Women in Trucking: Holding ground with Gemma Smithers

Over 26,000 drivers are needed to fill roles across the trucking industry, according to a recent NatRoad survey from Australia’s National Road Transport Association.  

This report also records some telling figures on why the shortfall is becoming more critical to address: the majority of the workforce is over the age of 55 (less than 7 per cent under the age of 25) and, out of existing truck drivers, only 6.5 per cent are women.  

The need for additional workers from all backgrounds, ages, and genders—especially women—has never been more apparent. 

Unlike many other women who have family working in the industry, Gemma Smithers from Canberra-based P&G Trucking didn’t grow up around trucks. She has spent over a decade growing her career and building connections within the community. 

Gemma talks us through her journey behind the wheel of her light-duty truck and what it takes to be the manager and owner of a modern freight company.  

Hi Gemma, thanks for speaking with us. What first drove you to pursue a job as a truck driver? 

I became a truck driver by sheer luck. Thirteen years ago, I ran into someone I knew who worked in freight and logistics, and they had a job opening for a light-duty driver.  

I jumped into the job and immediately enjoyed it. I felt confident and could physically do the work, and I was made to feel welcome. Holding my ground in this industry has been so rewarding, and I enjoy living and breathing trucks every day. 

I get to witness all different things growing and being built across Canberra and see how it all ties in together. Moving freight and making deliveries is all a part of that. 

How would you describe your role at P&G? 

I'm the manager and the Canberra light-duty truck driver for P & G Trucking. My husband Paul is the director and drives one of the prime movers for the business, which we opened in 2018. 

My job is a bit of an all-rounder one. I make sure the wheels keep turning for the business, help unload the big deliveries that come in on our prime movers and make last-mile deliveries in my Isuzu Traypack. The afternoons are for invoicing and paperwork, and the weekends are for cleaning our truck fleet. 

What are some of the perks of the job? 

The trucking industry is such a strong community with great support among the truck drivers for one another.  

It's so important to have other people know what you go through each week to get the job done. Plus, if you were stuck on the side of the road or in need of assistance, someone would always help you out; there's absolutely no doubt about it. 

We also really enjoy all the truck shows held in Australia; they bring us all together.   

What are your thoughts about the shortage of truck drivers in Australia? 

The trucking industry is vital to Australia and the lives we lead—it's like the slogan says: “Without trucks, Australia stops.” 

The industry is going in the right direction by encouraging more women to drive trucks, which is fantastic. But I think there needs to be more education for the younger generation so that young women and people are shown that it’s rewarding work. 

The general public doesn't really know a truck driver's reality, including the long hours they spend away from their families and what the job demands. It is important to raise awareness to make truck drivers feel more welcome.  

Where would you like your career to go in the future? 

Paul and I would like to see our business grow progressively and buy more trucks to build up our fleet. In the future, I want to move on to training for my heavy-vehicle licence.  

Managing the business, looking after clients, and doing deliveries doesn't leave much spare time for sitting for the licence test, so it might be a little way off! 

What advice do you have for those entering the industry or thinking about changing careers? 

Truck driving is 100 per cent a ‘doable’ career for women. The industry is not as male-dominated as it used to be. 

We have a small team at P & G Trucking, with only five of us, including Paul and me. I would love to see more women join us as we grow the business. If I could encourage just one girl to enter the industry and get her truck licence, that would be fantastic. 

Are you keen to read more stories from Australian women in trucking and transport? Check out this story here.