Nicole Hodgins’ career and passion for trucking started when she was 17, working in a dispatch office. From there, her passion for trucking became her life. “I made it my mission to treat everyone with compassion and kindness, and bring smiles and laughter wherever possible.

This approach helped me grow through various roles in dispatch, administration, and safety into my current position on the Whitecourt Transport (WTI) management team as the Administration Manager.” Nicole has been in the industry for over 20 years and embraces the positivity Whitecourt Transport inspires. “Our team at WTI is more like our family. I have never worked in an environment with such a sincere focus on the success of its people and work-life balance. I have witnessed enormous amounts of positive change in the past two years here that emphasize personal growth, company growth, community involvement, driver safety, mental health, and wellness, for which we won an award this past fall with Trucking HR Canada.” Nicole credits her department of Pat, Lori, Taylor, Jen, Erin, and Melanie for helping to implement many positive initiatives. “With direction from our leadership team, we have built a fantastic place to work.”

Whitecourt Transport began in 1939 out of Mayerthorpe, Alberta, as “Nick’s Truck Service.” From there, it has grown into a diversified equipment contracting and transportation service provider specializing in hauling bulk wood fibre, LTL freight services, warehousing, and heavy equipment contracting. A lot has changed over the past 85 years and the need to respond to changing safety requirements is a top priority. Nicole and her team at Whitecourt Transport understand constant adaptation is needed to meet evolving needs. “Safety within our industry is such a sensitive topic and it’s a never-ending battle to bring old-school and new-age drivers together on the same page with the standards we must achieve within transportation. Balancing safety and production can be a struggle – especially keeping employees safety-focused and engaged. Our safety coordinator gets it! Erin puts herself in others’ shoes, showing them that safety is possible from where they stand, all while being productive.” Nicole reiterates that you can never stop improving safety in the trucking industry. “WTI has recently made some bigger, safety-focused advances within the organization to better keep that safety focus by implementing the Samsara ELD system. This gives us a view into road safety in many different ways, from log book compliance to AI-assisted educational tools. We have also completely revamped our safety program with new policies, procedures, and educational training videos made right here within our organization.”

Nicole was introduced to AMTA two years ago, shortly after she started with Whitecourt Transport. “I was able to join Michelle Spacil and her team at the driver appreciation this past fall, handing out gift bags and snacks to our local drivers here in Whitecourt. I love simple gestures to show our people on the roads, who are away from their families, that we see and appreciate them!” Nicole’s team was also featured in the Women in Industry Spotlight this past fall, which she says speaks for itself. “Transportation is often negatively perceived. Thankfully, the AMTA is doing a lot of good work to help drive change and highlight the positive attributes of the industry. They also offer a wide variety of online training and seminars to help newcomers, and even the old-timers, learn new tricks of the trade.”

One of Nicole’s favourite parts of working in the transportation industry is diversity and change. “There is so much more to trucking than just driving! There is mechanical, construction, administration, safety, training, driving, and the opportunity to grow in so many of those areas.” Her advice to someone considering a career in the trucking industry is to be compassionate. “Trucking is hard; it can be thankless at times, so be kind to those around you. Know that you are working hard for more than just yourself. You’re working for the communities that rely on you and you are appreciated by more than just the people who sign your check. Offer a word of encouragement, learn as much as you can, be humble to those who are willing to help you, never settle until you have reached your goals, and last but not least, remember that safety isn’t just a pair of boots and a piece of paper, it’s a mindset, and it begins with you.”

When Nicole isn’t with her team at Whitecourt Transport, she spends time with her family. “Camping and nature are sure favourites for us. Kayaking and fishing are a must, as are building relationships within our community and enjoying some of life’s simpler things, like a delicious coffee by a campfire.”