70%) feel the transport industry has an image problem. “Other barriers we are aware of include a lack of roadside facilities,” said Jo Field. 

She told LTT: “As less than 1% of HGV drivers are women, this represents a huge source of untapped potential to address the current driver shortage. Targeted recruitment campaigns, improving roadside facilities and addressing the industry’s image problem could help to attract more women to the industry.”

Team Leader (Network Co-ordination) RBKC618467
The Royal Borough of Kensington And Chelsea

£49,854 - £56,565 per annum
Sustainable Transport Officer
Derbyshire County Council
County Hall, Matlock
Grade 9 £30,054 - £31,963 per annum
Team Leader (Network Co-ordination) RBKC618467
The Royal Borough of Kensington And Chelsea

£49,854 - £56,565 per annum
View all Vacancies
 
Search
 
 
 

TransportXtra is part of Landor LINKS

© 2024 TransportXtra | Landor LINKS Ltd | All Rights Reserved

Subscriptions, Magazines & Online Access Enquires
[Frequently Asked Questions]
Email: subs.ltt@landor.co.uk | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7091 7959

Shop & Accounts Enquires
Email: accounts@landor.co.uk | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7091 7855

Advertising Sales & Recruitment Enquires
Email: daniel@landor.co.uk | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7091 7861

Events & Conference Enquires
Email: conferences@landor.co.uk | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7091 7865

Press Releases & Editorial Enquires
Email: info@transportxtra.com | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7091 7875

Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Advertise

Web design london by Brainiac Media 2020