The deadline for the 2022 Amazon everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards, launched to inspire more women to progress careers in the industry, has been extended for two weeks until 21st February 2022.
Now in their 15th year, the awards celebrate the vital contribution women make to transport and logistics showcasing progression, accomplishments and increasing avenues of opportunity within a traditionally male-dominated industry
The COVID-19 crisis threw transport and logistics into the spotlight as never before, with those working in the sector hailed as key worker heroes for keeping supermarkets and essential suppliers stocked, and we are now seeing new challenges around international travel. The transport and logistics industry has been simultaneously subjected to unprecedented demand in some areas and to an overnight drought in others, while also having to adapt to social distancing, safeguarding, and preserving public health.
The impact of this pressure has seen an increase in women entering the industry for the first time, with the number of female delivery drivers increasing as much as 104% last year. British Trucking also reported that although Transport management is certainly male-dominated, women are starting to catch up with 23% of transport management roles within the trucking sector being taken by women. However, there is much more to be done.
In response to the UK’s HGV Driver shortage, Jo Field, President of Women in Transport commented: “While the measures recently announced by Government are welcome, a solution that isn’t being talked about is attracting more women into the freight industry to fill the current shortage. The latest figures from Logistics UK show that less than 1% of HGV drivers are women. This makes it one of the most male dominated professions in existence.”
Part of the solution to the lack of female recruits is to showcase role models to women and girls who may not see the Transport and Logistics industry as an option for them, whether it is physical distribution or women in leadership and management positions. Through the Amazon everywoman in Transport and Logistics Awards they hope to do just that; celebrating the women keeping the country moving.
There will be two winners per category (Leader and Above and Beyond) as well as one recipient of the Industry Champion, Male Agent of Change, Apprentice of the Year and Woman of the Year Award. In recognition of the significant role technology has played in transforming the sector, particularly during the pandemic, 2022 will see the continued “Tech Innovation Award” that was established last year.
Maxine Benson MBE, co-founder of everywoman, comments: “It’s been another extraordinary year for transport and logistics, with a continued need for adaptation and innovation at every level and across growing areas of the industry. Now more than ever, it is important that we identify and celebrate the women whose resilience, skills, and leadership are making transport and logistics the dynamic industry that it is and have kept the country moving in persistently difficult times. We look forward to shining a spotlight on some of the most exceptional women whose achievements will motivate others to consider a career in a male-dominated industry, paving the way for future generations of ground-breaking women to succeed.”
The 2022 award categories are as follows:
• The Customer / Passenger Award – awarded to two winners whose commitment to the highest standards of customer or passenger service led to outstanding business results
• The Freight Award – awarded to two winners exemplifying the excellence, drive and innovation of women across the freight subsector.
• The Infrastructure Award – awarded to two winders exemplifying excellence, drive and innovation of women across the infrastructure subsector.
• The Supply Chain Award – awarded to two winners exemplifying excellence, drive and innovation of women in the supply chain system.
• The Warehousing Award – awarded to the two winners exemplifying the excellence, drive and women of women across the warehousing subsector.
• The Industry Champion Award – awarded to a female pioneer whose longstanding and continuous support of women in transport and logistics has led to impactful and measurable change.
• The International Inspiration Award – awarded to an exceptional role model working outside of the UK & Ireland who services as an inspiration for the men and men in their industry.
• The Apprentice Award – awarded to an enterprising male or female apprentice who is making an exceptional contribution to their organisation in their early career in transport or logistics.
• The Male Agent of Change Award – awarded to a role model who is actively committed to encouraging, advancing, sponsoring, or championing the progress of women in transport and logistics in his organisation and beyond.
• The Tech innovator Award – awarded to a woman designing, developing, researching, implementing or being exceptionally creative with technology within the Transport and Logistics Industry.
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 30th June 2022 in London. For further information, please visit here.