At 19, Charlene Kerkhof is proving that young professionals are ready to drive the future of road transport. Growing up in a trucking family in the Netherlands, she has turned her passion into a career. Now she’s mastering the road and calling for better opportunities to help more young drivers succeed.
Charlene Kerkhof begins her mornings early, confidently climbing into the cab of her truck like a seasoned professional. She started driving at 18, and now, at 19, she has already proven herself in the demanding world of road transport. While many her age are still exploring career paths, Charlene is already on the road, ensuring goods are delivered safely and on time.
She has always been surrounded by trucks. Her brother hauls containers, while her grandfather was both a driver and a mechanic. From an early age, she knew that she wanted to follow in their footsteps.
Now she is combining classroom learning with hands-on experience. It’s a challenging balance, but one that she embraces fully.
“The real knowledge comes from being on the road,” she says.
“You can learn a lot in school, but nothing prepares you better than actually driving.”
The road to confidence
Stepping into the industry at a young age comes with its challenges. At first, some people are surprised to see a young woman behind the wheel.
“They don’t expect it,” she admits. “But once they see how well I handle my truck, respect follows.”
Her biggest concern, however, is not gender. It’s the lack of young drivers.
Driving safely, thinking ahead
For Charlene, safety is the foundation of her profession. She takes every aspect seriously, from route planning to anticipating the behaviour of other drivers.
The training and mentorship she has received from experienced drivers have helped her build confidence.
“I started by riding along, watching how professionals handle different situations. That gave me the experience I needed to get behind the wheel myself,” says Charlene.
A vision for the future
Charlene’s determination to succeed is evident in how she approaches every aspect of her work. Whether it is maintaining her truck, perfecting her driving skills, or planning efficient routes, she takes pride in being a professional.
For her, every journey is a learning experience. She sees each day as an opportunity to further improve her skills and gain new insights into the industry. She enjoys the independence that comes with the job but also values the camaraderie among drivers.
Bridging the gap: skills and training
Looking ahead, Charlene is eager to expand her expertise. She knows that in an evolving industry, versatility is key.
“My next goal is to operate a crane truck so I can handle my own loading and unloading,” she says. “Being multi-skilled makes you more valuable.”
She also hopes to see more young people considering careers in transport. While the profession provides freedom and stability, she believes increased awareness and better access to training are essential.
“There’s so much potential for young drivers, but they need to know that the opportunities exist,” she says. “Better training programmes and clear career paths would help more people get started.”
A call for action
As the industry faces a growing driver shortage, Charlene believes policymakers must step up to ensure the next generation of drivers can access the training and support they need.
“We need more apprenticeships, funding for training, and clear career progression pathways,” she says. “There’s a shortage of drivers, and young people like me are ready to step up.”
Inspiring the next generation
Charlene hopes that more young people will consider a career in trucking and believes that with the right encouragement, more young people will step into the driver’s seat.
“Transport keeps everything moving,” she says. “It’s a huge responsibility, but it’s also an amazing career.”
As she continues to log kilometres, Charlene is proving that the next generation of road transport professionals is already here. With the right policies, training and career opportunities, young, skilled and motivated drivers like her will keep goods moving for years to come.