OTTAWA, Ont. – Mark your calendars. The trucking industry’s first-ever Women with Drive Leadership Summit has been scheduled for March 5 in Toronto.

The summit will aim to address the challenges and barriers faced by women in trucking. Word of the summit was unveiled by Trucking HR Canada as part of its three-year action plan – which is based on the results of surveys taken by women who already work in trucking, male managers and women looking for careers.

Other actions will include a new marketing campaign to promote trucking for women and creating mentorship and training opportunities for women in trucking.

“We are taking steps to facilitate lasting change, transform business cultures, and support the women who pursue career opportunities in trucking,” said Cavalier Transport’s Vicki Stafford, chair of the national advisory committee. “Canada’s trucking industry needs to recruit and retain far more women to maximize its potential and address an intensifying shortage of employees.”

Angela Splinter, CEO of Trucking HR Canada added: “This action plan represents a series of concrete steps to help address one of the trucking industry’s biggest long-term challenges.”