Campaign launched to encourage more women to become HGV drivers

A campaign has been launched that aims to encourage more women to get into the haulage profession and become HGV drivers.

The HerGV campaign, launched by Midland Expressway Ltd – operator of the M6toll – in partnership with the Road Haulage Assocation (RHA) and Pertemps, will run until September. It seeks to highlight the benefits of a career as a driver, including flexible working hours and attractive salary.

As part of the campaign, one female winner will receive a prize package worth up to £3,000, which will include including HGV driver training, courtesy of Pertemps, and a work placement at a haulage company local to the M6toll road. Entrants are encouraged to post a short video to the campaign’s website (her-gv.co.uk) stating why it’s their ambition to pursue a career in the haulage industry. From there a panel of industry experts will shortlist a group of finalists who will be invited to a family fun day, where the winner will finally be selected.

James Hodson, director of motorway operations & facilities at the M6toll said: “We at the M6toll are only too aware of the current driver shortage being experienced within the haulage industry. Women are grossly underrepresented and the industry definitely needs to be more proactive when it comes to encouraging women into the profession. It is for this reason that we have launched the M6toll HerGV competition in partnership with the RHA – through our campaign we hope to highlight to women that there are lots of benefits to having a career as a HGV driver including, an attractive salary and flexible working hours. We hope that the HerGV campaign encourages women from all walks of life to apply for our competition.”

Motoring journalist, TV presenter, Le Mans driver and campaign ambassador Rebecca Jackson added: “I understand what it’s like for women embarking on a career in a male-dominated environment, through my own experiences as the owner of an automotive sales business and as a racing driver. Helping inspire women to consider driving as a career, whether it is in a lorry or any other form of transport, is something that is high on my agenda. I am proud to be an ambassador for women all over the UK looking to ‘take on the boys’ and demonstrate that women can also succeed in the haulage and transport industry.”

Image: (l-r) James Hodson, Rebecca Jackson, Rod McKenzie (director of marketing, public affairs and communications at RHA) and Kara Rouse (celebrity truck driver and campaign ambassador).

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