OTTAWA, ON – Trucking HR Canada has established a new advisory committee – Youth with Drive – that will focus on ways to attract more young workers to trucking.

It’s no small task. The average Canadian truck driver is now 47.1 years old, which is four years older than the average Canadian worker, and fewer than 15% of drivers are between 25 and 34. To compound matters, a recent study prepared for the Canadian Trucking Alliance also projects a shortage of 34,000 drivers by 2024.

“Trucking employers from across the country are working with us and providing guidance as we develop a plan, to help start reversing this trend,” says Angela Splinter, CEO of Trucking HR Canada.

The new committee will guide Trucking HR Canada as it develops a national youth employment strategy to increase awareness about available careers, share strategies to recruit and retain younger workers, and develop “practical tools” for employers, Trucking HR Canada says.

Members of the committee include:

• Jared Bragg, VP, Sales and Operations – Triton Transport (British Columbia)
• Stephanie Carruth, HR and Risk Management – One for Freight (Ontario)
• Andreea Crisan, OOC, EVP – Andy Transport (Quebec)
• Elias Demangos, President – Fortigo Freight (Ontario)
• Donnie Jr. Fillmore, President and General Manager – AP Transport (Atlantic)
• Ryan Gray – Clarke Transportation (Atlantic)
• Amanda Hall, Regional HR Manager – Midland Transport (Ontario)
• Shelley MacDonald, Senior Manager HR/People Development – Bison Transport (Manitoba)
• Kevin Svenkeson, VP, Operations – Martin-Brower (National)
• Jonathan Wahba, COO – Kriska Holdings (Ontario)
• Daryn Willis, Manager – Risk Management – Siemens Transportation Group Inc. (Saskatchewan)

Trucking HR Canada’s Women with Drive initiative and related advisory group has led to research projects, networking events, tools to establish mentorships, and a promotional video.