Ontario Government and
Trucking Industry Create New Apprenticeship For Tractor Trailer
Drivers
TORONTO (Nov. 21, 2005) – The Ontario government
is helping the trucking industry meet its need for skilled workers and improving
road safety by creating an apprenticeship for truck drivers, Chris Bentley, the
Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, announced at the annual
convention of the Ontario Trucking Association.
“In today’s economy, prosperity depends
upon having a skilled workforce,” said Bentley. “Truck driving is
one of the most common occupations in Canada. This new apprenticeship will
improve driver education, support the trucking industry’s commitment to
training and the growth of the sector, and build a pool of skilled
drivers.”
The voluntary program was developed in conjunction
with the industry and other interested groups. It will train apprentice
tractor-trailer commercial drivers to plan trips and inspect equipment, safely
handle cargo, conduct routine vehicle checks, and prepare documentation,
including bills of lading, border crossing security and custom
forms.
Training will be voluntary and available for people
who want to become apprentice drivers starting early in 2006.
“For the first time the government has
recognized that a truck driver is a skilled professional, not an unskilled
worker. This is a big step forward for the trucking industry,” said David
Bradley, president of the Ontario Trucking Association.
“Teamsters Canada feels that this is taking
‘one giant step’ forward as it recognizes that the profession of
truck driver is a skilled position. With the number of drivers in the workforce
that are retiring and the shortage of skilled drivers, it is of the utmost
importance to replace these drivers and hire additional drivers,” said Bud
McAulay, assistant freight director at Teamsters of Canada.
“This new training program will help address the
shortage of experienced, qualified drivers in an industry that is vital to
Ontario’s economy. Every year Ontario’s highways carry almost $1.2
trillion worth of goods,” said Transportation Minister Harinder Takar.
Ontario has Canada’s largest apprenticeship
training system with over 140 trades. The Ontario government has introduced the
Apprenticeship Training Tax Credit to encourage more employers to train
apprentices. Apprenticeship training will be a key feature of Ontario’s
new One-Stop Training and Employment System, a seamless and co-ordinated
training network.
“The McGuinty government intends to increase the
number of new apprentice registrations by 7,000 to a total of 26,000 annually in
2007-08,” said Bentley.
Backgrounder -- Tractor-trailer commercial driver
apprenticeship
The McGuinty government has announced a new, voluntary
apprenticeship for the trade of tractor-trailer commercial driver. This
designation as new trade will support the trucking industry’s commitment
to training and growth and provide skilled drivers for
employers.
Apprentices will participate in about 12 weeks of
training with a mentor and 40 weeks of on-the-job training. During their
training, apprentices will learn to:
- Plan trips and inspect equipment
- Safely handle and secure cargo
- Conduct routine vehicle checks and report problems
- Prepare documentation including bills of lading, border crossing and custom forms.
Participants will also learn other critical skills,
such as developing a deeper understanding of the life-style adjustments of
long-distance driving, application of appropriate laws, customer service, safety
regulations and the principles of the trucking business.
To be eligible for training, apprentices will need a
valid Ontario AZ license or equivalent. The new voluntary trade will be
regulated under the Apprenticeship and Certification Act. Employers will be
ready to accept apprentices early in 2006.
The new program has been under development since early
2004. It was created through the support of the Ontario Trucking Association,
the Insurance Bureau of Canada, Teamsters Canada, MacKinnon Transport, KRTS
Transportation Specialists, and Fanshawe College with support from: L.E. Walker
Transport, Canpar, Lodwick, OK Transport, Spring Creek Carriers, Trendway
Transportation, TST Truckload Express, XTL, Liberty Linehaul, Kurtz Trucking,
Yanke Group, the Owner-Operator’s Business Association of Canada, Cowan
Insurance Brokers, Professional Truck Drivers Institute, I Truck Assist, Career
Shift, the Advisory Council for Truck Safety and the Canadian Trucking Human
Resource Council.
Source: Ministry News Release,
www.edu.gov.on.ca
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