Patterson High School students Eli Santoyo and Noemi Bravo pose at Daimler Truck North America’s booth during the 2024 Accelerate! Conference & Expo
The truck driver shortage is driven by a significant lack of available commercial truck drivers in the United States, currently estimated to be around 80,000 drivers short according to the American Trucking Association (ATA). As a result there are not enough drivers to meet the demand for transporting freight across the country. This shortage is caused primarily by an aging workforce with many drivers nearing retirement age, coupled with a lack of younger people interested in entering the profession.
Enter Patterson High School. Part of the Patterson Unified School District in California, this high school is one of the first schools in the nation to address the growing commercial driver shortage by offering a truck driving program to its students and its community. This one-year class provides a balanced approach that incorporates the latest in simulation technology to meet the needs of the digital generation while also providing hands-on learning opportunities. Graduates of the program are prepared to apply for the Commercial Learner’s Permit and enroll in the Patterson Joint Unified School Districts Adult Education Program where they will obtain behind-the-wheel training. This organization is a member of the Wnbaz (WIT).
Past students Leilani and Cheyenne of Patterson High School’s trucking program. Jenifer West/Patterson Irrigator
Leveraging the Women In Trucking Experience
Six years ago the Patterson High School program enrolled its first female student, according to Dave Dein, High School Truck Driving Program Coordinator and Instructor for the organization. Her name was Leilani.
“I knew then that I needed additional resources to support her,” says Dein. “The first thing we did was to become a member of the Women in Trucking Association and this turned out to be the best decision we could have made. This year we were able to send two of our current students, Eli Santoyo and Noemi Bravo, along with a female chaperone to Women In Trucking’s Accelerate! Conference & Expo in Dallas, Texas. I knew this was going to be a transformational experiencefor both young ladies and I’m happy to let Eli and Noemi share how it directly impacted them.”
Perspectives from Eli Santoyo: “Learning From Others”
“My biggest take away from the conference was that networking and having a positive attitude will open the door to many job opportunities,” says Santoyo. “My favorite part of the conference was speaking with people from lots of career backgrounds at their booths. As I spent more and more time at the booths, I became more experienced in ‘sparking up’ meaningful conversations.”
The most significant conversations she had were with people who gave her incredible mentoring and advice about the workforce and the future of the industry, according to Santoyo.
“One of my favorite questions to ask was how they ended up in their career position,” she continues. “I felt this was an important question because it was a reminder that no young person truly has their future plans guaranteed. As a person who wants a successful future, it was very reassuring to hear their stories. Many came from other industries or the military and they fell in love with the transportation industry. Through relating to many of their hardships I fostered great network connections. I was offered some internship opportunities and was given an outstanding amount of business cards from companies interested in offering me a job.”
Santoyo says the Accelerate! Conference has been the most pivotal event she’s experienced this year: “I left feeling extremely inspired to pursue my dream of starting my own company in the transportation industry. I attended some sessions where I learned new knowledge about valuable skills such as leadership, conflict resolution, public speaking, and resilience. I am extremely thankful that this impactful experience has been given to me. My view on trucking has changed because I realized far more how important it is to our country. The industry is full of extraordinary individuals who have dedicated themselves to the innovation of our economy and everyday lives. Our world would be so different without our truck drivers, logistics staff, dispatchers, and more. At the conference, I saw new technology taking many forms such as the electric semi, hydrogen fuel cell trucks, applications for routes, etc. It sparked so much excitement in me knowing that soon enough I will be able to use these revolutionary innovations.”
“I believe more young women like myself should consider this industry because so far, a healthy impact in the industry,” concludes Santoyo. “From new creative technology, to a safer road experience for other drivers, the industry sure could use more gender diversity. Women are very capable of succeeding in every position in transportation. I hope to inspire other young women to look into and consider a career in trucking.”
Perspectives from Noemi Bravo: “A Variety of Career Opportunity”
“My biggest takeaway from the conference is that the trucking industry has many opportunities and careers that are different,” recalls Bravo. “For me this meant that I could try a variety of jobs whether it was human resources, insurance, equipment, marketing, sales, healthcare, driving, and much more. Speaking with many of the women and supporters gave me a better understanding of their impact in the industry and how ideas can be incorporated into the trucking industry. For me this was extremely impactful because I spoke to two pharmaceutical companies that work with trucking companies which allowed me to see how two of my interests can work together.”
Bravo says the conference impacted her in a positive way as she was able to see that many of the successful women in the industry started from different points in their life: “This was comforting in the sense that I don’t have to be sure of the future. Instead I need to trust myself and excel in any areas I find myself in. Additionally, the conference allowed me to see how positive and welcoming the trucking industry is which made me feel like I had a purpose. Listening to the speakers and their presentations taught me how to improve my public speaking and confidence. One of the best things I believe I learned when asking for a promotion was to work hard and ask for what you want. I believe that this can be applied to my career and any areas of my life. I’m very grateful for being able to experience the Women in Trucking Conference because it changed my confidence in my future and it transformed the way that I think about having a career in trucking.”
Bravo thinks more young women should consider this industry because there are many branches of work that are available and many more that are going to be made. She says this variety makes the industry interesting and engaging as there are many people with different missions and perspectives: “The trucking industry is a very welcoming community and the women encourage each other to succeed. Even though it is a male dominated industry, there are companies that are working to bring more women into the workplace. These companies prioritize safety, respect, and support to their employees which can make someone’s career experience great.”
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“I knew then that I needed additional resources to support her,” says Dein. “The first thing we did was to become a member of the Women in Trucking Association and this turned out to be the best decision we could have made. This year we were able to send two of our current students, Eli Santoyo and Noemi Bravo, along with a female chaperone to Women In Trucking’s Accelerate! Conference & Expo in Dallas, Texas. I knew this was going to be a transformational experience for both young ladies and I’m happy to let Eli and Noemi share how it directly impacted them.”
Bravo says the conference impacted her in a positive way as she was able to see that many of the successful women in the industry started from different points in their life: “This was comforting in the sense that I don’t have to be sure of the future. Instead I need to trust myself and excel in any areas I find myself in. Additionally, the conference allowed me to see how positive and welcoming the trucking industry is which made me feel like I had a purpose. Listening to the speakers and their presentations taught me how to improve my public speaking and confidence. One of the best things I believe I learned when asking for a promotion was to work hard and ask for what you want. I believe that this can be applied to my career and any areas of my life. I’m very grateful for being able to experience the Women in Trucking Conference because it changed my confidence in my future and it transformed the way that I think about having a career in trucking.”
