In Finland, women are underrepresented in the transport and logistics sector. Only one in ten transport entrepreneurs is female, which is similar to the proportion of female drivers in passengers transport. The number of women working in cargo transport is even lower: one in twenty-five truck drivers is female.

The overall objective of the NaisWay project is to reduce gender segregation in the transport and logistics sector in Finland. The project encourages women to choose professions in this sector, but also stimulates women already working in the sector to advance their careers.

NaisWay offers different training modules in the area of transport and logistics, which can be adjusted to individual needs. The programme includes, for example, further vocational qualifications for bus and truck drivers, and specialist qualifications for female transport entrepreneurs.

Individual empowerment is a distinguishing feature of the NaisWay project. At the eStation, a virtual meeting place on the internet, participants can share their experiences with each other, as well as receive support from their mentors and experts in the field of transport and logistics. When working in a male-dominated sector this so-called ‘sister support’ plays an important role in boosting women’s self-confidence.

The NaisWay project is coordinated by the Jalasjärvi Adult Education Centre (JAKK). JAKK is a multi-discipline learning centre, which provides education and training for adults in Finland. The centre offers services for people who want to explore new educational areas and develop their skills.

NaisWay cooperates on a national level with the Central Association of Women Entrepreneurs and Rahtarit ry, the Association for Professional Drivers. To promote the exchange of know-how and best practices on a European level, the NaisWay project is linked to the Italian SFIDE!!! project and the Czech ProEquality project.

The creation of the eStation is one of the main successes of Naisway. The eStation is the heart and soul of NaisWay. It has said to be a source of inspiration for all those involved in the project: the project workers, the trainees and everyone else who is interested in transport and logistics.

The most successful training programme so far has been the specialist vocational qualification for female entrepreneurs in the transport and logistics sector. Seventeen women started this training in 2006. They are now ready to take the final exam. They have their own e-learning platform which is functioning as a virtual classroom. The women and their trainer can meet each other in person at the monthly face-to-face training sessions. During these sessions the participants share their experiences, as well as discuss the training subjects and other topics that are of interest to entrepreneurs.

The project is partly financed by European Union under the Equal Initiative.

JAKK
Ms. Auli Toivonen (Project Manager), tel. +358 40 539 9377

01/11/2004

case

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Urban economy

Specific sectors, Business support