The Government of Alberta is investing nearly 3 million dollars in Women Building Futures.

The money will go towards helping train women to become professional truck drivers in the commercial transportation sector.

The province says the demand for truck drivers is at an all-time high with over 4,000 job vacancies in Alberta alone.

“Alberta has a shortage of skilled drivers, which impacts the supply chain and creates inflationary pressures,” said Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Economic Corridors.

“Fewer than three per cent of Class 1 drivers in Alberta are women, and by providing grants to support organizations like Women Building Futures, we can help people get good-paying jobs and alleviate critical shortages in trucking.”

Women Building Futures is a non-profit organization that offers programs and support services to help women explore and connect to careers that pay above a living wage. The organization has helped train over three thousand women and break into new industries where they are often underrepresented.

“Women Building Futures is proud to stay at the forefront of leading change for women entering new careers in commercial transportation,” said Carol Moen, President and CEO of Women Building Futures.

“By partnering with employers that value and work to make inclusive workspaces – and with tremendous support from the Government of Alberta – we will see more women driving to an economically secure future.”

Of Alberta’s 149,638 Class 1 drivers, only 4,370 are women which is less than 3 per cent of the toal number in the sector.