No matter where you turn in the world of transport and physical operations, women are vastly outnumbered by men. You only have to look at the demographics at a roadside truck stop to see the imbalance and to know that the challenge of attracting more women to these jobs is neither new—nor easy. 

According to the International Road Transport Union (IRU), in 2021 fewer than 13% of transport workers were women. Its report, Women Driving Change, also found that women drivers only made up 6% of the workforce.

It’s a similar story in Canada. Earlier this year, TruckingHR Canada published a report, Driving Progress - The New Road Ahead, which found that between 2016 and 2021, the proportion of women in trucking and logistics increased from 15% to 16%, while the number of women drivers increased from 3% to 4%.

While the numbers are undoubtedly going in the right direction, these statistics are still underwhelming. And yet, there is a real urgency to see positive change. As the report points out, Canada’s trucking and logistics industry is struggling to recruit enough people to fill the jobs that keep the wheels of the economy turning. Women would be ideal to make up that shortfall.

Sharing experiences is a powerful tool for women truckers 

That’s why I was so heartened to attend—and speak at—the Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada’s (WTFC) 7th Annual Bridging the Barriers conference in Toronto this past September.

Established in 2015, WTFC is a “network of women created for women to empower, expand, and retain employment of—and shift attitudes about—women in the industry and beyond.” By gathering everyone in the industry under one roof, from front-line workers and safety teams to top decision-makers, we were able to share knowledge, encourage teamwork, and discuss issues around training, safety, career progression, education, and mentoring.

For me, speaking about these topics and sharing stories is one of the most powerful levers to drive change for women in the trucking industry. I spoke about my own personal journey when, at just 22 years old and fresh out of college, I found myself working for a railroad in the US in a male-dominated industry. I was shocked by what I saw and what I experienced personally. But instead of allowing it to discourage me, I’ve confronted this misogyny and used it as motivation to drive change within the world of transport and logistics. 

My story was just one of many shared at the event. One account that really highlighted the issue of safety for me came from drivers who spend long hours on the road, often far from home. They explained that they frequently make their last bathroom stop somewhere before their final rest stop for the night, to avoid being seen exiting their truck at the location where they plan to sleep.

Women drivers deserve respect

What’s clear is that even today, many women drivers continue to struggle to gain the respect they deserve. And as a result, they feel like they have to work harder than men. These shared experiences emphasize the need for solidarity and support within our industry.

They underline that despite ongoing efforts to remove barriers and combat long-standing biases, the road toward a more diverse and inclusive workforce is still quite bumpy. Delegates agreed that part of the problem stems from a lack of respect from the education system which has yet to fully embrace employment in transport and logistics as an equal career opportunity. 

Shifting the mindset of people in terms of their views and the image of the industry was a recurring theme throughout the conference. But one area where there appears to be growing consensus is the adoption of technology across the industry. 

Technology is reshaping both driving and careers in logistics

Many agreed that the technology revolution currently rippling across the trucking industry is fundamentally changing the way we work. Connected technology and AI-assisted dash cams mean drivers are safer regardless of where–and when—they’re out on the road. This isn’t just an important factor for recruiting women but something that should be consistent across the industry as a whole. 

The same is true of using technology to boost efficiency and personal productivity in an industry that is striving to reduce emissions and promote sustainability. We know, for example,  that upskilling and the introduction of easy-to-use technology are critical to employee productivity, retention, and recruitment. 

Samsara’s 2023 State of Connected Operations report found that 56% of leaders said improving workforce productivity with new technologies is a “critical priority for their organization.” They also predict that by 2025, more than half (55%) of their employees in the field will rely completely on digital workflows to perform day-to-day tasks.

The report found that automation, digitization, and AI are key to improving workforce productivity. Not only does this make the job more attractive to a new generation of workers, the increased professionalism and use of technology also make the job more appealing to women. 

While progress of recruiting more women in the trucking and logistics industry has been slow, there are reasons to be optimistic. Organizations such as the WTFC give women a much-needed platform to voice their opinions and concerns, while the introduction of technology is creating a safer, more efficient, and more inclusive work environment.