Women driving change in Saskatchewan's trucking industry

For Dayna Nippi, becoming a truck driver has always been a dream. 

"My dad asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up and I told him I wanted to be a truck driver," Nippi said. 

She remembers specifying she wanted to drive the large semi trucks, the ones with all the wheels.

While her dad may have forgotten the conversation, Nippi's passion for driving never faded.

Now, as a mother of two, Nippi is making her dream a reality with a program designed for women entering the trucking industry. 

Through the Woman Shifting Gears program, she's gaining the skills and confidence to pursue the career she's longed for. 

"I just didn't know how to get into it," Nippi said. "It was kind of intimidating."

Now, with the support of the program, Nippi is overcoming those barriers while working toward her 1A driver's license. 

Entering a male-dominated field

The Woman Shifting Gears program, run in partnership with YWCA Saskatoon, provides essential training and support for women entering a male-dominated field. 

"The program was originally sort of like, let's get women into trucking," said Pam McKay, manager of training programs with YWCA Saskatoon. "What can they do? Women can drive, let's do it." 

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The program offers hands-on training, such as simulator sessions and job-search preparation, all with a strong focus on safety. 

"We have people in the industry that will provide tours. They'll come in and speak," McKay said.

"By the time they're finished the program, they have a really good understanding of the different facets of truck driving and they can figure out where they might like to go."

Once students complete the 12-week program, they go through three weeks of driving experience.

"They're going to get to go out on the road for three weeks and experience what trucking is really like."

To earn a 1A license, students must pass an exam with 120 questions, allowing for no more than 12 incorrect answers to pass.

"They have really high standards," Nippi said. "It keeps a lot of people safe and I'm grateful for that, but it's challenging." 

Breaking into the industry

Women who obtain a 1A learners license through Women Shifting Gears can use their credentials to become a pilot driver with companies like Alpine Transport and Rigging.

"We have some amazing employees that are eager to learn, eager to train," said Stephanie Hnatuk-King, the company's owner and operations manager. "I don't believe that a lot of people know what opportunities exist in the industry — and they are endless." 

Hnatuk-King said she sees a growing number of women and young people entering the industry, but knows it's not an easy path.

"To dive into the field, and work in it amongst 99 per cent men, is not easy," Hnatuk-King said.

For Nippi, Women Shifting Gears has given her the confidence and skills to enter the industry.

As she builds a new career, she hopes to inspire her children through her hard work and determination.

"It really enriches their life, because I'm able to support them in so many ways." 

This story is from the This is Saskatchewan podcast — your connection to the stories Saskatchewan is talking about. Every week, Leisha Grebinski and Nichole Huck will cover local issues that matter. Hear the voices that are creating change, shaping policy and fuelling creativity in Saskatchewan.

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