Volvo Trucks South Africa has donated a new FH440 truck-tractor unit to the Commercial Training Academy (CTA) for use in their women truck driver development programmes.
Since 2019, Volvo Trucks’ Iron Women programme has trained 556 women to become fully qualified truck drivers. The current intake consists of 14 women, who are part of a 12 month-long training programme that focuses on aspects like vehicle operation, load management, business principles and EyeGym for advanced brain, eye and hand coordination.
While transport contributes about 6,5% to employment creation in South Africa, women are severely underrepresented and make up only 22% of those employed in the sector.
“Women represent a largely untapped talent pool, and since the inception of Iron Women, we have seen that more and more fleets are now actively recruiting female drivers,” says Onica Ndlovu, Director Commercial Offer at Volvo Trucks South Africa. “Female truck drivers serve as 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.”
Studies and fleet operator feedback consistently show that female drivers tend to have fewer accidents, handle cargo more carefully, and demonstrate stronger communication with dispatch and clients.
“Women drivers have shown to be extremely resilient. They are not afraid to work hard, and often under tough conditions and long hours, to ultimately transport loads safely and efficiently,” says Ndlovu. “For women, truck driving represents a path to financial independence that bypasses traditional qualification barriers. It is clear that representation matters. For the trucking industry to thrive, especially in a market like South Africa where logistics infrastructure is critical, it simply can’t afford to ignore half the population.”
Nicci Scott, Founder and Director of CTA, has been a longtime proponent and advocate for more women truck drivers in the industry.
“We believe in creating social upliftment for talented women by closing the gap through quality training and practical experience,” says Scott. “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 that women drivers are exceptionally resilient. They do not just fill a seat, they bring a level of rigor and a commitment to excellence, that adds immediate and measurable value to a fleet’s bottom line.”
Scott says 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 does not help women or the industry to train on equipment that isn’t industry-spec,” comments Scott. “To meet the high expectations of modern employers, drivers need direct exposure to the sophisticated vehicles they will actually encounter in the workplace. Providing access to this level of technology allows our drivers to build the genuine confidence and technical mastery required to handle high-pressure logistics. This is how we ensure they hit the ground running as high-performing assets for any fleet.”
Scott states that truck driving is a “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 is not just about ‘freedom’, it is about mastering a complex machine and proving that they have the grit to thrive in one of the most demanding sectors of our economy.”
As a leading global truck manufacturer, Volvo Trucks have invested in cab ergonomics, adjustable seating, and safety features that make modern trucks far more accessible and comfortable for drivers of diverse body types, and basically removing some of the old physical barriers that prevented women from becoming truck drivers in the past.
The design strategy centres on placing all critical controls within easy reach of the driver, enhancing comfort and safety for long-haul operations.
“We are very proud to make a tangible contribution towards developing driver skills,” says Ndlovu. “We believe that this project will continue to affect change in the local transport industry, which will truly only benefit from more gender diversity.”
