By Women Building Futures
Women Building Futures builds partnerships to support more women driving to an economically secure future
After working in construction for many years, Georgina Daub felt it was time for something new. While a career in driving was not top on her list, her daughter encouraged her to apply for the Women Building Futures (WBF) Professional Class 1 Driver program after hearing about it at an information session. Georgina initially hesitated, unsure if her age and having children would be a barrier. She soon learned they were not.
“There’s such a great support system. Right away, once you were accepted, they help you out, including getting financial support throughout your training period. Any question you had, there was always somebody there to answer your questions,” shares Georgina.
Georgina graduated from WBF’s first Professional Class 1 Driver class in 2017 and has enjoyed a successful career as a truck driver with the Kenan Advantage Group, one of WBF’s employer partners and an Employer of Choice.
Surrounded by Support
Since launching its driver program in 2017, WBF has graduated 67 students and remains committed to getting more women like Georgina into the driver’s seat. The non-profit organization recently received a two-year grant of $2.78 million from the Government of Alberta, which supports Women Building Futures in building the skills, knowledge, and confidence for women to succeed in resilient careers as drivers with companies committed to safe and inclusive workplaces. The grant allows WBF to work closely with industry partners and inspire systemic change in the industry.
“At Women Building Futures, our partners are truly the secret behind our success in lifting women’s potential and continuing to remove barriers for women on their paths to economic security. By working with values-aligned partners, we encourage more women to explore career opportunities in transportation and surround them with the support they need to stay and grow in these resilient careers,” says Carol Moen, president and CEO of Women Building Futures.
Women and gender-diverse individuals face numerous obstacles on their paths to economic security. These barriers include rising costs, access to employment training, academic and personal readiness, affordable childcare, and safe and inclusive workplaces.
“The value of partnering with Women Building Futures is that we are able to reach an under-represented market. We are able to support women who are underemployed and unemployed, getting them into this great career that is very lucrative,” says Leah Mawer, director of Human Resources at Caron Transportation Systems, one of WBF’s employer partners and an Employer of Choice.
Women Building Futures helps remove as many barriers to employment as possible for women, allowing them to focus on their futures. That support continues throughout graduates’ career journeys. WBF’s nine-week Professional Class 1 Driver program provides learners with hands-on training and classes covering safety, workplace culture and theory, providing the necessary foundations for a start in the industry. The training program is free and done so through the support from industry partners and the grant from the Government of Alberta.
In March 2024, WBF welcomed 12 students in Edmonton and Calgary, and another class will start in June. Applications will open again in the fall.
Industry Opportunities
Only 4 per cent of commercial truck drivers in Canada are women, leaving many women out of well-paying careers. Women who go through WBF’s Professional Class 1 Driver program will be connected to opportunities with Employers of Choice, providing the necessary boost to connect with jobs that pay above a living wage and continued training after their graduation.
“We’ve been very successful at taking in women from the program. We’re mentoring, turning them into drivers, and watching them grow and excel. They’ve been a good addition to our team,” says John Stewart, co-owner of Watt & Stewart Commodities Inc., a WBF employer partner and Employer of Choice.
Women Building Futures is committed to leading change for women entering resilient careers in transportation and the skilled trades. As employment opportunities in the transportation industry are on the rise, careers in commercial transportation provide sustainable opportunities for women and gender-diverse individuals that fit around their lives and help them reach financial independence.
“The main thing the Professional Class 1 Driver program did was it got me into driving. It was probably something I wouldn’t have pursued either. I have driven big vehicles, and people have said why don’t you get a Class 1 licence?” says Georgina. “With WBF, they gave me an in into the industry. Without them, coming into the industry with a brand-new license and at my age, it might have been difficult to get a job. But with WBF, I was able to have an opportunity in the industry.”
Breakout Box: Employers of Choice
Women Building Futures’ work extends beyond preparing women for the industry; it is also committed to getting the industry ready for women. Through the WBF Employers of Choice membership program, employer partners drive more inclusive workplaces for women and help influence systemic cultural change across the industry. Employers of Choice members have the opportunity to hire graduates from WBF’s programs, supporting more women and diversifying their workforce.
WBF supports industry partners on their diversity, equity and inclusion journeys. The non-profit’s Employers of Choice program and Work Proud inclusivity training provide the platform to share learnings and experiences that help drive change and support employer partners in nurturing safe and equitable workplaces.
About Women Building Futures
For more information on Women Building Futures visit womenbuildingfutures.ca. Are you interested in becoming a partner and getting more women into the driver’s seat? Learn about ways to support our mission.
To learn more about WBF’s Employers of Choice program and to become a member, visit wbfeoc.com.