The next time you’re driving down Highway 2 in Alberta and pass a semi truck with two connected 53-foot trailers, take a peek in the driver’s seat – you may surprised who you see.
Meet Cindy Kauk.
Since joining Walmart Fleet in 2016 she’s been hauling goods from our distribution centres to stores between Calgary and Edmonton and keeping Canadians fed. Cindy is part of a growing number of women who have decided to make trucking their career and Walmart their home.
Trucking is in Cindy’s blood: a fourth-generation trucker, her dad taught her to drive at a young age on a tractor at their family farm. Almost 40 years later, Cindy is proud to remain on the road and accident-free to continue growing her career at Walmart. She’s one of the first Walmart Fleet drivers to be certified to drive through British Columbia’s tricky mountain roads, one of first to pull a Long Combination Vehicle (LCV) and has proudly represented the company at the Alberta Truck Driving Championships twice.
But, as a woman in trucking, she’s quick to share that it hasn’t been an easy road. In 1985 when she began trucking, it was often an unfriendly environment for women. “It’s easier now than it was back then. In the ‘80s and 90s, they’d tell you to go back to the kitchen,” Cindy explains. “If I could start out nowadays, I would start out with Walmart. Women are welcome here”.
Today, as more women have joined the profession and excelled, perception has shifted. And while it’s still uncommon to see women behind the wheel of a semi truck, Cindy can’t think of a better job.
That’s why she’s passionate about encouraging women to join the trucking industry and, in particular, to join the team at Walmart.
With double the industry average of female truckers employed in the company’s private fleet, Walmart is actively recruiting, training and supporting a more diverse group of drivers. “The trucking industry needs more women,” shares Francis Lalonde, Vice President Transportation, Walmart Canada. “I’m proud that we’re seeing more women than ever join our Walmart fleet family, which is a testament to the supportive environment, flexible schedules and overall opportunity to grow within transportation here. We want Walmart to be the employer of choice for women in trucking.”
Cindy wants to see more women in trucking at Walmart, too. “If women want to come work for Walmart, I’d recommend it 100%,” she shares. “Walmart is one of the best places I’ve worked for – they treat me like a person, there’s so much respect and you’re really a family here”.
Her advice to women who want to get started? Go to a good driving school and join a company like Walmart where there’s a focus on safety and where you can learn and grow.
Walmart Fleet is hiring! As a member of the Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada and as one of Canada’s ‘Top Fleet Employers 2021’, we’re an employer of choice for many reasons, including:
- No touch freight: Drivers do not load product on or off trucks
- Drivers are home daily, made possible by no long-haul, flexible shifts and local routes
- New equipment: all items are 5 years old or less
- Competitive wages, including shift premiums and safety bonus
- Benefits including Health & Dental, Pension Plan (Company Matching), RRSP/TFSA programs, Associate Share Purchase Plan, Paid Sick Time, Employee Discount, Safety Shoe Reimbursement and Advanced Education Program
To apply, visit: http://drive4walmart.ca
