Although healthy truck driving inclusion has been commonly measured by gender diversity among CDL holders, a recent study indicates women are fast occupying a greater number of leadership roles.
The Women in Trucking (WIT) organization recently conducted a study that indicates 74.6 percent of freight transportation human resources positions are held by females. According to the WIT Index results, companies that responded to the recent poll noted that women hold between 50 and 89 percent of talent management jobs.
“Women are commonly considered to have a strong Emotional Intelligence (EI) score. And, in general, tend to possess the critical skills required for this discipline, such as multitasking, leadership, planning, communication, and human relations,” WIT president and CEO Jennifer Hedrick reportedly said.
The WIT Index is widely considered a reliable barometer used to measure annual gender inclusivity across trucking industry occupations. Polling engages upwards of 350 freight transportation operations in for-hire truckers, private fleets, freight rail, brokerages, manufacturers, and tech companies, among others.
In terms of corporate leadership, women have also increased their presence, according to the WIT Index. Sometimes referred to as “C-Suite” executives, female decision-makers exceeded 31 percent in 2023, and freight transportation board of director members rose to 28.4 percent. Those numbers reflect strong growth in an industry that was once considered inherently male-dominated.
“The presence of female leaders in transportation is critical because they bring a broader range of diverse thought, skill sets, and experiences to the workplace. Companies that boast a higher representation on their boards notably outperform organizations that do not,” Hedrick reportedly said. “Research has shown that companies with greater gender diversity, not just within their workforce but directly among senior leadership, are significantly more profitable than those without.”
It’s also important to note that women have taken on more safety and diesel mechanic jobs in recent years. Although sources differ, the current percentage of actively working female CDL holders runs as high as 15 percent. WIT, for example, pegged gender diversity at a 14-to-86 percent ratio in 2022. In 2000, data indicates that less than 4 percent of big rig drivers were women.
The number of women in HR and leadership roles also suggests that gender barriers may be in retreat. With a shift in who hires people in the trucking industry and makes decisions about promotions, gender-centric roadblocks — perceived or actual — may be less of a factor going forward. The hard data shows that women have increased their presence at every level of the trucking industry.
Sources:
https://ratings.freightwaves.com/women-in-trucking/
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