In honour of International Women’s Day on March 8, 2025, Musket Transport. is proud to announce Jasna K as the recipient of our 2025 AZ Grant. This initiative aims to support women entering the trucking industry and addresses the gender imbalance in transportation.
“As a private carrier and career college, we recognize the importance of actively supporting women in the trucking industry,” states Sophia Sniegowski Begidzhanov, Corporate Communications Officer for Musket Transport. “The AZ Grant for Women is our commitment to breaking financial barriers and opening doors to rewarding careers in transportation. An AZ license is more than just a certification—it’s a gateway to opportunity. We’ve heard firsthand from our recipients and applicants how impactful it is to have an employer-funded grant with a direct path to employment. For new drivers, securing that first job can be a challenge, and we’re proud to provide both the training and the career opportunities that make all the difference.”
About the Winner
Jasna brings a wealth of experience from the automotive and truck industry. Her passion for vehicles, combined with her mechanical expertise, provides her with a unique advantage in understanding vehicle maintenance and troubleshooting—essential skills for a professional driver.
“I believe that trucking is for everyone regardless of gender. You just need to be responsible and reliable,” says Jasna. “I like the idea of independence and the opportunity to learn new skills so I can be a reliable and skilled truck driver. It’s freedom.”
Jasna’s background in precision-based work has honed her attention to detail, a crucial quality for ensuring safety and efficiency on the road. She values punctuality, responsibility, commitment, and respect—all essential qualities for a professional truck driver.
Jasna had this to say in her application essay about the opportunity that winning a grant like this would present: “As I continue my training in truck driving school, I am eager to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to become a professional driver. Obtaining my AZ license will open doors to various opportunities, including local and long-haul trucking. I am prepared to handle the demands of this profession and committed to upholding the highest standards of safety and professionalism.”
“I want to thank CHET driving school and Musket for giving me a chance to spread my wings, learn new things, and become a truck driver,” Jasna expressed upon receiving the grant.
Celebrating Women in Transportation
As part of our International Women’s Day celebration, we’re proud to highlight the contributions of two women working at Musket Transport.
Jennifer, who works in our Trailer Division handling customer service and dispatching, exemplifies the growing presence and impact of women in operations. With over five years of experience in transportation, including previous work at Cascades, Jennifer brings valuable perspective to our team.
In her role, Jennifer has developed a deeper understanding of the industry’s challenges and opportunities. “Working directly with drivers has given me a lot more sympathy for them, especially when I’m driving on the road. I understand the challenges better now,” she explains. Jennifer notes that while transportation remains traditionally male-dominated, she has witnessed positive changes in recent years: “My team specifically is mostly made up of women. I think there’s more of a caring aspect when women are in the industry.”
When asked what advice she would give to women considering entering the transportation industry, Jennifer responded enthusiastically, “I would just say get on it. There’s nothing that would stop a woman from coming into the industry. If you’re interested in trucking or logistics or anything like that, I would just go for it.” She particularly emphasizes the importance of asking questions and learning from experienced colleagues: “I found that if I wasn’t sure about something, I would make sure to ask about it rather than risk making a mistake.”
Working in our container division, Anu manages a complex operation coordinating 46 drivers and hundreds of deliveries. While she initially felt uncertain about the transition, with support from colleagues like Chris and Michael, she mastered the role’s challenges. “At first it was very challenging,” Anu shares, “but with the support of all other people, I could get used to it and now I really enjoy it.”
What makes Anu’s story particularly inspiring is her perspective on overcoming challenges in a traditionally male-dominated industry. She emphasizes the importance of staying calm, being detail-oriented, and maintaining clear communication. “As a dispatcher, you need to expect delays and conflicts,” she advises, “but staying calm and focusing on reasoning rather than emotions is key.”
Musket’s Commitment to Diversity
At Musket Transport, we believe that diversity strengthens our team and improves our service. The AZ Grant program is just one aspect of our ongoing commitment to supporting women in transportation. By increasing visibility and providing opportunities, we aim to attract more women to the industry.
The trucking industry offers stability, growth opportunities, and competitive wages—benefits that should be equally accessible to all qualified individuals regardless of gender.
Sandra G, CHET Operations Manager had this to say in regards to the grant: “The benefits of the AZ Grant for Woman is instrumental to the industry, we are privileged to have an owner that sees the value of woman in logistics as we at Musket Transport have 8 ladies on the road in all lanes that Musket runs, which means the AZ grant participant for 2025 will have such a network to build from as our ladies are able to train the new lady driver and provide her support through her career at Musket.”
“The grant that is provided from Musket is a great initiative as you are trained by CHET and then are provided your first job as a professional driver so there is no worry about employment, you are mentored for the specific lane to start in and then you have the ability to change lanes and move from the container industry to the trailer industry so there is no reason to be out of work when there is a slow down, I cannot thank Musket Transport enough to provide this funding and position to a lady, as the industry is seeing more woman come into this profession they are realizing that woman do not take risk, will ask the proper questions, will make sure the equipment is in proper working order and we of course complete the paperwork properly!”
We congratulate Jasna on her achievement and look forward to supporting her journey toward becoming a professional AZ driver. We also thank all the women at Musket who contribute daily to our success and the advancement of the transportation industry.
Announcing Our Next AZ Grant Opportunity
When one grant closes, another one opens! We’re excited to announce that on International Women’s Day (March 8, 2025), we will be opening applications for our next AZ Grant for Women, specifically targeting residents of Halton & Hamilton regions who wish to train at our Burlington Campus.
This grant continues our commitment to increasing gender diversity in the transportation industry by providing financial support for women pursuing their AZ license.
“To any woman considering this grant: believe in yourself and your dreams,” said 2024 AZ Grant Winner, Pornruth. “The path might seem daunting, but with courage, determination, and heart, you can overcome any obstacle. Take it one step at a time, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Remember, opportunities like this can change your life. If I can do it, so can you!”
Applications will be accepted from March 8 – May 5, 2025. Interested candidates can apply online at https://chet.ca/grant-application/
We encourage all eligible women with an interest in professional driving to apply. Join Jasna and Pornruth and the growing community of women making their mark in the transportation industry!