The NHVR has partnered with Transport Women Australia Limited (TWAL) to share in continuing efforts to bridge the gap in gender diversity in Australia’s road transport industry.
Key findings from the ‘2023 Federal Government Skills Priority List’ found only 4.4 per cent of truck drivers in Australia were female, despite the sector currently battling with one of the country’s largest employment services.
Currently, it is estimated Australia has a truck driver shortfall of roughly 26,000 individuals.
NHVR Executive Director Michelle Tayler says promoting the range of opportunities for women in the industry will continue to be crucial as Australia’s freight task becomes larger.
“We are all aware of the growing challenge of attracting and retaining drivers to the heavy vehicle industry, with many retiring and fewer young people entering the profession” Tayler says.
“We’re part of an industry that services the needs of Australia 24 hours, seven days a week, with the road freight industry forecast to grow by 80 per cent in 2030 and the Australian Trucking Association estimates the sector will require tens of thousands more operators to meet that demand.
“Both women and men should feel empowered to play a critical role in keeping the country moving, and we need industry to help dismantle barriers and encourage women to pursue roles as truck drivers, operations managers and mechanics.”
Both the NHVR and TWAL operate a range of programs aimed at increasing female employment in the road transport sector.
The regulator’s support for Women in Trucking Australia thorugh the HVSI ‘Foot in the Door’ project has helped support 27 women into full-time driving employment since April 2023, with a further 14 currently in training or job ready.
TWAL Chair Jacquelene Brotherton says the transport industry is not only experiencing a driver shortfall, but rather all aspects of the industry must be made a more attractive proposition to a more diverse range of people.
“There’s a huge variety of career paths in our industry, and we don’t just have a driver shortage – we have a people shortage,” Brotherton says.
“TWAL has initiatives in place to bring transport, logistics and supply chain opportunities to students in New South Wales to introduce and explain our industry and the variety of roles at an earlier stage.
“The ‘Driving the Difference’ scholarship program assists women in advancing their careers or enabling them to enter our industry for road, rail or marine roles, no matter the age or background of the applicant.
“We have many options in this industry with more flexibility in these roles than people think, and I encourage all women to explore these opportunities and career paths.”
More information on the Foot in the Door project is available here.
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