ATA’s Women in Motion launches survey on non-driver career paths

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The American Trucking Associations’ Women in Motion Council is surveying the industry to collect best practices for the recruitment and retention of women in non-driving roles, according to a March 14 press release.

The confidential survey is open to both women and men and to all non-driving industry stakeholders through April 18. The questions focus on understanding industry career paths and improving retention in entry-level positions and beyond.

“The insights gathered will shed light on key issues, helping us drive meaningful change and create a stronger future for women,” said Sarah Rajtik, ATA COO and co-chair of WIM.

Three random survey participants will be selected to receive a free pair of AirPods, according to the release.

Efforts to grow women’s presence in trucking — from drivers to CEOs — has been a longtime challenge for the industry. Harassment, which is often underreported, and other issues present barriers to closing a persistent gender gap, which widened last year.

Women represented around 10.7% of student drivers and trainees in 2024 even though that percentage exceeded 15% in 2022, according to a 2024 survey from The National Transportation Institute.

For female truck drivers, issues include negative industry image and perception, unsatisfactory motor carrier company culture and inability to acclimate to the OTR driver lifestyle, according to 2024 report from the American Transportation Research Institute.

“And, while women participation in truck driving careers remains relatively low compared to men, ongoing initiatives and recognition programs highlight the growing contributions and achievements of women truck drivers while underscoring the integral role of women in shaping the future of transportation and trucking,” the ATRI report said.