The BC Professional (Truck) Driver Training Program is the result of an industry-led initiative to establish a training standard for professional truck drivers in this province. The program combines research on driver training programs, standards and best practices across Canada with input from trucking industry experts to create a standard that meets the needs of the truck transportation industry in BC. The program also provides potential driver trainees with a reliable and respected training alternative as a base for their careers.
The BC Industry Training Authority (ITA), the agency that oversees the province’s industry training and apprenticeship system, has granted provisional approval for the program. It is now ready for pilot testing, which will take place in mid-April 2010.
The Professional Driver Training Program includes the following components for trainees:
- eight weeks of classroom and practical training
- four weeks of unpaid Supervised Work Experience with a trained coach at a trucking company
- 1000 hours of paid Work-Based Learning with a trucking company
The pilot project requires both volunteer trainees and employers. During the pilot project, the program will be formally delivered to a small group of trainees, with the participation of trucking companies who commit to guiding them through the Supervised Work Experience and Work-Based Learning terms.
Importantly, tuition for trainees who participate in the pilot project is free.
And, employers are eligible for tax credits of up to $4000 per trainee per year to help offset the cost of the trainee’s wages during Work-Based Learning.
Interested? Please read the information for trainees and/or employers below.
Trainees
If you dream of a driving career, this pilot project is a prime opportunity to receive quality training with significant cost savings and a built-in requirement to gain over 1000 paid hours of experience with an industry employer. You must meet a set of prerequisites prior to applying to the program, to help you judge your own commitment to the training program and to your career choice. In the short term, you will also need to be able to cover your own living expenses during the first 12 weeks of the program (although financial assistance may also be available).
If you think you’ve got what it takes, read on:
The Trainee Application Check List includes a link to the program application form.
Employers
You may have experienced the challenge of finding qualified professional drivers in a competitive market. Although the economic downturn has temporarily increased the number of experienced, professional drivers available for work, this labour pool will disappear again once the economy improves. You may also know that the quality and extent of training for new recruits can vary widely. This pilot project lets you work with and guide promising, pre-qualified individuals – trainees who are willing to invest time and effort in achieving a broad range of skills and extensive driving experience prior to permanent employment.
You will meet and interview trainees before placement so that you know a potential trainee will fit well within your operation. You also have a unique opportunity to guide a trainee and assess his or her skills on the job. And, you may gain a well-known, qualified employee at the end of the process. Complete details on the role of employer sponsors are included at the following links:
The Employer Application Check List includes a link to the program application form.
The BC Professional (Truck) Driver Training Program pilot project is a joint undertaking of the BC Trucking Association and transCDA.