Stine is looking forward to putting her hands on her own steering wheel

Trust yourself. This advice comes from Kimmie Larsen from Vroue and Britta Buus from Stendis near Ryde to their future colleague, Stine Bro Sørensen from Thise.

Stine, 18 years old, will begin her truck driver training in January. She has secured an apprenticeship at Skive Fragt, where Kimmie is a driver, and Britta will finish her driver training in January. The three of them will make up about seven percent of Skive Fragt’s 40 drivers. This is approximately the national average when it comes to the gender distribution in the profession.

Co-owner of Skive Fragt, Henrik Jakobsen, with two of his current truck drivers: Britta Buus (front), Kimmie Larsen, and a future driver, Stine Bro Sørensen.

- Being a truck driver is not just about driving the vehicle and handling the cargo. You must constantly use yourself, and you have to allow yourself to learn who you are, says Britta, 53. Kimmie nods in agreement.

- Stay calm. Take the extra minutes you need. Many people know how things should be done, but it may not work for you, says Kimmie, 30.

Stine has made many trips in a truck with her father, who is a driver. She is currently a student at Uddannelsescenter Holstebro. In the fall, she spent two weeks doing an internship at Skive Fragt, which led to an apprenticeship. The full training takes three and a half years, including the basic program.

- Stine is a sweet and calm young woman. The people she worked with here are sure Stine can become a great truck driver. We've had success with the two female apprentices we've had. Plus, there’s a shortage of truck drivers. That likely plays a role in more women entering the profession, says Henrik Jakobsen, co-owner of Skive Fragt.

- So it’s not just our skills that matter, Henrik? asks Kimmie, and the four of them laugh. Kimmie Larsen has known Skive Fragt her whole life. Her father, Kristian Larsen, was a driver for Skive Fragt, and her brother, Kenneth, is a driver at Skive Fragt. Three years ago, Kimmie got her heavy truck license.

- I was in a situation where I had to make some changes in my life because my mother was sick with cancer, Kimmie shares.

Kimmie's mother passed away in 2022. At that time, Kimmie worked for a transport company in Ikast. The following year, she got the job at Skive Fragt. She drives at night. Kimmie enjoys the quiet of the night, and there aren't many cars on the roads when she drives her large articulated truck between Skive and various parts of the country, except for North Jutland.

Britta gained confidence

Britta Buus grew up in the countryside and developed a fascination with large vehicles, including trucks, early on. She has tried various jobs in her life. She worked as a garbage collector and spent six years at SuperBrugsen in Vinderup. Britta started "bothering" co-owner of Skive Fragt, Jesper Helt, about becoming an adult apprentice. Fortunately, Jesper agreed. Britta already had a truck driving license, and due to her previous experience, she could complete the training in two years.

- It required something of me to pull myself together to become a truck driver. It probably had to do with self-confidence. I was told that it was cool I started the training. You probably wouldn't say that to a man. I don't think I'm cool. I went after what I wanted to do, says Britta.

Women in a profession that has historically been male-dominated will likely never be free from stupid remarks, according to Kimmie.

- But those who make those comments probably use them towards male colleagues as well. Some might feel that women in our profession get preferential treatment. The best thing is to ignore them.

Britta drives the city truck in Skive. She once experiences a man on the sidewalk who demonstratively stepped all the way up to the house wall when he saw a woman parking her truck. Britta just smiled to herself - she trusted herself and had the truck under control.

Kimmie Larsen is seen here with an electric pallet jack.

- When I was new, I experienced some drivers watching to see if I could back the trailer in. It was a good thing I got it right on the first try, Kimmie says.

She trusted herself - she knew she could back the large articulated truck in, and smiled to herself when she did what she's good at.

- Especially when I was new, many would ask if I needed help, says Britta Buus.

- Sometimes they ask a bit too much, I think, Kimmie comments.

- Yes, I usually say I'll ask if I need help, says Britta.

A smile always helps

A smile remains the shortest distance between people.

Kimmie and Britta find that truck drivers are good at helping each other, regardless of gender. Many truck drivers have never worked with other than men. This likely draws extra attention when they encounter a woman behind the wheel of a truck.

- They’ll size us up to see if they can trust us. It’s about trust, and it doesn’t matter whether you're a man or a woman, Kimmie says.

Henrik Jakobsen has been a co-owner of Skive Fragt for five years. During this period, Skive Fragt has had two female truck drivers as apprentices.

Women in a male-dominated field does make a difference.

- In Ikast, the trucking company aimed to get more women among the drivers. I was there for two years, and I noticed how the tone changed over the years. But we women could also speak up for ourselves - we wouldn’t let anyone push us around, Kimmie says.

Henrik recognizes this:

- Female drivers positively affect the work environment. The men talk and behave a bit nicer when they have women among their colleagues. When Kimmie drives at night, she has to rest in her own company. If she’s going to Tåstrup and back, that’s two times 4.5 hours in the truck.

- You can do a lot to broaden your world. For example, I’m interested in history and like to listen to podcasts about it. I also listen to audiobooks, Kimmie says.

She lives on a rural property where she has two Irish Cob horses and a dog.

Gospel and horses

Britta spends her free time singing in a gospel choir at Nørrelandskirken in Holstebro, and she and her husband enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren.

- I particularly enjoy the customer contact I get through my work. And Skive Fragt is a great workplace that takes good care of its employees.

- Yes, we are accepted for who we are, and we know we always have our colleagues’ support, adds Kimmie.

For her and Britta, there are few downsides to being a truck driver. One of them might be that they see a lot from their cabs, high above the roads. From here, they witness other drivers’ bad habits, such as talking on a handheld phone, leading to swerving.

- It’s probably good for some drivers that we don't double as police officers, Kimmie jokes.

Stine listens and smiles.

- When I hear Kimmie and Britta talk about their work, it just gives me even more motivation to become a truck driver, says Stine.

This article is republished with permission from Skive Folkeblad, which originally published it on December 4, 2024.
Text and photos by Jens Kristensen, Skive Folkeblad.