One fifth of Czech women polled could imagine themselves as truck drivers – they are attracted by good earnings and travelling

In spring, C.S.CARGO, in collaboration with Empirica, conducted a survey of ‘women’s motivation to become professional drivers’. The survey polled women drivers driving for C.S.CARGO and women looking for work who meet the qualifications for working as a professional driver. The survey shows that three quarters of women drivers would not change their chosen career. Almost one in five job candidates could see themselves as professional driver.

According to the survey, in which Empirica polled also C.S. CARGO women drivers, the majority (53%) has been driving for C.S.CARGO longer than five years. On average they are over forty years old, educated to secondary level and have grown up children. 

Wants to see Europe and likes to drive, so that hours behind the wheel are not an issue, were the motifs most frequently mentioned by respondents, together with earning more than in their previous job. Women drivers also appreciate the fact that they earn the same as their male colleagues for the same work. “I like the fact that we have equal pay, regardless of whether you are a man or woman,” says one C.S.CARGO woman driver who was polled.

Three quarters of the professional drivers polled would not consider switching careers, despite there being also downsides to the work: time away from family was mentioned most often; some women drivers deal with this by working in tandem with their partner.

“We know that women find it difficult to combine work and family. We appreciate that they chose to drive for us, so we try to be as accommodating to their situation as we can,” says Aziz Jahić, Marketing Director at C.S.CARGO.

Among job candidates, close to one fifth (17%) could see themselves working as truck drivers; more than a half of respondents (56%) considered a career change in the last year.

“The survey also shows that women who have no children and are aged 25-35 years, currently working in retail and in the service sector, and are not satisfied with their low pay and interpersonal relationships in the workplace, are the most likely to consider the option of professional driver. Burnout was also frequently given as a reason,” comments Aziz Jahić on the survey conclusions.

Just like women drivers, women who are considered as potentials for the job also like to drive. One third would like to try driving and think that they could be good at it. The majority (70%), however, is concerned that their choice of career would not go down well with their family.