The Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada is a network of women created for women to empower, expand, and retain employment of – and shift attitudes about – women in the industry and beyond. This includes supporting the industry with issues around training, safety, career progression, education, mentoring, and more.
Objectives:
- Empower women
- Expand employment of women and underrepresented groups
- Improve and promote training standards
- Public message re. safety around large commercial vehicles
- Shift attitudes: Recognize drivers as qualified professionals
- Driver image
- Promote retention
- Promote encouragement and unity between new and experienced drivers (women and men)
- Safety issues facing women in the industry
- Promote trucking as a viable career option
- Mentoring
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Human trafficking awareness
Tell us about yourself?
Shelley Walker is the CEO of the Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada, a non-profit organization with the mission to bridge barriers, empower women, and provide a positive platform for education, mentorship, networking, and development within the trucking/transportation industry.
She has over 30 years of experience in the Trucking/Transportation industry. Shelley has a history of supporting the Transportation/Trucking industry as a reputable and respected leader, spokesperson, and professional driver. Shelley is well-versed in the undertaking of several charitable initiatives, community campaigns, and public outreach.
Her many skills include management, keynote speaking, leadership, safety and training. Shelley has a strong interest in philanthropy, promoting women within the industry and empowering teams and individuals. She was inducted into the PMTC Hall of Fame For Professional Drivers 2020 and awarded the 2020 Woman of Inspiration™ Rural Leader Award. She also received the 2019 Courage Award Nova Scotia Trucking Safety Association (NSTSA).
If you could go back in time a year or two, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
Don’t let being a woman in a male-dominated industry stop you from achieving your goals. Always remember your worth and the value you bring to the table.
What problem does your business solve?
The Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada is a non-profit organization established to encourage the employment of women in the Transportation Industry. Our purpose is to promote personal growth and responsibility whether you’re “In the Office, under the Hood, or behind the Wheel”. Despite the name “Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada”, our membership is not limited to women. We welcome the involvement of anyone who is positive and supportive of women in the Transportation Industry.
We aim to provide a platform and open environment for women across the Transportation Industry to come together, problem solve, share ideas, and help to promote our industry to future generations as a viable career option.
We also have a mentorship program on Facebook with over 350 members participating. We are currently looking for like-minded individuals and organizations to help/join our mission. We are looking to participate in career fairs, speaking engagements, training seminars, etc. All of this would not be possible without the help and support of corporate members.
What is the inspiration behind your business?
The first organization in Canada for women in the Trucking Industry. Whether it’s in the office, under the hood, or behind the wheel.
The Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada is about camaraderie, drivers helping drivers, pride and passion in what we do, empowerment, building morale, safety, training, etc.
What is your magic sauce?
The Women’s Trucking Federation Of Canada was established to encourage and promote the Women of the Trucking Industry. Whether you’re “In the Office, under the Hood, or behind the Wheel, we’re all pieces of the puzzle.”
The Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada’s aim is to build bridges between drivers and all areas of the trucking industry; carriers, enforcement, training organizations, and safety groups, as well as citizens and the media. An important part of this goal is getting more involved with young people at the high school/elementary school level. We aim to help our youth better understand trucking and to promote trucking as a viable career option.
What is the plan for the next 5 years? What do you want to achieve?
We’d like to see truck drivers recognized as a skilled trade, with a strong program that will produce more skilled drivers on our roadways. Today’s current mandatory entry-level training falls short in our eyes. More thorough and intense training needs to occur. Driver pay needs to come in line with today’s economy. We can’t expect drivers to keep working for pay by the mile. Drivers deserve to be compensated for all their time.
We’d also like to see more truck parking, better washroom facilities, and accessibility access issues are taken seriously.
We would like to see the government take strong action against Driver Inc. instead of just paying lip service. We need tougher enforcement for carriers who are not following the rules and more enforcement officers to clamp down on carriers/drivers who operate unsafe equipment. Higher financial penalties would surely be a great way to start.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?
None
The Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada’s aim is to build bridges between drivers and all areas of the trucking industry; carriers, enforcement, training organizations, and safety groups, as well as citizens and the media. An important part of this goal is getting more involved with young people at the high school/elementary school level. We aim to help our youth better understand trucking and to promote trucking as a viable career option.
How can people get involved?
This is not just an organization. This is a network. We hope you will join us!!!
If this sounds like something you want to be a part of and if you are passionate about paving the way for future generations entering our industry, joining us is easy – simply click on the join us link on our website and fill in your details. You can also contact Samantha Clarke at samanthac@wtfc.ca.