Logistics: it’s not for girls?
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Road transport is still a male-dominated world, so what can be done to persuade more women to make our industry a preferred career choice?
Words: Hayley Pink
THERE ARE fewer than 3,000 female LGV drivers on UK roads, according to Skills for Logistics (SfL), representing less than 1% of the 299,000 drivers working professionally in the road transport sector last year, while just 24% of the 1.55 million people working in logistics are female.
So where is the haulage industry going wrong? Furthermore, what can be done to attract more women to driving roles, especially given the predictions that there could be a shortfall of LGV drivers post-2014 and the Driver CPC deadline?
Elizabeth Waters, secretary at the Lady Truck Drivers UK organisation, says: “The main reason women are not encouraged to take up truck driving as a career is because they do not get the support they need.
“Many of these women pass their test then ind they can’t get a job because they have not got the experience – a catch-22 situation.” She adds that the hours involved in LGV driving, especially long-distance trunking, can also be problematic for females with young families to consider, as is the lack of decent, secure truckstop facilities for women.
Indeed, SfL’s research highlighted that only 5% of LGV driving jobs were part-time, compared with around 27% across all industries.
Despite the barriers, Waters, who gained her LGV licence at the age of 50, says she would deinitely recommend a driving job to women considering a lifetime career.
“I loved the open road, being your own boss, more or less. It was a great life, and I wish I had got my licence earlier. I miss the fact I was doing a professional job; proud to be a truck driver.” Waters is, however, concerned that women drivers may experience prejudice, which needs to be addressed. “There are a lot of companies who do not take on women drivers and, if they do, the women always have to prove they are as good as the male drivers.”
Traditional practice
Ross Moloney, director of intelligence and strategy at SfL, holds a different opinion: “I don’t think we are coming up against prejudice at all, just traditional practice.” He suggests that the very nature of how drivers are historically recruited into the industry, often via word-ofmouth, means the message is not reaching all sectors of society. So employers will need to address their recruitment practices.
“The majority of LGV drivers are older, white guys,” Moloney explains. SfL research shows that 45% of LGV drivers are males over 45, with those set to retire in the next ive years leaving a shortfall of 48,000 drivers .
“I don’t think it is because there is any prejudice in the sector: the employers we talk to say they will recruit anybody, irrespective of gender, or the colour of their skin. They just want to ensure someone has the right licence and qualiications.” SfL believes the answer lies in changing public perception of the sector and engaging with local communities to encourage new blood into the industry, and promoting logistics to historically untapped sections of society, such as ethnic minorities, women, ex-offenders and school leavers.
TNT Express UK MD Alistair Cochrane believes the way transport and logistics irms are perceived and promote themselves through advertising is key. At a recent roundtable event, he said: “When I look at how we show ourselves to the market and any potential individual we’d like to have working for us, it’s still the adverts we put out, the communication we put out, that don’t differentiate enough.” He explains that when he started the job three years ago and looked through a company apprenticeship brochure, there were no images of women.
TNT is about to launch an advertising campaign featuring women LGV drivers in their cabs, with the hope of attracting more females. That approach proved successful for TNT in Australia.
Mentoring programmes
Recruiting a diverse workforce is also a priority for Royal Mail. “We look to develop and support women in the business through mentoring programmes, development opportunities and networks,” says Phil Murphy, logistics operations director at Royal Mail Logistics. “We are particularly proud of our graduate programme, of which 70% of the 2012 intake are women, and our Logistics Foundation Degree, where 26% are women.” But while it seems there are irms out there taking positive strides, road transport still faces a hefty challenge when it comes to making logistics appeal to jobseekers, whether men or women.
Moloney adds: “We’re trying to convince people – come to our sector and you will end up with a decent career, not just a job. We are trying to show that if you come in as a warehouse operative, you might think it is a tough job with not great pay and unsociable hours, but it’s the irst step on the ladder.” ■
WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY: SUZANNE DELVE
Suzanne Delve, Isotrak champion, North West RDC, Royal Mail
What do you do?
My role is to assist drivers and management to complete their daily tasks and workloads, keep a tight control of vehicles, and all other aspects of keeping mail on the move. A key part of my job is Isotrak vehicle tracking.
How did you get into your current role? I previously operated a forklift truck unloading trailers. An opportunity for change arose in the transport office, and I decided to give it a go. What do you find most rewarding?
Making sure drivers get on the road and to their destinations on time and to plan, which is critical for Royal Mail’s business; reaching all the goals and targets we have been asked to achieve. Would you recommend a career in logistics for other women?
Yes, most definitely.
Why do you think so few women take up operational roles in logistics?
I think it’s seen as a very male-dominated world, and not seen to be very glamorous with it being a gritty environment.
What do you think the industry could do to encourage more females?
Put more focus on male-orientated careers at school and college, to encourage young women into logistics.
WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY: LAURIE BARTRAM
Laurie Bartram, agency driver at Simple Recruitment, currently driving for Fowler Welch. Winner of the Everywoman in Transport & Logistics 2012 Commercial Driver of the Year award. Why become an LGV driver?
I always wanted to do something different for a career. I was brought up around trucks [Laurie’s parents run Cambridgeshire-based haulage firm Bartram Express]. Even as a small girl I would go out in the lorries. What do you like and dislike most about the job? Mostly, it’s the freedom; you can drive, chill out. And you know you are doing something useful. The world wouldn’t cope without lorry drivers! However, it is a hard job and can be a struggle: you are up against drivers’ hours and the need to take breaks. Lay-bys can be full up and many of the facilities drivers have to use are appalling.
Why do you think there are not many women LGV drivers on the road?
Maybe because you never see many female role models as drivers, or the ones you do see tend to be older. I would like to encourage more younger people, male and female, into driving. People often comment when they see a young female driving, and I hope they are encouraged by this. Where next?
As long as I get to own and drive a Scania V8 one day, I will be happy! I love my job and want to be as successful as I can with it. You can make a decent living as a driver.