by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Feb 10, 2017 | BLOG
Why become a Member ?
If you are interested in starting or furthering your career as a professional in the Trucking Industry , joining a professional association is a good start. There are associations for nearly every profession in the work force. An association is a synergistic group, meaning that the effect of a collection of people is greater than just one person. So, how exactly can becoming part of this synergistic group help further your goals? Here are some benefits of joining an association. For most people, creating professional relationships is important, and joining a group allows you to have a sense of security and trust. From this, you are able to support and help one another in reaching your professional goals. Associations can sponsor numerous events throughout the year that allows you to connect with your peers. You can share ideas, ask for advice, volunteer to be a speaker or become a member of a committee. Since most associations have International or local conferences, you can participate and have the opportunity to learn about breaking news in your group, learn “best practices” or new ideas, hear about key achievers in your field and also meet and brainstorm with others who are also looking to share and learn new information. Another benefit of enhancing your association is that you may find a mentor to help you with your professional needs or you may be in a position to become a mentor to someone else. Giving back can be the greatest reward and benefit. Participating in forums, chat groups or discussion boards sponsored by the association is also a great way to grow your network. This allows you to use your peers as sounding boards and often make some great friends with the same interests as you. And don’t forget, listing your association membership on your resume is impressive to current or future employers as it shows that you are dedicated to staying connected in your profession.
The Women’s Trucking Federation Of Canada was established to encourage and promote the Women of the Trucking Industry whether your ” In the Office, under the Hood or behind the Wheel we’re all pieces of the puzzle ”
Currently we have over 100 participants in our Mentoring Program, and growing !! Some of our Mentors include Safety and compliance officers, parts and service technicians , diesel technicians, dispatchers, office staff, drivers, commercial motor vehicle inspectors, law officials, recruiters, and a few owners. Our program consists of both female and male Mentors and Mentees. We firmly believe that ” In Learning you will Teach and In Teaching you will Learn ” Interested in participating in our Mentors Program ?? Please send an email : inquiries@wtfc.ca or look us up on Facebook at WTFC MENTORS/MENTEES ONLY
We have just teamed up with Perkopolis A Members Only discount program . You will be able to receive discounts on hotels, shopping, travel,Entertainment etc. Upon joining the Women’s Trucking Federation Of Canada you will be given a exclusive access code for our members only.
Interested in becoming a Member ?
Go to www.wtfc.ca
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Feb 3, 2017 | BLOG
The “ It’s not my problem “ attitude can have serious ripple effects . In order for things to run effectively in the Trucking Industry it requires team work. It’s definitely not a 1 person show. We all have to work collectively as a whole , otherwise it causes undue stress and can result in loss of revenue .
A city driver was dispatched to pick up a load headed south to the USA. Once loaded they were dropping it in the company yard. When loaded they were handed the paperwork and verbally told we changed the skid count on this shipment. It was clearly scribbled out and hand written on 1 page . This driver arrived at their home terminal , just as Dispatch was leaving for the night at 10 pm. That is when they informed Dispatch of the change in the load. The highway driver was sitting in the yard since 5pm waiting for this time sensitive load.
The results of the “It’s not my problem “ attitude…. Dispatch had to wait until the shipper opened the next morning at 8am to get the paperwork corrected. Everything had to be resubmitted to the customs broker and US customs. The load wasn’t going to make its scheduled appointment time. The highway driver was now waiting for 14 hrs.
All of this could have been avoided had the city driver checked all the paperwork, notified Dispatch prior to leaving the shipper. So you can clearly see why the “It’s not my problem “ attitude doesn’t fit well in the Trucking Industry.
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Jan 27, 2017 | BLOG
There have always been women in trucking.
There are women who provide back office support, women dispatchers, brokerage agents, and women who own their own trucking companies. Elaine Chao was recently appointed Secretary of Transportation and throughout the industry, it seems as though women are making their presence in trucking more visible. The number of female truck drivers has grown 50% in the last decade, according to the American Trucking Associations (ATA). However, a study by the Bureau of Labor states women make up only 5.1% of truck drivers. But that number is expected to increase and here are some reasons why.
Recruiting Women Truckers
With the truck driver shortage many companies are starting to make equipment adjustments to accommodate and recruit women truckers. These modifications to the truck makes driving physically easier for the trucker and safer on the road.
Women truck drivers statistically hold a better safety record than their male counterparts. According to President and COO of Werner Enterprises, Derek Leathers, they are more patient on the road and tend to get into smaller and less damaging accidents resulting in a 25% lower accident cost. Ellen Voie, the founder, President & CEO of the Women in Trucking Association, has found that women truckers are an asset not only on the road, but they are better with the customers and more organized with paperwork making the back office run smooth as well.
Why Trucking?
Why would a woman want to drive a truck? Probably for the exact same reasons that men are interested in the industry! Being in control of their own environment while on the road.
One of our clients, Cynthia, started out driving trucks in 1996 and now owns her own company. She says that her independence is her favorite part of the job. Women are offered just as much earning potential in truck driving as men because the jobs are based on how hard you want to work and less about office politics in other traditionally female dominant industries.
Being on the road and away from family and friends is hard no matter who you are. But cleaning up truck stop rest areas, allowing pets on the road, and other improvements have made it more inviting for women to take to the open road.
All in all the trucking industry is already a diverse work environment with all types of people and is becoming more inclusive to keep them happy and help meet the demand that is out there. Even the Women in Trucking Association has created the WIT index so that women truck drivers can be more accurately counted as the numbers increase. So be on the lookout for more woman truckers!
Are you thinking about being like Cynthia and starting your own trucking company? Let us help you! Give us a call at 855-369-2739. To learn more about what to expect in your first year of trucking, download ourfree white paper and subscribe to our channel on YouTube.
Posted with permission of
Sarah Schimpff
Public Relations Coordinator
Apex Capital Corp.
Link to original article :
The Future of Women in Trucking
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Jan 17, 2017 | BLOG
This is a question that I hear a lot from many different people. My reply to them is; ask yourself this question
“How long could I maintain my life and pay my bills if I wasn’t earning any money?”
because most of us can’t afford to have a 1, 2, 3 or 4 month unpaid vacation.
When we suffer from an injury or an illness that stops us from working our income also stops our bills and responsibilities however do not. We still have to put food on the table, pay our bills and keep up with our regular family commitments such as children’s sports and clubs. How would you cope if you couldn’t pay your mortgage or rent?
The idea of being unable to maintain our normal standard of living can be very upsetting, the financial strain of mounting bills can put tremendous pressure on you and your family.
By investing in Disability Insurance you can feel secure with the peace of mind that if an accident or an illness should occur your ability to pay your bills and take care of your family need not be diminished.
1 in 3 Canadians, on average, will be disabled for 90 days or more at least once before the age of 65, a disability can last for many months or even years.
You almost certainly know someone who has missed work due to a simple accident or even an unforeseen illness.
• A mechanic breaks an arm on a snow mobile and can’t work for 8 weeks or more
• A car accident can take many months to recover from
• An busy accountant has to recover after a heart attack
• A truck driver with a torn rotator cuff, in acute cases can require surgery or many weeks of physiotherapy.
Choosing the right insurance starts with finding an insurance advisor that you can trust, one that will explain the pros and cons of the different types of disability insurance that are available to you. Don’t just go online and purchase something that sounds great, Disability Insurance is not like booking flights online.
Ask your friends and family who they deal with and ask if they are happy with the service that they have received, if they have had a claim how did it go?
A good insurance advisor will take the time to listen to you to learn about your needs because Disability Insurance is not a one size fits all process. They will answer any questions that you have in with no hard sell tactics.
There are a number of factors that will guide the decision as to the particular set up of your insurance the amount of coverage and the cost can vary a lot. Some types of insurance will be guaranteed issue while others will require answering medical questions.
Do you have any coverage through your work or are you self-employed and therefore completely responsible for your own personal disability insurance?
Setting yourself up with Disability Insurance needn’t be complicated if you work with an experienced advisor. You should also review your coverage of your disability insurance at regular intervals as with you would with your Life Insurance, life changes and your insurance should be flexible enough to change with it.
About the author:
Fiona is a fully licenced independent Insurance Broker working with all types of personal insurance needs. She specialises in Disability Insurance. Her passion for Disability Insurance is born out of a desire to help Canadians avoid the terrible consequences that can be experienced from a short or long term disability be it an accident or an illness.
“No one should have to lose their home and their family for the sake of a broken leg, the ability to keep up with our bills and commitments when we have no income can make this the awful reality of having no coverage”
Fiona works with the self-employed and people who have coverage through their work but who want to make sure that they have sufficient coverage to meet the needs of their family.
She is committed to making your experience with personal insurance as straight forward and simple as possible offering a flexible client focused service. Whether meeting truckers or business owners Fiona will meet you to discuss your needs at a time and place that is most convenient to you.
Contact Fiona:
Fiona Stone – Personal Insurance Professional
Cell: 647-287-2432
Toll Free: 1-866-323-4186
www.stoneinsurance.ca
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Dec 31, 2016 | BLOG
What a busy and exciting year it was for the Women’s Trucking Federation Of Canada. We have had a lot of growth within our organization, as well as many changes to help us promote and encourage Women in to the Trucking Industry. None of this would be possible without the support of our Members and Sponsors. Who graciously volunteer their time and assistance. We’d also like to thank the various organizations and individuals (too numerous to list)have helped us along the way. You gals and guys are awesome! We look forward to working with you in 2017.
Interested in becoming a member ??? Check out the Join Us section on our website at www.wtfc.ca
We had our new logo designed which we just love and hope you do too!
We also had our new slogan created for our organization.
We attended various events and seminars through out the year across Canada and the USA. It was a wonderful networking experience for us.
We had a lot of fun at the Trucking For A Cure Convoy in Woodstock raising money for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. We look forward to seeing you all again this year. Sponsors, donations and volunteers are always welcome.
Joanne MacKenzie’s Pinky Truck
Some of our Members trucks who participated in the Trucking For A Cure Convoy in Woodstock ON
We also had the pleasure of helping with the TruckersChristmasGroup.Org . This wonderful organization helps trucking families in need during Christmas. Sponsors, donations and volunteers are always welcome.
A big thank you to our Corporate Sponsors. If your looking for a career in the Trucking Industry please contact them. You’ll find direct links to their websites under our sponsors section or check out our recruiting section. If your interested in becoming a sponsor please check out the Become a Sponsor section. www.wtfc.ca
Thinking of starting a new career as a Professional driver ? Wondering which school to attend ? Check out the Truck Training Schools Association of Ontario (TTSAO) you’ll find a direct link from our website at www.wtfc.ca
Stay tuned for some exciting announcements in the New Year !!
Wishing you all a good health, joy, safe travels and prosperity in 2017
