Volvo Iron Women: New initiative to empower more female truckers

Move over Iron Man, Malaysia now has its own *Iron Women*! And no, they’re not flying around in high-tech suits. They’re doing something way cooler. These trailblazing women are smashing stereotypes and taking the wheel of heavy-duty trucks, thanks to Volvo Malaysia’s ‘Volvo Iron Women’ initiative.

This groundbreaking programme just saw its first batch of certified heavy-duty truck drivers graduate, proving that when it comes to driving Malaysia’s logistics sector forward, women are here to lead the charge.

The first batch of female truckers include mothers

Volvo Trucks has already seen the success of this initiative globally, and Malaysia is now leading the charge in Southeast Asia. The programme offers extensive training, covering everything from driving theory to practical skills and safety assessments. Graduates receive full certification to operate jointed heavy-duty vehicles (the large trucks commonly seen transporting containers on highways).

The first cohort of graduates includes women aged between 27 and 40, three of whom are mothers. These women, with varying levels of prior experience, are now employed by Taipanco Sdn Bhd, a logistics company that recognizes the value of female truck drivers.

The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development is actively supporting this initiative, providing guidance to help women navigate the male-dominated industry. The Ministry provides support systems, including resources to address gender bias and harassment, as well as a hotline for counselling.

Volvo aims to train 100 women by the end of 2025

Malaysia’s logistics industry is growing, with a high demand for skilled truck drivers. The initiative is designed to meet this demand while advancing gender representation in the workforce. Dato’ Nazari Akhbar, Executive Director of Taipanco, emphasised the economic benefits, noting that women often reinvest their earnings in their families and communities, amplifying the programme’s positive impact.

Volvo Malaysia aims to train 100 women through the Iron Women programme by the end of 2025. Training ranges from three days for those with some experience to eight weeks for beginners.

Globally, the Iron Women programme has already trained over 820 women since its start in 2016, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. With Malaysia now part of the action, the future of heavy-duty trucking is looking more female than ever.