For many women, stepping into the trucking industry can feel daunting. It’s a space where strength, skill, and determination are key—and where tradition has often dictated that men take the wheel. But barriers are made to be broken.
One woman recently defied expectations and earned her DZ license, proving that passion and perseverance make all the difference. She trained at Modern Training, a school where support and encouragement are the foundation of success. Their instructors go beyond technical lessons, offering guidance, pep talks, and motivation on test day.
“Stan was, to put it mildly, awesome! The other instructors, Kevin and Moe, were super nice and encouraging as well. They made a huge effort to get me ready for test day .”
Like many women entering a male-dominated field, she faced doubts—especially about mastering manual transmission. But her instructor, Stan, gave her game-changing advice:
“He told me my primary goal should be to get the license first—manual skills can come later. That advice was invaluable, as there was so much other information I needed to cement in my head before test day.”
Even after earning her license, she couldn’t shake the worry—would a company give her a chance if her manual skills weren’t perfect? That’s when Shelley Walker, CEO Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada , reminded her of something powerful:
“Just go for it! Don’t worry about whether you’re good enough. We are often our own worst critics.”
Those words stuck. Women belong in every industry, including trucking, and sometimes all it takes is a leap of faith.
Now that she’s passed, she’s aiming high, with a vision of joining a cement company and building a fulfilling career in a hands-on industry. She’s already taking steps to set herself apart, reaching out to Concrete Ontario to enroll in their Concrete Delivery Specialist program—proof of her commitment to excelling in the field.
Yet, like many women breaking into trucking, she acknowledges the challenges ahead:
“I still have some insecurities, but hopefully in time my confidence will grow, and I will fit right in with the rest of them.”
Her story is a powerful reminder that women belong in every industry—including those traditionally reserved for men. Whether behind the wheel of a cement truck or navigating new career paths, women are proving every day that they are capable, resilient, and unstoppable.
If you’ve ever thought about earning your DZ license, know that the road is yours to take. With the right support, determination, and a touch of courage, you can drive toward your own success story.
Ready to start your journey? Modern Training might be the perfect place to begin!
Compensation: $70,000 + Benefits: Medical and Dental after six months of service, and self-directed pension contributions and one year of service. PACART, Canada’s most respected fine art transport company has a full-time position available in our Toronto location, for an Ontario licensed class AZ driver who is energetic, careful, conscientious, and pays attention to detail. The successful candidate will possess good interpersonal skills, be customer service oriented, and up to learning about the unique experiences and challenges in the exciting world of fine art transportation!
Requirements: • Must be able to work flexible hours • Possess a valid AZ class Ontario Driver’s License • Supply a current CVOR or drivers abstract • Possess a valid passport or PR card and able to travel between Canada and USA when required • Provide RCMP or provincial police background check • Pass a pre-employment drug test / screening and participate in a Drug and Alcohol program in accordance with USDOT regulations Assets to the position: • Relational knowledge of Metro Toronto • City driving experience • Knowledge of basic computer programs including Microsoft office • Bilingual ( Not a requirement ) • An interest in the Arts Scope of work: • Local driving throughout the GTA and Southern Ontario – both solo and with second driver/tech • Long distance driving – both solo and with second driver • Overnight or out-of-town driving up to a week at a time, and on rare occasions up to two weeks • Some onsite and warehouse packing *All training and equipment for packing and handling fine art will be provided by our trained drivers and fine aet technicians*
Skills Ontario is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting careers in the skilled trades and technologies to
Ontario youth through a variety of programs and competitions across the province.
We are looking to add a new member to our team in brand new position! We are adding a DZ driver and Trades and Tech
Truck Coordinator to our staff. Our employees enjoy a casual work environment, flexible schedules, and have a real
opportunity to make a difference! Skills Ontario also offers a pension and competitive benefits. The successful candidate
will be based in the Kitchener/Waterloo area.
Skills Ontario is strongly committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity within our organization and is an equal opportunity
employer. Representation throughout all programs is essential to Skills Ontario. Accommodations are available on request for
candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
DZ Driver – Skilled Trades and Tech Driver and Program Facilitator
(35-40 HOURS/WEEK)
STARTING AT $30.00-$35.00/HOUR (depending on experience)
Pension and benefits effective after completion of probationary period
The successful candidate will drive the mobile classroom across the province as it travels from school to school reaching
communities from Windsor to Cornwall to Thunder Bay. However, while possessing a DZ driver’s license is an essential
qualification, this is not purely a driving position. The driver will also help with set up of the vehicle and delivering the
program.
The Trades and Tech Mobile Classroom is a custom 2022 Freightliner M2-106, equipped with hydraulic slide outs, giving us
approximately 470 square feet of experiential learning space. This “classroom” is loaded with skilled trades equipment and
trainers for use by students in elementary and high school.
Skills Ontario is looking for a candidate who is willing to not just drive but also engage with students and be a part of our
team, working to ignite a passion for the Skilled Tech and Trades sectors in youth across the province.
The incumbent will be responsible for set up and take down of the mobile classroom (including operation of generators,
slide outs, set up of stairs and wheelchair lift), fueling and cleaning the truck, as well as maintaining ELD logbook records
and vehicle maintenance records.
Breakdown of duties:
• Driving – 25% of time
• Working at home or on site at a school/event delivering Skills Ontario programming – 75% of time
Successful candidates will:
• Have a DZ license
• Have a clean driving record
• At least 2 years driving experience
• Be passionate about or have experience in the Skilled Tech and Trades sectors
• Be able to help set up of equipment
• Experience working with youth would be an asset
• Fluency in French will be considered an asset
• Be willing to be away from home
How to apply:
Applicants should send one document which includes a resume and cover letter in PDF format outlining how they meet the specific
requirements of the position to Emily Collard ecollard@skillsontario.com no later than May 20th, 2022. Interviews are expected to
take place virtually during the month of May 2022.
While we sincerely appreciate all applications, only those candidates selected for interview will be contacted.
At Skills Ontario, we are committed to creating a safe and healthy environment for all youth. As such, the selected candidate will be
required to submit references and a vulnerable sector–criminal records check.
Proof of COVID vaccination will be required upon hiring.
According to a survey completed and published by Insurance Business Canada only 15% of Canadians surveyed said that they were confident that they feel ‘very prepared’ financially if the get too sick to report for work. 23% of Canadians answered that they are not at all prepared financially if they pass away too soon, the study also discovered. Only 16% said that they have purchased life insurance that would cover their remaining mortgage payments should they ever pass away.
If like me you can sometimes feel somewhat sceptical about stats it does however strike me that far too many of us are not prepared for the unexpected, the chances of experiencing a financial loss if you are unable to work due to injury or illness are frankly very worrying. There are of course a number of reasons that can be attributed to this; perceived cost, understanding of coverage, availability, where to get it.
As someone who works largely with Income Protection Insurance and other living benefits my advice would be to work with a broker, a broker works for you their client and not a specific insurance company this means that they can take the time needed to understand your needs and then advise you as to the best options available from the very many insurance companies.
Insurance has to be exact and legally binding for your own protection but it does not need to be difficult to understand, when you work with the right broker it will be explained clearly and without jargon so that you have the peace of mind of knowing that if and when the time comes you and your loved ones will be properly protected.
We all know that at some point we will die and we hope that it is at a ripe old age and so we can more readily accept the need and payout of life insurance.
Income protection of the other hand is a different story because we are more easily swayed that we will be fine because; • ‘I’m a healthy person’ • ‘ I’d just carry on going to work’ • ‘I can’t afford it’ • ‘I’ll dip into my savings’ • ‘my family will help’
The reality is that if we lose our ability to work and earn a living everything else will suffer, friends and family while might be willing to help will usually themselves be using all of their income for their own needs. Savings will be depleted this will have a negative impact on the subsequently growth of any capital that was invested and there will also be tax implications of withdrawing from your RRSP.
The bills will continue to come in and the family needs will not be reduced in fact if you have a family member in need of medical care it is more likely that the other wage earner in the family may need to take time away from work to become a carer, long or short term. If you are self-employed you may need to employ someone to carry work load of the lost worker, you.
When I am speaking with clients about their need for Income Protection far too often I am asked to complete insurance for them for accident coverage only. It is my job and ethical responsibility to explain the pit falls of this choice, what if you get sick? It might be that you are newly starting in business and so may need to start at a lower amount than you would like in order to suit your budget or that money is tight. Start where you can and work your way up to where you need to be if you have to. Just don’t have nothing. If I were to ask you how many reasons do you think there could be for not being able to go to work what would you say?
The answer I give is easy, it’s 2, if you become injured or if you become ill. It’s that simple. If you can’t work how will you keep the lights on, put food on the table and keep your home warm or even just keep your home. I could quote stats again but I don’t need to, I have firsthand experience of having to remind clients or their partners that no they are not covered for the sickness that has befallen them because they wanted to wait and add it later or they just didn’t think they needed illness coverage. It is the worst, the very worst phone call because by the time I receive it it’s too late, there is absolutely nothing that I can do about it.
The solution to making sure this is not you is simple: 1. Work with a broker that you like and trust. 2. Get insurance while you are healthy if you can, but you can still get good coverage if you have pre-existing conditions. 3. Review your coverage regularly 4. Just don’t have NOTHING, please. Be prepared for the unexpected and rest easy with the peace of mind that you and your family will be financially secure when the time comes. Make the call today to speak to a trusted adviser.
Fiona Stone – Owner Contact Fiona at fiona@stoneinsurance.ca
