FEMALE drivers working for a logistics firm headquartered in Crick are today (International Women’s Day, Tuesday March 8) being encouraged to attend its second UK Women Drivers Forum later this month.
XPO Logistics is urging all women drivers in its UK and Ireland operations to attend the event, which supports the theme of International Woman’s Day – gender equality for a sustainable tomorrow.
XPO said it held the first forum last year to increase dialogue with women drivers about their work in a male-oriented industry, celebrate successes, and give voice to the challenges they may face on a day-to-day basis. The company says this year’s forum will expand on those conversations and explore the best ways to attract and retain more women to driving jobs.
Louise Medley, a driver trainer for XPO since 2014, plans to participate after attending the forum last year.
She said: “I can sit down with a group of women whose ups and downs of driving are similar to my own, and talk through the best solutions.
“It is valuable to meet with my colleagues face-to-face. And our UK and Ireland leaders are there to listen to us and act on our feedback.”
The company’s managing director for the UK and Ireland Dan Myers said: “There is genuine value to bringing together women who have shared their experience of being a professional HGV driver. We want to know what works well and what we can improve to increase our driver team’s diversity.
“The insights shared by women drivers will shape our investments, recruitment and training approach for all drivers and help ensure that more women advance in careers behind the wheel.”
XPO Logistics’ UK Women Drivers Forum takes place at its national distribution centre in Crick on March 22.
