ATA’s Women in Motion Launches Survey on Non-Driver Career Paths

The American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) Women in Motion Council has launched a new industry survey aimed at gathering insights on recruitment and retention best practices for women in non-driving roles.

According to a March 14 press release, the confidential survey is open to both women and men and invites all non-driving industry stakeholders to participate until April 18. The survey focuses on career paths in trucking, with a particular emphasis on 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 Women in Motion (WIM).

As an incentive, three survey participants will be randomly selected to receive a free pair of AirPods, according to the release.

Challenges for Women in Trucking

Efforts to increase female representation in trucking, from drivers to executive roles, have long been a challenge due to harassment, industry culture, and lifestyle concerns. A 2024 survey by The National Transportation Institute revealed that while women made up 15% of student drivers in 2022, that number dropped to 10.7% in 2024.

A 2024 report from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) identified key obstacles for female truck drivers, including:

• Negative industry perception
• Unsatisfactory company culture
• Difficulties adapting to over-the-road (OTR) driving

“While women’s 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,” the ATRI report stated.

ATA’s Women in Motion initiative aims to address these challenges and create a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in trucking.

Participate in the Survey

The survey is open through April 18. For more details or to participate, visit the official source.