A smartphone app under development at Wodonga TAFE is aiming to bridge the gender gap in the freight and logistics industry.
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Being a male dominated field, women within the freight industry have expressed a desire for greater support.
Women have reported being subjected to bullying and intimidation from male colleagues, which is what spurred Wodonga TAFE to begin development.
The Oz Truck App will allow all drivers access to a multitude of support resources as well information and learning modules surrounding safety protocols.
It will also provide emergency support during breakdowns and crashes and has an online forum which would allow for peer-to-peer support.
Leonie Scanlon, who is the safety and compliance manager for Albury's O'Brien Transport, is spearheading the testing of the app within the company.
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Ms Scanlon sees the app not only as a great resource for female workers, but also as a gateway for attracting young people into the industry.
"Obviously phone apps are the go these days and younger drivers relate a lot better to the applications than the hard copy pages," she said.
"By having it on their phone there's always something they can learn and they can easily find support."
Ms Scanlon said the industry is facing a shortage of drivers and any efforts that might help attract new blood will be welcomed with open arms.
"It feels really proactive because the industry as a whole needs more drivers so if we can get out and help introduce more people to it then we will," she said.
"It's also great to see proactive stuff come out of our region like this."
Currently the Oz Truck App is being tested by around 5000 drivers and will be rolled out to the broader industry once more testing has been completed.
The $1.38 million app is supported by the Victorian government.
Wodonga TAFE chief executive Phil Paterson said he was proud to see such a potentially impactful app being developed on the Border.
"We're proud to launch this new initiative - it's an innovative app that will encourage more women to get involved in the industry and increase its professionalism, safety and diversity," he said.
O'Brien Transport human resources manager Rod McIntosh said the app may also show young people and women that the industry isn't one dimensional.
"It's not just about being a driver, there are plenty of opportunities in HR, management, safety and compliance, all sorts of things," he said.
