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, on Friday. “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 followup support. In-class group-based training will take place at the YWCA in Vancouver and driver training will take place at Valley Driving School.

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

Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, said: “Our government remains committed to keeping our supply chain moving and recognizes the need for more truck drivers. This training program, coupled with the Class 1 mandatory entry-level training, will help bring a knowledgeable and more diverse workforce to the Lower Mainland.”

Quick Facts:

* 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.

Learn More:

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