Worksystems is excited to receive a $388,000 grant, awarded by the Portland Justice Fund, to develop and manage a new trucking recruitment program over the next three years. The program will focus on recruiting, training and placing women and people of color in truck driving jobs throughout the region. These jobs will pay living wages and include benefits.

“These funds will be used to help women and people of color get the training they need to prepare for a rewarding career in the trucking industry,” said Worksystems Executive Director Andrew McGough. “This is a great opportunity for job seekers in our region.”

A recent report from the American Trucking Association (ATA) says that more drivers are needed to meet the rising demand in consumer goods and services, as well as an aging fleet of drivers. Currently, only 6 percent of commercial truck drivers are women, according to the ATA. This new program will help diversify the workforce and meet labor demands.

Partners on this project include the Teamsters, Constructing Hope, Oregon Tradeswomen and others.

The Portland Justice Fund is a donor-advised fund at Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund.