Opinion

Let’s embrace diversity to help address the driver shortage

With truck driver shortages threatening the nation’s supply chain and economic stability, Women in Trucking Australia’s hope as the road transport sector moves into 2025, is that HR departments will continue to redefine their driver recruiting strategies to embrace and onboard female drivers in greater numbers.

Committing to grow-your-own driver strategies and annual trainee driver targets in preference to poaching existing drivers will also go a long way to ensuring a continual feed of new talent into the sector – while hopefully mitigating some losses as older drivers retire.

Training, advocacy, empowerment and networking are the four core strategies that will continue to underpin WiTA’s focus throughout 2025.

With gender diverse companies reporting increased productivity and profits, WiTA will continue its work encouraging the industry to recognise the strategic advantages that come with increased female heavy vehicle driver workforce participation.

The organisation will continue to licence and mentor Australian women into heavy vehicle driving careers through it’s highly acclaimed Commonwealth funded “Foot in the Door” program which is administered by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.  Graduates report the enormous benefits WiTA female driver mentor support brings as they navigate new work environments, workplace cultures and unfamiliar scenarios and places.

Disappointingly, across 2024, the numbers of women reaching out for support as victims of workplace bullying has increased significantly.  WiTA will continue its work ensuring female drivers are treated fairly and with respect – while advocating on their behalf for safe, supportive work conditions.

On a more positive note, in July 2024, WiTA hosted its inaugural TOOTS Awards on National Female Truckie’s Day in Adelaide, partnering with Camp Quality to raise much needed funds for children living with a cancer diagnosis.

The day was an overwhelmingly resounding success and provided female drivers with the rare opportunity to network and let their hair down.

With plans to move the awards around the country each year, we’re delighted to announce that National Female Truckie’s Day 2025 will fall on July 5 with the TOOT’s Awards locked into a gala evening event at the Adelaide Convention Centre – so ladies, please save the date!

  • Lyndal Denny is a truckie and the CEO of Women in Trucking Australia (WiTA). This story is part of our 2025 New Year Wish Lists feature, in the January 17 issue of Big Rigs.

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