According to some figures, there are currently about 315,000 HGV drivers in the UK. But only 2,200 of these drivers are female.
As the haulage sector grapples with an on-going driver shortage, many firms are looking for ways to attract more female drivers to the industry.
In this post we’ll explore some ways you might attract more female HGV drivers to your business. For more information about how we can help support your business, call our dedicated team on 0208 290 9099, or email CM@AnthonyJones.com.
HGV Driver Shortage in the UK
As we mentioned above, due to a number of factors, the UK haulage industry has been struggling with a driver shortage for some years now. At one point, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) was estimating a shortage of more than 100,000 qualified drivers in the UK.
Haulage firms have adopted a number of strategies to address this shortage, including schemes to encourage retired drivers to return to work. Yet as the majority of current drivers are aged 50-59, this strategy seems unsustainable: Most drivers will approach retirement age in the next few years anyway.
Benefits of Attracting More Female Drivers to the HGV Industry
Attracting more women to a sector where they are currently underrepresented is an obvious next step to help resolve the driver shortage, and one that growing numbers of HGV firms are actively pursuing.
There’s a potential extra benefit to hiring more female drivers. A recent study looked at 12 years of HGV inspection data. It found that, on the whole, female HGV drivers are more likely to follow road and vehicle regulations, and less likely to be involved in an accident.
How Can You Attract More Female Drivers To Join The HGV Industry?
Flexible Working
HGV work has a reputation for being inflexible and demanding, with long hours meaning that drivers often need to spend days away from home. This perception may be putting many women off from joining the industry.
Some haulage firms are looking to offer their drivers a lot more flexibility, to ensure they don’t have to spend too long on the road at any one time:
- Set Shift Patterns – Drivers can choose a shift pattern to suit their schedule, including evening-only and weekend-only shifts.
- Part-time opportunities – As well as some part-time roles, some firms are also offering job-share opportunities.
- Local or regional driving – Beyond set shifts and flexible working patterns, some firms are offering roles that only involve local or regional routes. These are ideal for any employee with care commitments and responsibilities, or for anyone who just wants a good work/life balance.
Cultural Changes
Some haulage firms are working towards creating a more welcoming and supportive company culture. Addressing workplace mental health and stress is good for all drivers. But certain cultural changes may also help firms attract and retain the next generation of female drivers:
- Flexible training – With female instructors, supportive learning environments, and flexibility in how and when the candidate can take the training.
- Inclusive workplaces – Including secure parking, comfortable uniforms, and safe and hygienic rest stops and breakrooms that consider the needs of female drivers.
- Safe and effective reporting culture – Every employee should feel that they can safely report any concerns they may have, and that the management will listen and respond accordingly. Read our full guide to creating a good driver communication strategy.
Marketing and Recruitment Campaigns to Reach Women
Having worked to create the conditions to attract female workers to the HGV industry, firms then need to find a way to communicate these initiatives.
Marketing and recruitment campaigns should aim to dispel the common misconceptions surrounding HGV work: The long hours, the tough working conditions, the hostile company culture, and so on.
Yet even with this in mind, many potential female candidates may still conclude that HGV work just isn’t for them. To counter this, firms could also look to spotlight some female role models in their workforce. Evri is pioneering listening groups and a mentoring scheme, where experienced female drivers will support new recruits to help them realise their potential in the industry.
Supporting The Next Generation of Female HGV Drivers
Steve Blackmore, Director at Anthony Jones says:
“If you’re struggling with driver shortages, then attracting more female drivers is a no-brainer.
“At Anthony Jones, our commercial vehicle experts can advise you on key risk management procedures that can help you attract and retain more female drivers to your firm. We can also show you how to evidence these procedures, which can help you make savings on the cost of your commercial vehicle insurance.”
For more information about how we can help support your business, call our dedicated team on 0208 290 9099, or email CM@AnthonyJones.com.
