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Professional driving, as an industry, was once extremely male-dominated. However, more recently, the industry has been pushing for higher diversity levels by enticing women into driving-related careers, especially in light of a recent driver shortage that has made it necessary for employers to reach out to a wider audience.

According to Logistics UK, a mere 1.2% of all UK professional drivers are females. So what exactly has historically put women off a career in this industry, and what can companies do to encourage more women to join their workforce?

Here, we will look at some of the possible reasons behind these trends, while also shedding light on the benefits that professional driving roles can offer for female workers. We will also explore the ways that Lanes Group - which relies on HGV driver/operators to carry out its essential work - are putting the effort into encouraging females to consider these roles.

Why Aren’t There More Women in Professional Driving Roles?

With nationwide driver shortages continuing to affect multiple industries, including the drainage sector, the pressing question is - why aren't there more females involved in this kind of work? Here, we will look at some of the reasons why driving has traditionally been a male-dominated field. 

Stereotypes

There is a common perception that operating an HGV requires significant physical strength, but this is not the case. Modern advancements in vehicle design, such as power steering, automatic gears and other smart features, have opened the door for a much wider candidate pool to apply for HGV operator roles.

Working Hours

Driving jobs tend to be associated with unsociable hours, but in truth this depends largely on the role. For a business such as Lanes, our driver/operators are able to take advantage of flexible shift patterns that can accommodate their personal requirements and work/life balance, rather than being bound to overly standardised working hours. Working at Lanes also means that you will be back home at the end of each day, without any need to work away.

Traditional Lack of Diversity

Since driving roles have been heavily dominated by males in the past, this can be very off-putting for women. However, companies are now taking a different approach to recruiting for such roles, and they are encouraging more women to join their force in various positions, including those that involve operating heavy vehicles. 

The Benefits of Driving Roles

There are many benefits of taking on driving roles, and we've listed some of the main advantages below. 

Job Security

Driving jobs are constantly available and always will be. This means there will always be jobs for those with experience in the industry. Now more than ever, drivers are in high demand, so if you're on the lookout for a career change, this may be a great option for you. With so many jobs available, there’s a very good chance that you will be selected, and there will always be work available. 

More Variety Than You Might Expect

Many professionals may think of these roles as exclusively focusing on driving all day, but this is not necessarily the case. Lanes’ driver/operator roles are a prime example of this, as staff in these positions will be fully involved in our day-to-day jetting and engineering work, operating heavy equipment and dealing with customers directly.

Flexibility

There is a lot of flexibility that comes with a driving career. The various shift patterns that are available means that you won’t be stuck in a 9-5 like many other jobs. This is a plus for people who prefer a bit of variety in their working hours.  

Pay and Perks 

Most driving jobs tend to pay very well, and many are now paying more due to high demand. Those who work in the field can earn an excellent living. The longer you work as a professional driver, the more opportunities you will have to earn more, advance your career and develop your skills over time. 

How Are Companies Encouraging More Female Drivers to Apply?

So how exactly are companies like Lanes working to encourage more female drivers to join their team? Below, we look at some of the steps that forward-thinking businesses are taking to ensure that men and women feel equally able to succeed in driving roles.

Proactively Advertise to Women

When recruiting for new positions, companies are making efforts to reach out directly to women in their job postings to get their attention. They are avoiding always showing male drivers in ads and are taking steps to be more inclusive of everyone. 

Explain Safety of the Job

Safety is a big priority when hiring women. Businesses that employ drivers are proactively ensuring the workplace is safe and are always looking for ways to protect all of their staff from harassment, regardless of gender.

Provide the Basics

Businesses are doing more to provide the basics for both men and women. This includes equal access to certain areas, such as lockers or restrooms. Storerooms stock female clothing sizes and other gear that women require. and companies engage with their female drivers to find out what would make them feel more comfortable on the job. 

Set an Example

Women are increasingly being promoted into leadership roles and are visible to all drivers. Female leaders are being prominently featured in newsletters, on the website and in company bulletins, and the most skilled female professionals are actively encouraged into leadership roles, where they can act as role models for the next generation of staff. 

Here at Lanes, we consistently encourage women to apply for these kinds of jobs. We offer a range of benefits designed to make our multidisciplinary driving roles accessible to people of all backgrounds and genders, including flexible shift options, training and personal development opportunities, long-term career development, optional healthcare support and a friendly work environment. 

We also employ experienced professional females for senior roles across the organisation. As a female, you will always feel understood and supported within any team. 

To find out more about women in the driving industry, read our Women in Utilities hub to find out more. If you are interested in pursuing a career in driving, explore Lanes' driver jobs today for a list of our available roles.