I met my husband on a very beautiful day in June 2010. We have been pretty well inseparable from one another since that day. I was sincerely lucky to find someone who has been this supportive, and in 2017 I said YES to his proposal. One year later, we got hitched!
We moved, bought our second home together, found new careers!
Even before the wedding date the hubby and I had started actively trying to have a child. He was not super on board with the tracking that goes into actually trying to have a child. But from my experience and that of my friends, many families have difficulty conceiving. To his defense, it seemed unnatural, and he just wanted it to happen when it happens.
I am over 30 with a Type A personality, so naturally, it was never just going to happen when it happens! After downloading a fertility tracking app (there are so many options and they are all great), I began to track and learn more about pregnancy and getting pregnant. I already knew that with my PTSD and anxiety, my stress levels would be an issue. I was able to track my stress as well as other symptoms for each day.
Fast forward 2 years and we are still not pregnant. The feelings of inadequacy, stress, and jealousy towards others who have been successful can sometimes be overwhelming. Each month you are reminded that it didn’t work out. “Is there something wrong with me?!?!?!?” We met with our fertility specialist for the first time and we went through our basic histories with her. She went through a previous test results and made simple suggestions for some modifications to our lifestyles that could assist us in getting pregnant. These simple health tips included: • Good nights sleep • Exercise • Good nutrition and Vitamins • No smoking or 420 • No Drinking • Stress Reduction • Treating his sleep apnea
Obviously, these are general healthy lifestyle tips, but the healthier your body is, the more likely you are to conceive. Many of us lead very sedimentary life styles, especially when it comes to truck drivers. This lack of activity will affect your health, fertility, and motility! I had worked diligently to reduce all stressors in my life, including leaving roles that didn’t align with my goals. As an HR and Safety professional in a male dominated field, it can be very stressful managing the relationships between your staff, managers and owners. Throw in all the different cultures and backgrounds that make up the trucking industry and it can be both a challenging and a rewarding workplace for women. You will definitely need to be up to the challenge!
Even as I sit here writing this, I am wondering if I am going to be judged? I don’t know if I want anyone to know I am trying to have a family because I am interested in my career progression. There have been too many times I have been asked where I see myself in 5 years, or not to mention the meetings where other managers would rather choose a different candidate because this candidate could get pregnant.
Of course, my career is 100% important to me; I love helping companies be more profitable and help employees find great employers to work for. I love bringing positivity to the workplace to create employee engagement and connection.
But I also know that a family and a career are not mutually exclusive ideas. Many men and women are highly successful “despite” (or maybe because of) having a family. When employees know they are supported through company policies and supports they are able to manage their stress more effectively, they are more engaged in the company and are more likely to return to work after their leave is completed.
My husband and I plan to split our time off, as we are encouraged by the changes to the laws that recognize the vital parts that both parents play. It is important to our house hold in general. If and when we are able to make this baby happen.
We are encouraged by the support and flexibility given to us by our workplace to attend the many (and I mean many) doctors appointments. Without flexibility in our schedules, it would be very difficult if not impossible. From hormone testing, cell and motility testing, ultra sounds and x-ray procedures, employees need time to navigate these procedures. They are not pleasant physically and it is emotionally exhausting. These are just the diagnostic procedures we have completed so far! This does not include further hormonal treatments and testing either of us may need, or the possibility of IVF.
Right now, we are focusing on the small lifestyle changes and each other, while we wait for more testing to be booked. We are happy to be able to have employers who recognize the importance of family. They continually work to support us in order to ensure we are available for our appointments as needed.
Without this support from our employers, we would not be able to fulfill one of my lifelong dreams, to have a family.
Due to the sensitive nature of this article the author wishes to remain anonymous.
As the shortage of truck drivers in Ontario continues to be a major challenge for the concrete industry, finding and keeping qualified drivers has never been more crucial. In response, there has been a recent shift in the traditionally male-dominated industry as various groups are working to strengthen the trucking industry’s diversity practices and increase gender parity. Recognizing that women only represent about 3% of the trucking workforce in Canada has prompted government and corporate funding, additional educational and training resources and the emergence of new associations that encourage the employment of women in trucking, promote their accomplishments, and minimize obstacles faced by women working in the industry. The ready-mixed concrete industry in Ontario has over 3,500 trucks on the road. The truck operators or Concrete Delivery Professionals (CDPs), are responsible for safely and efficiently delivering quality concrete to countless projects throughout the province and are an essential part of the team. Concrete Ontario represents over 90 ready-mixed concrete companies in Ontario and hosts a variety of events, such as our annual Truck Rodeo, which showcases and celebrates the skills of our member’s CDPs. This past summer, at our 2019 Truck Rodeo, we were excited to have three female contestants out of our twenty-four participants, and are proud to announce our first female winner, Colleen Lizotte. Colleen took some time to share how her search for a second career brought her to the trucking industry and allowed her to find her “happy place”, behind the wheel of a Miller-EC King Concrete truck (part of Colas – Miller). Daughter to a dad that had driven both long haul and short haul in the concrete industry, Colleen grew up familiar with the trucking industry. As a mom to a soon-to-be 13 year old daughter, her commitment to herself and her family drove her to finding a rewarding career, which allows her to be a key contributor to the safest, most resilient buildings and infrastructure across the province – those built with concrete. Throughout her five years as a CDP she has enjoyed delivering concrete to various jobsites and helping develop her greater Collingwood community. Her success can be attributed to her contagious positive energy, confidence in her skills, as well as knowing she is contributing to sustainable and resilient communities through her work.
So what is it that makes this a daily happy place for Mom ?
Colleen, what do you enjoy most about your career as a Concrete Delivery Professional CDP)?
I love the variety of challenges. Every day is a different experience. There are not many places you can work where you get something new and interesting every day. I love being part of a team. I feel very supported by my team members, and by the crews I coordinate with on-site when delivering. This is my second career. I was working a minimum wage job and had a wake-up call in my personal life that said to me, there is better out there for me than this. I decided to look into trucking and a trusted friend helped me learn how to get the proper license, and I went out and started applying. It has been positive change ever since.
What do you find the most challenging, day to-day, as a CDP?
Most challenging. Hmmm. It has to be managing the self-pressure to be safe and to perform extra well. It’s not just my job to deliver, it’s my job to deliver safely. It’s your truck – you know it and you don’t want to sit at home if you damage your truck, and you definitely do not want to be responsible for an accident or injury. There can be pressure when you arrive on site, so you need to constantly tell yourself “Focus, Go Slow”, and then have the confidence to drive that way, no matter what is going on around you. I hold myself to a really high standard on that.
Growing up you were exposed to both long haul and short haul. Why choose short haul for your profession?
For me – the choice to drive in concrete just made sense. I’m a mom to a great 13-year old daughter. Driving concrete means, I’m home every night. This industry gave me the perfect mom solution. Make a great wage doing an interesting job during the day and “Be Mom” every evening. It’s such a win-win. I wish more women were aware.
What advice would you give to new women considering entering the industry?
Wow – that’s a great question. Let me think. There are a few things: The first one is that it’s normal to be nervous to start. These trucks are heavy. They don’t turn the greatest, but you develop the skills, an art to deal with that. At first, the hills around the Blue Mountains were pretty scary. You get quickly used to constantly thinking about how to be safe on the road. Making good gear choices becomes second nature. Side note: Be kind to trucks out there. They are watching out for you. Give them room and watch out for them. You have to have confidence in yourself. Your team will support you in learning and growing and you need to trust yourself and accept “I know what I’m doing” and go out and do it. When you start out – I think the best thing is honesty. I’d go on job sites and tell the crews “I’ve only been doing this for so long – work with me here”. And they did. And they’ll help you along the way. Now 5 years later, delivering to those same crews, we joke around about it being my “1st day”. Some women think they couldn’t do this career physically or that they couldn’t learn about concrete. I’m here to tell you – it’s really not that physically demanding. And other drivers and employees here taught me about concrete, slumping, etc. Trust that your team will teach you what you need to learn. They’ll be invested in your success. Lastly, and most importantly, have fun and enjoy it. This industry is made up of great people who love to build and create great things. That is something amazing to feel good about at work.
And the Concrete Rodeo – What was that like? And what’s up next?
It really was a great day. You’re surrounded by others passionate about professional concrete delivery. There were also two other women drivers, which was great to see. Some of the drivers I knew were teasing me at the start of the day “You’re going to win this year” and I couldn’t resist responding “I’m going to try and prove you right!”. Driving the course, I nicked the edge of one of the barrels and I thought “there goes my first place”, but I guess others had more nicks. It was really special to win. It was an honor to get a letter in the mail from our company CEO congratulating me. But the best honor was that day, and is every day, how proud my daughter is of her mom and what I do for my chosen career.
First Female winner at Ontario Concrete Rodeo!
We are all very proud of Colleen , and all the women working as CDPs across Ontario. They are part of the solution to the many challenges and opportunities within our industry, and we appreciate the support of anyone who is positive and supportive of women in the transportation industry. Join us as we come together, problem solve, share ideas and help promote our industry to future generations as a viable career option. To learn more about building a career as a Concrete Delivery Professional (CDP), visit: www.rmcao.org/careers/
Consider the advantages of an exciting new career: Home Every Night. Ready-mix concrete has a shelf-life of approximately 2 hours, meaning it must be delivered locally. For the most part CDPs can expect to be home every night, allowing for a great work-life balance! Great Pay & Benefits. Full-time day shift schedules, health insurance plans, paid vacations, safety bonuses, and retirement plans are some of the benefits offered in the industry. As higher levels of seniority are achieved, the greater the rewards available are. Pride in Project Completion. CDPs help to build cities and communities. You can feel a sense of accomplishment as projects are completed. Being a part of a project from beginning to end is a memorable experience – be one of the few who are proud to say, “I helped build that.” More than A Driver. As a CDP, you are a critical part of a concrete operations team. In addition to being a driver, a CDP quickly evolves into a product expert. Concrete is a unique and versatile product, working with a variety of mixes daily gives CDPs a vast amount of technical expertise. Onsite experience is invaluable for a company and CDPs are at the forefront of ensuring product quality.
It is important to promote the success and accomplishments of our team and our industry’s continual growth. We look forward to you joining the Ontario Concrete Industry!
I wanted to touch base with you now that I am almost 3 full weeks into my training. I am having an amazing time! Everyone at CHET is so awesome and helpful! I am Loving soaking up all of their knowledge!!!!
Last Friday Richard took me out on the road for My first time ever driving and it was the most amazing experience! There I was, finally doing what I am here to learn how to do and not only did I drive Bobtail for my first time I also pulled a trailer loaded with 20,000 lbs of tires! That’s a day I will never forget…it was Pretty Awesome!!!! I haven’t stopped smiling since then!!!! And I’ve driven every chance I get since!
I completed and passed the “Z” endorsement course this past weekend as well which I was super excited about! Everything is coming along so quickly!!!!
Phillip Fletcher and Dana Allard
Thank You again to The Woman’s Trucking Federation of Canada and CHET for this opportunity, I promise to make you all proud of Me. Have a wonderful day! Stay Healthy and Safe!
Commercial Heavy Equipment Training Ltd (CHET) is a corporate member of the Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada (WTFC) and through great members we are able to offer our 2nd full scholarship to one lucky lady!
Contest Details:
Submit a 500 word essay on why you want to become a truck driver
Must be a Canadian resident or have permanent resident Status
Valid Class G license required
Must provide own transportation to the training school
Those selected for an interview to move into the final selection stage will be contacted in January
Clean criminal record
Pass a drug and alcohol test
Ability to cross the border an asset, but not required
Please submit your essay via email only to inquiries@wtfc.ca
Commercial Heavy Equipment Training Ltd (CHET) is an approved Private Career College (PCC) under the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005. They are a proud member of theTruck Training Schools Associations of Ontario(TTSAO) which allows them to issue their certificate recognized by the insurance industry.
CHET 2421 Cawthra Rd Mississauga, ON
“At CHET, our focus is on you and your skills to ensure that you succeed in the profession. We value our students, their safety, and their training. You are important to us!”
For more information on CHET please visit www.chet.ca
We are very excited to announce the winner of our first scholarship program. Congratulations Kristy !!
We’d like to thank all the ladies who applied, it was a very difficult decision.
We will be closely following Kristy on her journey to become a Professional driver, and will post pictures and updates along the way.
This full scholarship wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of Crossroads Ottawa. Thank you Ken Adams for being a supporter of women in the trucking industry, your support and commitment to WTFC is very much appreciated.
Her essay:
I grew up on a Sow farm operation. I was exposed to the truck driving industry young as my father would drive truck to supplement the farms income. I would enjoy our scenic drives across Ontario. It was nice to spend one on one time with my father as I was one of four children. This is where I learned to appreciate the work of a truck driver and the skills it takes such as patience, being a self-starter and good work ethic. This is where I also noticed the lack
of female truck drivers.
Throughout the years I have been exposed to the truck driving industry, especially since my husband is a full-time truck driver and car hauler. I have been able to enjoy the time spent in the truck and learn the business side of being a owner-operator. That is why I decided to write this essay, I want to be a truck driver. I would love to see North America, have independence and job security. It would be an amazing opportunity to be a female truck driver and represent your organization. I would love to be a female car hauler, I have been exposed to this industry for a number of years and I have never seen a female within the industry.
I would like the opportunity to work in this industry and prove that I have the skills and endurance to be successful. I believe that women can do anything and can be extraordinary in this male dominated profession. If given this scholarship opportunity I would advocate for women and the truck driving industry. This industry is lacking women and I feel more woman truck drivers would be beneficial as generally women are more mindful. I feel that women
would pay better attention and ensure the job is being completed correctly. I would love the
chance to help make our highway safe.
As I am getting older a job in truck driving would be a perfect fit. It would give me the opportunity to see North America and promote good female drivers. A career as a truck driver can provide strong job security and a strong network of drivers. This career would give me the
opportunity to spend more time with my husband and be the one driving professionally. This career can bring a lot of variety and opportunities in life, which is always a good thing. I love to
drive and see where the highway can take you.
I truly believe the truck driving industry could use more female drivers. I believe that I am up to challenge of being a women truck driver and look forward to the opportunity. If given the chance, I know that I can do amazing things for women in trucking and help the industry as a whole. I believe that truck drivers need to work together to promote safety and respect within the profession. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay and I look forward to hearing from you.
Kristy
For information on upcoming classes and training from Crossroads Ottawa
Phillip Fletcher and Dana Allard
