The Onward Journey

Mission: Promoting diversity and inclusion (D&I) by enabling increased participation of underrepresented groups in the Canadian trucking industry

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The trucking industry has had a long-standing aspirational goal to vastly improve the diversity of its workforce. Now, more than ever, with the rising labor shortage, and emerging pockets of support for increased participation by a diverse workforce, we may be upon a time when there is a real chance to shift the momentum once and for all.

About Us

Our Beliefs

The dawn is breaking – the light of diversity and inclusion initiatives are starting to come through – and it is time now to step into full daylight. Please join us in our journey to extend the possibility of a career in trucking to groups that have not had a chance to participate in this rewarding career option until now. And while we are at it, let’s ensure that we do our utmost to implement inclusion policies to give them a real chance at experiencing success.

About Us

Why do we believe what we believe?

While two sides of the same coin, Diversity, and Inclusion are terms that mean entirely different things. Diversity represents differences and can be measured and tracked. Inclusion, on the other hand, is about creating and sustaining an environment where participants from diverse groups can truly feel a sense of belonging and comfort.

Employers too often focus on hiring diverse talent but miss out on inclusion. Putting diversity at the heart of hiring strategy is a great first step, but it is just that. If underrepresented minorities, women, and others of diverse backgrounds and experiences aren’t successful, they won’t stay long. Diversity in hiring can only be impactful if it is supported by an inclusive culture. The point is, the two are not mutually exclusive.

About Us

Who are we

Enthusiasts with strong technology, education, and training backgrounds – offering assistance to the trucking industry in embracing diversity in hiring and training practices, while also creating a culture of inclusion

In-Flight Project:

Augment Truck Driver Training with Simulators

When paired with traditional in-class and on-the-road training, a high-fidelity approach to commercial driving simulators (with a life-like training environment that can mimic hazards and risk concerns), may lead to better training outcomes. Simulators not only promise a way to offer more cost-effective training, but also one that is safer. They also help debunk the notion that “trucks are scary”. With that as our core belief, we are currently in the process of assessing and acquiring top-notch simulation technologies to augment classroom, yard, and on-the-road training.

We plan to leverage these simulators to introduce truck driving to the untapped and underrepresented minority groups by partnering with several participants in the truck driver training profession.

Our Plans

In a December 2021 report titled “The Road to Recovery: Reassessing Canada’s Trucking and Logistics Labour Shortages”, Trucking HR Canada noted: “Over 75% of employers expect labor shortages for truck drivers to be a challenge . . . Furthermore, 56% of employers report labor shortages for truck drivers as their top concern.”

In light of the above, we aspire to conceptualize and implement ways to break-down barriers to entry in the truck driving profession. In doing so, our approach will focus on working with women, persons with disabilities, people of colour, new Canadians, and other diverse groups to introduce, facilitate, and support a career in commercial truck driving.

Strategic Alliances

Our plan calls for connecting thousands of Canadians with the training and skills development they need to become a future-ready transportation workforce. Our partnerships efforts will focus on forging alliances with training institutions, employers and staffing agencies, and immigrant settlement agency groups.

Two Sided Marketplace:

Uber-like service for trucks – a marketplace that meets demand and supply for trucking

Diversity and Inclusion in Trucking (DIT) Ambassador Program

Soon to be launched.

We believe that we have an extraordinary opportunity to press the reset button in the commercial trucking industry: to recruit, nurture and retain the first truly diverse groups of participants. Doing so, however, calls for leaders who embrace the idea that diversity and inclusion are not only our social obligation but rather a business imperative.

The company we keep

CHET
We have a strong partnership with Commercial Heavy Equipment Training Ltd. (CHET).
This organization is a well known driver training academy and recruiting center. CHET was formed 25 years ago, in 1997, as a subsidiary of Musket Transport Ltd. to provide high caliber training to the industry through its graduates. Their focus is on nurturing skills, safety, and training to ensure students are well equipped and succeed.

"... (CHET), has been selected as a training partner for the government funded Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) research project on City Logistics for the Urban Economy (CLUE). We are confident, this partnership will strengthen creating and sustaining an environment where participants from diverse groups can truly feel a sense of belonging and comfort..."

MUSKET

Sophia Sniegowski Begidzhanov

(Corporate Communications Officer, The Musket Transport Ltd)
As a woman associated with the transportation and logistics industry for over 10 years, it is abundantly clear to me that there is an acute need for more women to enter this sector. That said, the thought of getting behind the wheels of large tractor-trailers is intimidating for many.  Adding to this anxiety are the high training costs with no financial assistance programs.  These factors are major barriers to entry for the female population in the trucking industry.

I am passionate about affecting change in the industry in ways that can help women feel more welcomed, less overwhelmed and more supported throughout their careers in trucking. Through my longstanding involvement with Musket Transport, a private carrier as well as private career college, CHET, I am proud to be part of a team that has a well-developed female recruitment and retention program.

As we continue to make strides, we are truly excited to partner with Ladies With Drive (LWD) whose diversity and inclusion goals align perfectly with ours.  Armed with groundbreaking technology and expertise in training and education, LWD brings a wealth of resources that not only makes our alliance compelling, but also promises to benefit the industry as a whole

Come join us in our quest

If you are a stakeholder in the trucking industry and are interested in recruiting and retaining talent via usage of simulators, becoming a DE&I ambassador, or simply supporting us in our mission, please reach out.

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