The Ontario government is investing $1.3 million in an effort to get more women and others from underrepresented groups into the trucking industry.
The province has announced that a new program, led by the Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada, will prepare 54 prospective truck drivers for a career in the industry.
“This innovative program will help break down barriers to attract more women into the trucking industry,” said Premier Doug Ford in a news release. “As we build Ontario, we’re going to need all hands-on deck. That’s why our government is working hard to ensure that all skilled occupations are more accessible and welcoming for women and all under-represented groups.”
The free program will provide participants with up to 200 hours of training needed to obtain their tractor-trailer and straight truck licenses. It will also cover training for forklift operation, defensive driving, workplace violence and harassment, and human trafficking awareness.
The Women’s Trucking Federation will also work with graduates to ensure they are employed as professional drivers.
To remove barriers to participation, trainees will be eligible to receive up to $1,000 for transportation and childcare support, $300 for equipment, and a $400 weekly allowance.
According to the province, only two per cent of Ontario truck drivers are women.
Funded through the government’s Skills Development Fund, the project will begin next month, with the first cohorts of participants beginning training on July 1 in Kitchener-Waterloo, the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, and London.