As female participation in the American trucking sector surges, a recent poll demonstrates few Canadian women want anything to do with freight transportation jobs.
From 2018 to 2022, the number of women operating heavy-duty commercial vehicles in the U.S. nearly doubled from 7.9 percent to 14 percent. Many estimates that the number will be even higher by the end of 2023. By contrast, only 3 percent of Canadian truckers are female despite a labor participation rate of 47 percent.
A recent poll conducted by Abacus Data recently surveyed 1,500 job-seeking Canadian women on behalf of Trucking HR Canada. The results were stunning in terms of their perception of the trucking sector. Only 23 percent indicated they would even consider working in the freight industry. Adding insult to injury, the trucking industry ranked dead last among the 11 possible workforce choices.
More than half of Canadian women polled — 56 percent — indicated they didn’t feel welcome in the traditionally male-dominated industry. This is a sentiment organization such as Women in Trucking have worked tirelessly to combat in the U.S.
“Perception is the problem with this industry. It isn’t that people think they’re not going to get paid well or have a good job. The initial data is telling us that frankly, women just need to know what is happening and need to feel this industry is open to them,” Abacus CEO David Coletto reportedly said during the ninth annual Women with Drive conference.
Although the Canadian government continues to conduct female outreach, officials are taking a shortcut to offset the country’s truck driver shortage. The U.S. neighbor to the north plans to invest upwards of $46.3 million to add a new class of foreign-born CDL holders. With a goal of more than 1,400, Sean Fraser, minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, announced the office was actively trying to match refugees with truck driving jobs.
“Our government will continue to develop and scale innovative immigration measures to help employers address their critical labor shortages and provide refugees with the opportunity to live in safety while rebuilding their lives,” Fraser reportedly said. “Canada is a global leader in helping skilled refugees connect with employers struggling to find workers in critical areas while giving newcomers the opportunity to restart their careers and their lives here in Canada.”
Canada struggles with a trucker shortage expected to exceed 55,000 by year’s end. There are reportedly 26,900 truck driver vacancies.
Sources:
https://www.trucknews.com/blogs/women-dont-feel-wanted-in-trucking-but-new-research-reveals-an-opportunity/
https://www.ttnews.com/articles/canadian-trucking-plan-refugees
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/25/women-truck-driving-shortage.html
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