With a shortage of truck drivers in the province, the industry is expanding its recruitment efforts.
Executive Director of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association Jean-Marc Picard says previously it was known as a male dominated occupation, but that is changing. They are now zoning in on different demographics, including women, immigrants and younger people.
“A lot of companies now have female driver coaches on staff because they are seeing more women wanting to drive truck. They want to make it more comfortable for a female new recruit to be with a female coach to do their internship,” Picard says.
Trucks are also more sophisticated as well, and there is less shifting of gears.
“Companies are also more conscientious of their drivers and the women that are driving as well. They are trying to get them home on the weekend to be with their family. Women might have thought they were going to be gone for too long. We want women drivers, because typically they are very good drivers,” Picard says.
He feels the industry is responding, and trying to accommodate the women on staff and the younger generation who may have different work ethics or values, “We are responding accordingly. It is too our benefit to do so.”
