As one of five pillars of Alberta’s Recovery Plan, the province is strengthening the workforce with skills training and employment grants. This funding is part of a $10-million investment in Budget 2022 to help reduce labour shortages in the commercial trucking industry.
“Women are an essential part of Alberta’s workforce and their accomplishments contribute to our success. I am very pleased this Budget 2022 grant will open doors to a career many thought was not achievable. Alberta needs more trailblazers.”
“Budget 2022 provides women with a great opportunity to land a fulfilling, good-paying job in the commercial trucking industry. As Alberta’s government moves forward, this investment will help put more women in the driver’s seat.”
Through a mix of supporting individual Class 1 driver’s licence training, program development tailored to women and promoting new career choices in transportation, the $3-million grant will provide women with new skills to achieve success in the industry.
“We applaud the Government of Alberta and its ongoing commitment to women and Women Building Futures. Providing opportunities for women to become professional commercial truck drivers is turning economic security from a dream into a reality for many women and will help our province prosper.”
“More women working within the commercial transportation sector drives innovation, strengthens our economy and benefits all Albertans and Canadians. The AMTA thanks the Alberta government for its efforts to remove barriers that women and other under-represented groups may experience when considering or pursuing careers in our industry.”
“There are so many great people in the industry who support and help each other succeed. I am grateful to be part of this industry and hope to see more women enter this career and break down barriers.”
“My experience in the commercial driving industry has been so rewarding. I want women to know they can have a successful and rewarding career in an industry that is so essential to our communities.”
Quick facts
- Funding for Commercial Driver Grants in Budget 2022 includes:
- $6 million for the Driving Back to Work Program
- $3 million to support women returning to the workforce and underemployed Albertans
- $1 million towards developing online and virtual reality simulator training
- The Driving Back to Work Program covers 90 per cent of Class 1 Mandatory Entry Level Training that is required to become a Class 1 commercial truck driver.
- Alberta has already invested $8 million in the Driving Back to Work program to support 800 unemployed Albertans completing Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) to obtain a Class 1 licence.
- It is estimated that by 2023 there will be a shortage of approximately 3,600 commercial drivers in Alberta.
- According to Labour and Immigration’s September 2021 data, 41,100 Albertans identify “truck driver” as their occupation. Of these, 38,500 are employed and 1,600 are unemployed.
- According to Trucking HR Canada, approximately 97,000 women work in Canada’s trucking and logistics industry.
- 21 per cent work in front-line jobs, such as shipping and receiving
- 21 per cent work in administration, accounting and HR
- 10 per cent are commercial truck drivers
- fewer than five per cent of the sector’s female employees are in a management or supervisor position
