Federal legislation aims to boost recruitment of women into industry
Arlington Virginia -- American Trucking Associations is praising today’s introduction of the bipartisan Promoting Women in Trucking Workforce Act, sponsored by Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-WI-08) and Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) in the House and Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Jon Tester (D-MT) in the Senate.
The bills would, among other things, establish a “Women of Trucking Advisory Board” to better identify barriers to entry for women in the trucking industry. The board would be responsible for coordinating formal education and training programs, establishing mentorship opportunities for women in the industry and enhancing outreach initiatives that are exclusive to women.
ATA provided these letters in support of the legislation, citing the growing and rewarding career opportunities to be found in trucking as demand for drivers continues to intensify in the years to come:
“With a median salary of $54,585, health and retirement benefits, and potentially thousands of dollars in signing bonuses, trucking provides a stable, good-paying career to Americans. Empowering women to thrive in an industry that provides significant compensation and benefits packages achieves the twin aims of improving gender parity and tackling the growing truck driver shortage.”