KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It's a new day in the trucking industry. More women are in the driver's seat and more companies are rushing to hire female drivers.
Mark Byrd is President and CEO of New Reflections Technical Institute in Kansas City, Missouri. His school provides training for Class A and B Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDL). Byrd said women are in demand because they're safer drivers so insurance rates are lower for women.
"It's also about being more nurturing and taking care of the truck," said Byrd.
He also said women have a higher graduation rate.
"All of the women who have enrolled at New Reflections to get their CDL, have completed the course and had jobs waiting for them when they graduated and got their license from the state," he added.
Truck drivers with a CDL license can earn $40,000 to $50,000 in their first year.
Akia Lee has almost completed her training to get a Class A CDL. She knows that some people will be surprised to see a woman truck-driver and she's committed to being the best driver she can be.
"This is a dangerous job and safety is the very important. I'm looking forward to traveling and seeing the country and I'm also excited to see what that paycheck looks like," she said smiling.
Byrd said the trucking industry is great for women and men because it increases the tax base in the community and enables people to be able to buy cars and homes and clothing and provide for their children. He also said truck driving is changing the nation and reducing crime because people have a living wage.
New Reflections Technical Institute at 7546 Troost in Kansas City, is enrolling men and women for a new CDL class that begins on October 23rd. You can enroll online or call 816-361-5239.
