Tips for women to consider a career in transport

National logistics firm offers top tips for women considering a career in transport

With International Women’s Day around the corner, national warehousing, logistics and courier company The NX Group is keen to encourage more women to consider careers in the logistics and transport industry. From recent school-leavers or university graduates to those who are contemplating a career change, the transport sector offers a broad range of roles and progression opportunities for males and females alike.

As The NX Group continues to expand – it currently employs 79 full-time staff, 17 of whom are female – the firm is committed to raising the profile of the industry for women, with a view to attracting prospective employees who may previously not have considered logistics or transport as potential career paths.  

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Jo Lawlor, Team Leader and Account Manager at The NX Group, says: “There is a need for more women higher up in this industry.”

The company’s top three tips are as follows:

• Explore all available options.

Take time to look into the many roles and routes the industry has to offer – from driving to data management – and see which one appeals to you.

Jo Lawlor, Team Leader and Account Manager at The NX Group, says: “People think truck drivers are all men, and while this certainly isn’t the case, there aren’t as many female truck drivers as there could be.”

Helen Chick, who has held the position of Marketing Manager for The NX Group for almost two years, adds: “Since joining the Northamptonshire Logistics Forum I’ve grown more aware of how diverse the industry is in terms of gender. So many women in so many roles attend the Forum, from driving and finance to HR and marketing.”

Hayley Thomas, who joined the company a year ago as Warehouse Administrator, says: “It’s varied work and it’s also extremely rewarding. For instance, my role enables me to combine my two passions for logistics and computers.”

• Be yourself – the right person for the job.

The logistics and transport sector offers a great many opportunities for staff with the right skill set to thrive, climb the career ladder and realise their ambitions from the ground up.

“Liaising with the other departments within a company helps you understand how the business works as a whole, from the perspectives of male and female employees,” Helen explains. “In doing this, I’ve been able to establish my department and learn how best to market the business.”

Both Jo and Hayley agree that patience, multi-tasking, prioritising and learning to find prompt solutions to all problems are skills that are integral to their respective roles. Transferable skills such as these, if acquired in a different career, could prove invaluable in this sector.

• Just do it!

If in doubt, talking to people in the industry – both men and women – should answer any questions you’ve got about the sector and help you to take the plunge.

“Don’t be put off by stereotypes,” Hayley urges. “Times are changing and it is becoming increasingly acknowledged that warehousing and logistics workplaces are in fact gender-neutral, and that men and women can do the same jobs.”

“If you feel that you have a strong personality, are patient, assertive and can wear many hats and change them quickly, go for it,” Jo concludes.

For more information about The NX Group, visit www.thenxgroup.com. You can also follow the company on LinkedIn and on Twitter via @thenxgroup.