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By Tanner Smith

Alberta government supporting women in the trucking industry

Feb 21, 2024 | 2:03 PM

As Alberta experiences a labour shortage in the commercial trucking industry, the province wants to address this issue by getting more women in this career.

$2.8 million in funding will now be given to Women Building Futures so they can develop programming that teaches skills, builds confidence, and connects graduates to companies committed to creating safe and inclusive workspaces.

Currently, women truckers make up 2.9 per cent of all Albertan commercial truckers, below the national rate of four per cent.

“Alberta has a shortage of skilled drivers, which impacts the supply chain and creates inflationary pressures. By providing grants to support organizations like Women Building Futures, we can help people get good-paying jobs and alleviate critical shortages in trucking.” According to Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, Devin Dreeshen.

Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women says the Alberta government is dedicated to ensuring women can fully participate in the province’s “impressive economic momentum”, adding “Our province is stronger when more women are in the driver’s seat.”

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Addressing these labour shortages in the commercial trucking industry is not a new issue for the province, as in 2022-2023 the Alberta government supplied $40 million in funding, to help pay for the training grants of unemployed and underemployed Albertans.

Anyone wanting more information about the new programs being offered by Women Building Futures can visit their website.