Everything is Temporary: Tula, Hgo.
A new generation of operators has graduated from the Conductoras Scania program.
In its fourth edition, a total of 10 women received training to become professional freight vehicle operators.
After six weeks of preparation at the Training Institute for the Work of the State of Hidalgo (ICATHI), the candidates developed the necessary skills to perform effectively and safely in a profession that is gradually being seen as less exclusive to men.
During the graduation, Alejandro Mondragón, CEO and General Manager of Scania Mexico, commented that Conductoras Scania is not only an educational program aimed at addressing the driver shortage but also seeks to empower women with the skills and confidence needed to skillfully and safely manage not only the vehicles but also their life plans.
“With this program, Scania Mexico reaffirms its commitment to inclusion in the freight transport sector,” the executive added.
As with the three previous generations, this one also benefited from strategic allies who supported the training of the new operators in various ways.
Alejandro Salas, President and Board Member of Transcooler, stated that Scania’s initiative contributes to the efforts to reduce the driver shortage plaguing the sector in the country, estimated at just under 60,000 jobs.
He also emphasized that today the gender gap in freight transport is narrowing, which is positive not only for the industry but for society in general.
“From day one, I loved the idea of Transcooler joining this initiative. It’s satisfying to see the industry changing and becoming more equitable because I believe we can achieve many positive changes. While we know it’s not an easy industry and involves many challenges, it’s not impossible. As a company, we have a social responsibility to join the change, transform perspectives, and encourage women who truly want and can join the industry as operators,” commented Fabiola Salas, Human Resources Director of Grupo Transcooler, in an interview with T21.
Likewise, Flavio Rivera, General Manager of Transportes Innovativos, agreed that Conductoras Scania is gradually shifting the balance toward reducing the driver shortage, thanks to women willing to face the challenges of being operators in Mexico.
At the same time, Mariana García, Training and Development Manager at Promotora Ambiental, emphasized that the company is committed to the program and its potential to transform the industry. Notably, Promotora Ambiental has supported the Conductoras Scania project three times.
Noé Paredes, General Manager of Corporativo UNNE, stated that the new generation of female operators is a turning point for continuing the path towards equal opportunities in freight transport for driving talent. He emphasized that the training of new operators is a shared responsibility between the government, private sector, and society.
“We want Hidalgo to be the national benchmark for a project that not only promotes female operators but also male operators, and that we become generators of well-paid employment,” said Paredes.
In an interview with T21, Armando Reyes, Human Resources Director at Corporativo UNNE, affirmed that the company’s collaboration with the operator training program contributes not only to the development of talent for heavy vehicle operation but also serves as a social responsibility project with Hidalgo.
“Indeed, there is an issue with the shortage of operators in Mexico, but there is also a large sector willing to take on the profession: women,” said Reyes.
Grupo UNNE also acted as a recruiter for the 10 candidates. To select the most suitable, they looked for profiles that could guarantee not only participation in the program but also genuine success in their work. “We are not just talking about earning a diploma; we are pushing a profession forward,” he said.
As a crucial part of the success of Conductoras Scania, the Association of Female Freight Vehicle Operators (AMO) has focused on spreading the message of inclusion and encouraging female operators, who today are seen as a unique workforce that will help not only reduce the talent shortage but also bring continuous improvement to transport companies.
“We started AMO three years ago with 21 operators, and today we have more than 200 members. Over this time, we have created a training project for female operators, but it doesn’t stop there. The idea is to connect them with transport companies so they can practice their profession. At AMO, we are pleased to see that more and more companies are gradually opening their doors to women as operators,” detailed Paola Moncada, president and co-founder of AMO, in an interview.
Balance of Conductoras Scania
Three years after its launch and with four generations of Conductoras Scania graduates, the program has trained over 40 female operators who have successfully joined the workforce of freight transport companies.
In a survey conducted by Scania focused on the first two generations, it was found that to date, 80% are employed in the transport sector as operators.
Rodolfo Hernández, Head of Institutional Relations and Sustainability at Scania Mexico, told T21 that 30% of the operators had no income prior to the program, and among all participants, they observed a 60% increase in their income.
“The average age is 38 years, and generally, they are heads of families. So, we are looking at a profile where this is a job option for mature women who see this as a real opportunity to support their families,” explained Hernández.
