Newbie starting school, looking for some help with a funding questionnaire

Hello All!

New member, first time poster.

I'm based in Trail BC and am considering MTI's 'MTI Way' program (out of Castlegar BC). I've done several forum searches and from what I gather, they are an excellent school but also the most expensive. They do however boast having a very high graduate employment rate -at better pay than if one just started out with a class 1 and no experience. I was wondering if there are any recent (Last year or so) students from that school who would like to share their experience with me?

That being said, any information from people who chose a different route would also be greatly appreciated!

My other query, as mentioned in the thread title is a funding questionnaire. I am in the process of applying for funding through the Employment Program of BC. The program will supply up to $7500 towards school. One of the hoops I have to jump through is a series of "Informal Interviews"; two from industry employers and one form an industry employee. It's a short interview, with 11 questions which I'll post below. It does however require a company name, contact person name and a phone# or email address, so I understand if there are trust issues.

If anybody out there is willing to help a brother out, it would really be appreciated! We could do the interview here on the forum, forum pm, via private email, telephone, skype or even in person if any of you are driving through the west kootenays in the near future! It would only take 15 minutes or so.

Thanks for reading, -if you made it this far!

Art.

 

Here's the questionnaire, It's a government form so yes some of these are pretty hokey. I've filled in what I think the obvious answers are already, feel free to correct me if you think I'm wrong. I can also send a copy in .doc format

Getting this answered and my application together is worth over $7000, so again, any help would be greatly appreciated!




Company: Contact Person/Position: Phone/Email:



1 What is the best advice you would give a person entering this occupation?


2 What qualities do you think employers are looking for?


3 What training is required for this position? What training do you have?


Class 1 driver’s training, Airbrake certification.
The ‘what training do yo have’ would include additional things like TDG, H2S and such


4 What do you like least and most about this type of work?


5 What are your daily duties?


6 How often are there job openings? What type of work is available(e.g. casual, full time)?


Due to the shortage of drivers, jobs are always available, depending on experience. Many companies actively solicit applications on their websites as well as from driving schools. Full, casual, part time, contract and owner operator.


7 What is the entry level salary for this position?


8 How many potential employers are in the area?


Many, Companies are based in the Kootenays, Okanagan, Lower Mainland but many have depots in numerous locations throught the province and country. I mentioned these three locations because I live in the Kootenays.


9 Where else in BC or Canada is there work in this field?


All across the country, Travel is the very nature of this business. Work extends into the USA as well.


10 Who else would you recommend I talk to?


11 Any other comments or questions?