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The province is providing more than $1.6 million to the Young Women’s Christian Association to fund a truck-driver training program that aims to help women train for jobs in that industry.

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Truck-driving program helps women change gears for new careers

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 2:53 PST, Fri February 17, 2023

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As many as 50 women will be able to train for jobs in the truck-driving industry in the Lower Mainland through a new Community and Employer Partnerships (CEP) project funded by the province.

“More women will get the chance to train for good jobs that are in demand,” said Sheila Malcomson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “This training program removes barriers for women who want to drive trucks and it gets employers qualified workers.”

The Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) is receiving more than $1.6 million for the YWCA Changing Gears truck-driver training program at various Valley Driving School locations in the Lower Mainland.

“This funding will provide opportunities for women in the region to train as Class 1 truck drivers in the growing trucking industry,” said Tina Hurd, project co-ordinator, YWCA Metro Vancouver. “We’re working with a number of partners in the community to prepare graduates for rewarding careers.”

Participants will receive 20 weeks of employability and skills training, including communications and mandatory entry-level training, two weeks on-the-job work experience with local employers, and two weeks of follow-up support. In-class group-based training will take place at the YWCA in Vancouver and driver training will take place at Valley Driving School.

“We know we need the talent and potential of more British Columbians to fill future job needs, which is why with improved training initiatives we are working to close the skills gap that has left too many women out of high-demand jobs that pay well,” said Kelli Paddon, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity.

The first intake of full-time student training starts Feb. 21, with more student intakes June 5 and Nov. 6, 2023; and April 8 and July 22, 2024. More information about this or other CEP projects is available at WorkBC centres.

Funding for this project is provided through the Project Based Labour Market Training stream of the Community and Employer Partnerships (CEP) program. CEP investments are targeted at projects that support an inclusive economic recovery. CEP projects support B.C. job-seekers’ training and work experience and help businesses and communities address labour market challenges; through CEP, the province invests $15 million annually in communities throughout B.C.

This announcement is part of StrongerBC’s Future Ready plan, which is making education and training more accessible, affordable, and relevant to help businesses grow and prepare British Columbians for the jobs of tomorrow.

To learn more about the YWCA Changing Gears program, visit ywcavan.org/changing-gears.