Many industry news sources and analysts have been citing the growing shortage of truck drivers across the country. Fleets cite a decreasing talent pool. Drivers say fleets do not offer incentives and cannot retain drivers. Others are simply looking elsewhere out of fear of automated trucks pushing human drivers out of the industry completely. However, in Kansas City, MO one group is training women truckers for careers in commercial hauling to bridge the gap.

The New Reflections Technical Institute Is Training Women Truckers

The New Reflections Technical Institute in Kansas City, MO offers training for both Class A and B Commercial Drivers Licenses. The institute has made a statement that future women truckers are enrolling at a very high rate. They want to make a career out of hauling, and learn how to care for, repair, and maintain their vehicles. Women truckers who graduate from the New Reflections Technical Institute already have jobs waiting for them, upon completion of their training. It should also be noted that while the institute is open to everyone, statistically, women truckers are graduating in higher numbers and with better grades.

Women Truckers Are Closing Gaps

The influx of women truckers are being seen as the solution to the job gap in the trucking industry. Currently, there are well over a thousand openings for qualified drivers. Fleets are starting to add incentives to draw in new drivers, such as bonuses and other benefits. Women are filling that gap, launching their careers as truck drivers with salaries starting between $40,000 and $50,000. Eager and willing to get out on the road, women are becoming accomplished drivers, which is also closing the gender gap within the trucking industry, as well. Additionally, since the trucking industry is seeing drivers for their abilities over gender, along with the growing need for more drivers on the road, the wage gap experienced in other markets is disappearing among truckers with so many women graduating with CDLs.

Improving Communities

With fully qualified and licensed women truckers on the road, they will be earning money that far exceeds what they would earn by taking jobs in their immediate locations. The increased earning power means they will be able to provide for their children, and achieve personal goals through their new salaries and careers.

Perhaps the future of the freight industry isn’t in robots and self-driving vehicles, but with women truckers.