Recruiting women in the trucking industry is not an easy task, however more and more trucking companies are focusing on hiring women to join their workforce. According to Ellen Voie, CEO of Women in Trucking, “Best practices show that more women in leadership roles in a trucking company will result in more women as drivers, technicians and in lower-level jobs, because diversity of thought leads to a more diverse workforce.”
This theory holds true for the Canadian company, Skelton Trucking. With nine female managers, Skelton Trucking has 30.6% of female drivers. Skelton Trucking goes out of their way to make sure women feel comfortable working for them. According to Trucknews.com, “Skelton focuses on facilities, ensuring they are clean and well equipped with women’s washrooms, a full kitchen and laundry services. It also offers a company-branded women’s clothing line.” Jessica Kapasky, recruitment manager for Skelton Trucking, says the company also focuses on being structured for women. Having a security manager on duty 24/7 for any inconveniences their drivers may face while being out on the road.
Trucknews.com listed other strategies that have been successful at hiring females in the trucking industry for other companies which include:
-Offering training on violence in the workplace and human trafficking
– Allowing women to have ride along with spouses
– Adding a panic button or other safety devices to the cabs of trucks
– Offering special recruitment programs designed for women that include female trainers
-Using social media and advertising to showcase women in the workforce
Skelton Trucking believes recruitment is easy with the more perks you have for women. And with a wait list of around 20 drivers in Canada, it goes to show they are doing something right.
