BSEC-URTA: Bridging the Gender Gap and Tackling Driver Shortage in Road Transport
BSEC-URTA held a pivotal online meeting of the Working Party on the Role of Women in Road Transport on March 16, 2026. Chaired by the newly appointed Chairperson, Ms. Elizabeta Ivanovska (BEST MOBILITY-NTA), the session focused on strategic solutions to the regional driver shortage and the promotion of gender diversity within the logistics sector.
A Regional Blueprint: The Women Driver Academy
A central highlight of the meeting was the presentation of Türkiye’s “UND Women Truck Driver Academy” as a best practice model for the BSEC region. Presented by Ms. Elif Nuhoğlu, EU and International Relations Unit Manager of UND, the Academy has been operational since December 8, 2025.
The Academy stands as a unique collaboration between the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and the Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR). Key features of the model include:
• Direct Employment: Graduates are integrated immediately into international transport companies.
• Specialized Curriculum: A 100-hour module developed with Istanbul University (İÜSEM), involving experts from academia, public authorities, and the private sector.
• Government Incentives: Financial support for companies employing female graduates to ensure long-term sustainability.
Infrastructure as a Catalyst for Change
The Working Party reached a consensus that training alone is insufficient without modernizing infrastructure. Members emphasized that upgrading truck parking facilities to EU standards is a social necessity to make the profession inclusive.
The discussions identified three critical pillars for infrastructure development:
- Safety & Security: Enhanced monitoring and secure environments to encourage female participation.
- Gender-Equitable Facilities: Ensuring high-standard sanitation, rest areas, and dedicated zones for all drivers.
- Regional Synergy: Encouraging BSEC member associations to replicate these standards through coordination with the BSEC-URTA International Secretariat.
Conclusion and Outlook
The meeting concluded that addressing the driver shortage requires a dual approach: comprehensive training initiatives combined with infrastructure modernization. The establishment of Women Driver Academies and the upgrading of parking facilities are now recognized as top priorities for the sustainable growth of road transport in the BSEC region.
The outcomes of this session will be formally shared with all member organizations to facilitate the implementation of these strategic goals across the region.
