Women Shifting Gears
The Saskatchewan Trucking Association has developed a program in partnership with the YWCA Saskatoon to help get women into driving.
Empowering Women to Take the Wheel
The Saskatchewan Trucking Association, in partnership with the YWCA Saskatoon and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Immigration and Career Training, launched the Women Shifting Gears Program in 2020.
About the Program
Saskatchewan has always been a hub for the trucking industry, playing a vital role in our daily lives. With 26,250 km of highways crisscrossing our landlocked province, trucks are the lifeblood of imports, exports, and numerous job opportunities. They transport a wide range of products, from agricultural goods to everyday essentials like food, clothing, and electronics.
Despite growing numbers of successful women entering the industry, Canada’s transport truck driver workforce is predominantly male, with only 4.0% being female. Recognizing this disparity, the Saskatchewan Trucking Association, in collaboration with the YWCA of Saskatoon and the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training, developed Women Shifting Gears. After nearly a year of initial planning, the program was launched in 2020. Today, the program has seen six cohorts of students complete the program.
Attracting More Women
Certain professions appeal to more individuals of a particular gender than others. Notably, however, these trends often stem from entrenched stereotypes regarding which industries and roles are deemed more suitable for men or women, rather than reflecting genuine differences in knowledge, skills, or career preferences.
Women in the Workforce
Across all roles within the truck transport industry, only 14% of the total workforce identify as female.
Common Roles for Women in Trucking
Women in the industry are most often found in front-line positions, including administration (87%), dispatch (52%), and shipping and receiving (22%).
Leadership Underrepresentation
Only 16% of upper management and supervisory role are held by women. This lack of representation in leadership positions creates ongoing challenges for the industry in both recruiting and retaining women.
YWCA Women Shifting Gears Employer Package
Women Shifting Gears Student with Custom Driver Simulation Training
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