Registration for Trucking HR Canada\u2019s 2016 Women with Drive summit has officially opened, promising new insights into strategies that can help attract, recruit and retain more women in the trucking industry.<\/p>\n
The second annual event will be held March 3, 2016 and hosted at the Crowne Plaza \u2013 Toronto Airport Hotel.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis summit offers all delegates the chance to explore one of the trucking industry\u2019s biggest Human Resources challenges,\u201d says Angela Splinter, CEO of Trucking HR Canada. \u201cWomen account for 48% of the workers in Canada\u2019s labour force, but just 3% of drivers, mechanics, technicians and cargo workers. Fleets can\u2019t afford to overlook such an underrepresented group if they hope to address future personnel needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
The summit has emerged as part of the broader Women with Drive initiative, which has developed a series of strategies to equip employers with tools that will enhance the effectiveness of employment practices and ultimately support more women in the trucking industry.<\/p>\n
The day\u2019s agenda kicks off with a high-profile panel of senior managers discussing the rising focus of diversity and workplace inclusion. Panelists will include Kelley Platt, Western Star Trucks president and Daimler Trucks North America chief diversity officer; Jennifer Laidlaw, CIBC Gender Diversity & Inclusion; and Shannon MacDonald, Deloitte\u2019s chief inclusion officer.<\/p>\n
The panel will be followed by a presentation from Steve Osiel of Accompass, a leading expert in compensation practices, offering insights on compensation strategies.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re also building on feedback from last year\u2019s event, adding a new panel of women drivers who will discuss what attracted them to the industry, and the challenges they\u2019ve faced on the road,\u201d says Splinter, referring to one of the afternoon sessions.<\/p>\n
Another new feature this year is \u201cspeed learning\u201d. In this session, participants will move through a series of 15-minute presentations offering practical advice on key human resources topics such as personal branding, networking, gender communications, and more. The summit will conclude with a panel of women who have been recognized as emerging leaders in the trucking industry.<\/p>\n