Women projected to make up major chunk of new truck drivers

The commercial trucking industry is a great industry for drivers of any background, age or gender. In fact, many women truck drivers (and minorities) are finding that commercial trucking offers a better chance for advancement, job stability and great pay than many other professions or industries. In fact, of the over 400,000 truck drivers estimated to be hired in the coming years over 10 percent are expected to be women.

The National Association for Minority Truckers announced earlier this year that it will spend the next year – which it is calling The Year of the Trucker – holding rallies and convoys in various cities and regions to draw attention to the value commercial trucking adds to America’s economy. In a release, the National Association for Minority Truckers said the “campaign is an effort to bring national awareness to the importance of Americas’ trucking community and the role they play in the lives of all Americans. Many of Americas truck drivers often feel as they’re profession is overlooked and not appreciated by their fellow citizens.”

The NAMT will also hold its third annual convention and trucking expo in October in Memphis and will feature educational seminars, guest speakers and a trucker forum.

The Women in Trucking association is also looking to increase the number of women who enter the commercial trucking profession. Last year over 200 female professional truck drivers were honored at a “Salute to the Women Behind the Wheel” ceremony that was held in Kentucky and brought attention to some of the best women truck drivers in the nation. Rochelle Bartholomew, CEO of Cal-Ark Trucking, was also announced as the first recipient of the “Influential Woman of the Year” award.

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