M6Toll’s HerGV campaign winner announced
Midland Expressway Ltd, the operators of the M6toll have announced the winner of their campaign to encourage women to join the haulage industry. The finals of the HerGV campaign took place at Drayton Manor Hotel & Park.
Emma Walker, from Stockton-on-Tees, the winner of the competition will receive a prize package worth up to £3,000, including HGV training from industry leaders, Pertemps Driver Training, and guidance from some of the most influential women within the HGV industry. P D Portcentrics Logistics, based in Billingham, have also offered the winner a work placement upon completion of her training.
According to a study by the RHA, partners in the HerGV campaign, only 1% of HGV drivers within the UK are women, and the 8% of women in other roles within the industry is a poor representation. Government statistics also show that by 2022, the HGV industry needs to recruit 1.2 million more people.
Samantha Earl, general manager at Pertemps Driver Training said: “We want to congratulate the winner of the HerGV competition; Emma Walker, and look forward to Emma attending our award winning Pertemps Driving Academy where she will meet our Instructors and undertake training to obtain her HGV qualifications.
“Pertemps has always been pro-active in offering training to individuals looking for a route into the industry, and is proud to be at the forefront of training the next generation of drivers. We are sure that when qualified, Emma will be a great role model to other females considering a career as a professional HGV driver.”
The RHA, alongside the M6toll and training providers Pertemps believe that recruiting more women could support their objective to improve the industry gender imbalance and increase the number of HGV drivers to help meet demand. M6toll, and their partners for the campaign, hope that their efforts have empowered women to take the reins and begin to change the HGV industry, and that Emma Walker will be the first of a surge of women taking to the role.
Emma Walker, winner of M6toll’s HerGV campaign said: “I’m thrilled to have won the HerGV competition! I am really excited to get started with the training, and am looking forward to seeing where this new opportunity will take me. From a female point of view, I’d urge every woman I know to take the steps to enter the HGV industry too.”
The HerGV campaign has centred on their competition to encourage ladies to train as HGV drivers, and ambassadors behind the campaign, motoring journalist Rebecca Jackson and social media influencer come HGV driver Kara Rouse, are keen to demonstrate that a career in transport and driving is a flexible and rewarding choice. Both ambassadors attended the launch event to explain to visitors the benefits of their career paths, and discuss the myths and challenges of working in a predominantly male orientated industry.
Maxine Estevez, executive assistant at M6toll said: “The HerGV campaign has been a huge success, and we were delighted by the women who put themselves forward for the competition. We hope that our HerGV campaign will have empowered women to take the reins and begin to change the HGV industry, and look forward to seeing where Emma’s journey takes her.”
The shortlisted finalists were: Gemma Adams from Wallasey Naomi Carr from Ashbourne, Suzanne Chisnall from Preston and Emma Walker. The finalists and their families were invited along to a family fun day at Drayton Manor Park, where the winner was announced. M6toll, and campaign partners Pertemps, will be following and aiding winner Emma Walker along her training journey, which they are hoping to share across their social media channels to further inspire women into what is, perhaps, one of the most male dominated job roles in the UK.
