Female managers and executives from across Canada’s trucking industry are joining together to help more women pursue traditionally male-dominated career opportunities in trucking.

Supporting Women in Freight Transportation (SWIFT), a new national advisory committee spearheaded by Trucking HR Canada, includes a cross section of senior managers, directors, presidents and C-level executives. Together, they are committed to educating other women about careers in trucking, identifying challenges and barriers to their career paths, and promoting the recruiting and retention practices which support women in the workforce.

“While many gains have been made, women are still largely underrepresented in trucking-related careers,” says Angela Splinter, Chief Executive Officer of Trucking HR Canada. “This challenge needs to be addressed as the trucking industry looks to ease an intensifying shortage of skilled workers.”

Women represent a mere 3% of Canada’s truck drivers, mechanics, transport trailer technicians, and cargo workers. They also account for just 11% of managers, 13% of parts technicians, 18% of dispatchers, and 25% of freight claims/safety and loss prevention specialists.

A long-term, chronic shortage of qualified truck drivers has been recognized in recent reports by groups including the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) and the Conference Board of Canada.

SWIFT’s inaugural meeting will be held April 11 during Truck World, the largest truck trade show in Canada.

For a complete list of SWIFT advisory committee members and to follow their activities, click here.