Many believe this increase has occurred due to technological advancements such as better automatic transmissions, no driver touch at customer facilities, and seating visibility; all of which have made the industry more accessible. Targeted marketing and word of mouth along with upgraded facilities have made it more accommodating for life on the road.
Other factors are high turnover rates coupled with older drivers getting ready for retirement. With the tight labor market employers are starting to hire from different demographic groups that they traditionally have not been associated with the trucking industry, such as women. Another key aspect of this increase can be attributed to decades of husband and wife teams hitting the road together. This displayed an opportunity for women that has become appealing due to their own experience, the experience of those who came before them coupled with equal pay, job security, and flexibility.
Another area that continues to need improvement is the financial burden one takes on to obtain their CDL. This includes the cost of a training course, written exam, road course test, physical and license. The cost is anywhere between $3,000 - $7,000 depending on the accredited institution you attend. It is recommended to avoid a training school that quotes higher than that amount and there are also deceptive offers such as high-interest loans or mortgage one's home in order to obtain the qualifications to become a driver. This area of necessary improvement is not gender-specific rather an overarching need in order to make the industry more accessible to all.
What’s next for the industry? The need for truck drivers is only increasing in the United States as the high demand for consumer goods skyrockets.
Some predict more than 175,000 driver shortages by 2026
. Experts in the industry will tell you that trucking companies are not focused on recruiting and retaining the next generation of truckers. In my opinion, the trucking industry needs to be revitalized as the appeal is not the same as it was in the 1970s-1980s. If the industry would focus on these types of efforts, there may be an even higher increase in women hired, further diversifying the industry. The bigger picture is that women are joining the trucking industry as it is entering this transformation period and if the focus can remain on what is working and what can be done better, the numbers will only rise.
