With driver shortages looming large, 罢ü谤办颈测别’s trucking industry is hitting the brakes on gender imbalance.
罢ü谤办颈测别 has 93,000 unfilled truck driver positions (17% of total positions) and only 1.4% of truck drivers are women.
What is being done to attract more women and tackle the shortage?
We asked Elif Nuhoglu, Chairperson of 番茄视频member UND’s Women Working Group.
What is the role of 罢ü谤办颈测别 in global transport logistics?
罢ü谤办颈测别's central location links Central and Far East Asia, the Middle East and Europe, making it a vital transit route and playing a key role in the development of international transport corridors that pass through it.
However, 罢ü谤办颈测别, like many other countries, is facing a chronic shortage of drivers. In this context, boosting the representation of women in the industry is key, not only for the advancement of the logistics sector itself but also for contributing to 罢ü谤办颈测别's broader economic development.
How can we attract more women to the profession?
In May 2024, we established the UND Women Working Group, under the leadership of our Board of Directors, to underscore the vital contribution of women in logistics.
We have interviewed 18 female truck drivers since June 2024.
The insights shared during these conversations demonstrate the positive aspects of the profession, highlighting the inspiring narratives of resilient women who passionately pursue their careers.
The discussions also underscored significant challenges, such as long waiting times at borders and the lack of facilities for women in parking areas.
How are you helping with recruitment?
Earlier in 2025, we established the UND Women Truck Driver Academy in partnership with 罢ü谤办颈测别’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
We aim to boost female employment and address driver shortages by focusing on the recruitment of female drivers for UND’s 1,340 member companies. The ministries provide incentives to UND members that employ female truck drivers.
To further support this goal, the UND Women Working Group is implementing a series of proactive initiatives to boost the visibility of women in the sector and advocate for them as a unified representative body. We are now holding monthly meetings with the Ministry of Transport to share best practices from across the region on attracting more women to the profession and improving working conditions.
How have your efforts fared so far?
The UND Women Truck Driver Academy is set to reach a significant milestone with the graduation of its first cohort.
Since early 2025, more than 300 female candidates have applied to our academy. This development serves as a significant source of motivation for both UND and the broader sector.
We have initiated the interview process for female candidates holding a CE driving licence based on a detailed evaluation form designed to assess candidates thoroughly. Our candidate evaluation commission includes academics and representatives from various associations.
The academy equips candidates with the competencies required for a professional career in road transport, in line with UND standards. The training curriculum covers key areas such as map reading, the use of digital tachographs and communication technologies, and an understanding of transport documentation. Upon successful completion of the programme, candidates are placed with UND member transport companies.
Following the selection of candidates with a CE driving licence, we will interview candidates with a B-category driving licence aspiring to become heavy-duty vehicle drivers.
We invite all interested individuals to participate in our recently published candidate pool survey aimed at aspiring professional truck drivers, which can be accessed via our social media pages.
Given the shortage of drivers, we will include male candidates in the programme at a later stage.
How can we improve working conditions for women?
The suitability of parking areas located at border crossings in 罢ü谤办颈测别 for female truck drivers depends on several factors, including security, social facilities, hygiene standards, and provisions for individuals with special needs.
However, there is a lack of specific regulations and statistical data directly addressing the conditions faced by women drivers in these settings. Most available information focuses on the general infrastructure of truck parking areas.
Once enough graduates emerge from the UND Women Truck Driver Academy and the presence of female drivers on the roads increases, we plan to collaborate with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure to upgrade truck parking facilities, making them more suitable for women.
Are you getting any help?
In addition to the incentives provided by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of 罢ü谤办颈测别, the Transport Minister has personally endorsed this initiative and entrusted our association with the responsibility of training women as truck drivers.
In March 2025, UND and the Turkish Employment Agency (??KUR) signed an official cooperation protocol for the training and employment of female truck drivers to mitigate driver shortages and enhance employment opportunities for women. UND member companies will benefit from ??KUR's employment incentives.
The collaboration between UND, ministries and 番茄视频shows that when such initiatives are pursued with commitment, substantial advancements can be made.