Studies and fleet operator feedback consistently show that female drivers tend to have fewer accidents, handle cargo more carefully, and communicate better with dispatch and clients. Now, Volvo Trucks South Africa is putting its weight behind expanding that pool of talent.
The company has donated a new FH440 truck-tractor unit to the Commercial Training Academy (CTA) for use in its women truck driver development programme.
Since 2019, Volvo’s Iron Women programme has trained 556 women to become fully qualified truck drivers. The current intake of 14 women is working through a 12-month course that covers vehicle operation, load management, business basics, and EyeGym – a tool to sharpen brain, eye and hand coordination.
While transport contributes roughly 6,5% to employment in South Africa, women remain severely underrepresented, making up only 22% of those employed in the sector.
Untapped
“Women represent a largely untapped talent pool, and since the start of Iron Women, we have seen more fleets actively recruiting female drivers,” says Onica Ndlovu, Director of Commercial Offer at Volvo Trucks South Africa.
“Female truck drivers become visible role models in communities where girls are still steered away from technical or physical careers. It shifts perceptions – for employers, communities, and the next generation of girls watching.”
Ndlovu added that women drivers have shown real resilience. “They are not afraid to work hard, often under tough conditions and long hours, to deliver loads safely and efficiently. For women, truck driving offers a path to financial independence that bypasses traditional qualification barriers. For the trucking industry to thrive, especially in a market like South Africa where logistics infrastructure is critical, it can’t afford to ignore half the population.”
Nicci Scott, founder and director of CTA, has long pushed for more women in the industry.
“We believe in creating social upliftment for talented women by closing the gap through quality training and practical experience,” Scott says. “But this is more than just a training initiative – it is a strategic talent pipeline. While some in the industry initially ticked a box or tentatively tested the waters, they have been met with an undeniable reality: women drivers are exceptionally resilient. They don’t just fill a seat. They bring rigour and a commitment to excellence that adds immediate, measurable value to a fleet’s bottom line.”
Fortitude
Scott said the best drivers combine technical precision with the mental fortitude required for a demanding logistics environment.
“The support from a company of Volvo Trucks’ calibre is vital because it doesn’t help women or the industry to train on equipment that isn’t industry-spec,” she added. “To meet the high expectations of modern employers, drivers need direct exposure to the sophisticated vehicles they will encounter in the workplace. Providing access to this technology allows our drivers to build genuine confidence and technical mastery for high-pressure logistics. That is how we ensure they hit the ground running as high-performing assets for any fleet.”
She described truck driving as “a high-stakes, skilled profession. We are moving past the narratives of 'male-dominated fields' and focusing on performance. This environment requires a willingness to operate under intense pressure and stressful conditions – traits our graduates possess in abundance. For these women, the road isn't just about freedom. It’s about mastering a complex machine and proving they have the grit to thrive in one of the most demanding sectors of our economy.”
Volvo Trucks has invested in cab ergonomics, adjustable seating, and safety features that make modern trucks more accessible and comfortable for drivers of different body types – helping remove some of the older physical barriers that once discouraged women from becoming drivers.
The design approach puts critical controls within easy reach of the driver, improving comfort and safety for long-haul operations.
“We are proud to make a tangible contribution to developing driver skills,” Ndlovu said. “We believe this project will continue to bring change to the local transport industry, which will truly benefit from more gender diversity.”
https://bit.ly/4cs4k6D
