THE transport sector is now more likely to employ females as a skills shortage is forcing firms to consider a wider range of job applicants.

Barriers are coming down, according to David Doolan, managing director of Xclusive Recruitment.

He says the changing nature of tasks and roles means females are now being considered for more transport roles than ever before.

Doolan said: ‘The career prospects for women in transport are becoming more tangible.

‘Our responsibility as an industry is to increase the awareness of these opportunities.

‘We cannot afford to neglect to attract 50% of our future employees. As the industry becomes more technology-driven and systems-led, there are very few jobs that women cannot do.’

He said there have been an increasing number of clients at Xclusive who are requesting the right person with the skill and culture set, irrespective of gender.

Doolan added: ‘Even the less progressive companies are recognising the need to adapt and move with the times.

‘In the next year or two, I can’t see any reason why, with the right skill sets, any job can’t be done by anyone.’