WINNIPEG — From drivers to fleet owners and company chairs, more women than ever before are advancing up the career ladder in Canadian trucking.

That’s the word from a trio of female trucking pros who spoke about evolving roles for women in trucking at the recent Future of Trucking Symposium in Winnipeg.

The so-called driver shortage might seem like yesterday’s news today, but Canada’s impending demographic dearth is real and the difficulty of finding quality people to pilot trucks will return in the not-too-distant future once economic conditions improve.

The trucking industry is male dominated at a rate of 85 percent percent and strategies to attract both drivers and management personnel should include the other half of the population, says Linda Gauthier, executive director of the Canadian Transportation Human Resources Council.

"Career opportunities are available in all aspects, the only limitations are their own interests and abilities," she told attendees at the Symposium, adding that there are plenty of jobs in transport for different skill sets.

OBAC’s Joanne Ritchie says technology such as automatic transmissions and better vehicle design and ergonomics is making it easier for women to overcome barriers that have historically kept them out of the industry, such as long hours away from home and physical demands of the job.

Besides, "work-life balance is not just a women’s issue" anymore. "A lot of things that attract women to the job will make the job better and safer for everyone. The best way to attract people, women and men, is think about ways to change the job."

Women are not looking for special treatment, says Ellen Voie, CEO of Women in Trucking.

However, harassment is still prevalent and carriers need better policies to stamp it out.

"Some women are afraid to get on the CB," says Voie.

"The future of trucking includes women at the wheel."