AYR, Ont. — The province will spend $1.3 million to help 54 women, newcomers and others from underrepresented groups train to be truck drivers.
Led by the Women's Trucking Federation of Canada, the Bridging the Gap in Trucking initiative will give participants up to 200 hours of free training required to obtain AZ (tractor-trailer) and DZ (straight truck) licences.
Details of the program were announced at a news conference Tuesday in Ayr, near Cambridge.
Premier Doug Ford said it will help break down barriers to attract women to the trucking industry, where only two per cent of drivers are female.
The program will also reimburse up to $4,500 for childcare and other living expenses.
According to the government, Ontario needs at least 6,100 more truck drivers to fill job vacancies.
"The trucking sector in Ontario continues to experience significant skills and labour shortages," said Stephen Laskowski, president of the Ontario Trucking Association. "As a multifaceted and diverse industry, there are many opportunities in trucking for Canadian women, who will be an instrumental resource in helping us solve our labour shortage."
The project will also cover training for forklift operation, defensive driving, countering workplace violence and harassment, and awareness of human trafficking.
After completing the program, graduates will receive help from the Women's Trucking Federation to get jobs as professional drivers.
On average, truckers in Ontario currently earn $26 per hour.
The first cohort of in-person training begins July 1 in Kitchener-Waterloo, the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa and London.
Individuals interested in applying can do so by emailing programs@wtfc.ca.
