But aren’t HGV drivers usually men?
It is true that traditionally, HGV driving has been considered a male role, but with current and upcoming driver shortages – this can change for the better!
Read on to find out why more women should consider HGV driving!
According to recent statistics from the ONS Nomis census, there are around 6,400 female HGV drivers in the UK compared to 287,000 male HGV drivers.
But this doesn’t need to remain the case.
Just as nursing used to be considered a typically female career choice, the number of male nurses within the NHS has begun to climb – allowing men to pursue careers they love without the stigma of traditional gender roles.
The same can be said for female or LGBTQ+ HGV drivers.
Thanks to the current climate within the HGV world, now is the time for change.
The UK HGV driver shortage has been caused by a number of factors, including:
The cumulation of these factors has resulted in emergency measures being taken by HGV training centres across the country, aiming to attract the necessary 100,000 HGV drivers needed to step into the breach.
Although slowly improving, the HGV driver shortage is still described by Logistics UK as chronic – giving new or prospective HGV drivers an attractive career option to consider.
Especially female HGV drivers.
As part of the push to attract new HGV drivers and retain current ones, there have been many changes in the industry that now make HGV driving a very attractive proposition for new HGV drivers of any gender, such as:
Starting pay can be a bit of a bone of contention in some professions, with earners needing to work for a year or more on less attractive pay before they can move up the pay scale and earn big bucks.
HGV driving is different, with fresh-faced drivers accepting starting salaries upwards of £27,000 and rising to over £55,000 per annum over time.
This is especially true now, as driver shortages have increased the available pay for candidates – allowing them to cherry-pick the best jobs with the best benefits.
Safety regulations in the driving industry have changed to address burnout, making it a more attractive prospect for new or returning drivers.
The following protections keep you safe on the roads and allow you to keep your work-life balance in check – a win-win for everyone.
Drivers who start their career driving HGVs can consider other, driving-related careers if they feel they would like a change later.
Other driving roles include:
All of these careers require further training and testing to gain the certifications necessary to drive such vehicles, but can bring with them wide-ranging benefits, including increased pay!
Many HGV drivers are attracted to the role because of its increased independence.
Alongside the freedom to fit work around your home life and the option to choose the shifts you want to work, no two days are the same when HGV driving – and variety is the spice of life, after all!
These unparalleled positives about the driving industry mean more and more people are retraining to fit work around their lives and not the other way around!
These benefits, among others, make HGV training a bit of a no-brainer, especially for underrepresented female HGV drivers.
So, all that’s left to do now is find a reputable, reliable HGV training provider that can support you through your learning journey!
Some providers have multiple training centres across the country, meaning you can minimise commuting time and also pay the cost of your training back over years or months that follow, once you are earning.
Find your nearest HGV training centre today and you could be on the road to becoming a female HGV driver before you know it.
