Like the United States, Canada struggles with a persistent truck driver shortage, and it’s taking proactive measures to ensure freight transportation stability. Government officials are now investing $290,000 to train and onboard indigenous people to good-paying truck driver positions in British Columbia.
“B.C.’s professional commercial truck operators keep our supply chain moving and are an important part of our economy,” Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, reportedly said. “Including the (mandatory entry-level training) ensures commercial drivers have the skills needed to be safe and responsible as they prepare to join an in-demand profession.”
According to the Canadian Trucking Alliance, the country needs at least another 30,000 CDL professionals to maintain seamless supply chains. In British Columbia, reports indicate that truck driving job vacancies are problematic.
“Out of all of the drivers in British Columbia, about 10 to 12 percent of those positions are vacant. It’s a great opportunity to enter the industry, but it presents challenges for our members to staff the vehicles,” British Columbia Trucking Association president David Earle reportedly said earlier in 2022. “Every truck driver doesn’t do long haul work. There’s a lot of work and a lot of opportunities for people to come and work locally and be home every night. And working as a long haul driver can be very lucrative.”
Attrition and increased opportunities to haul local and regional loads have only exasperated over-the-road trucking vacancies. That’s largely why the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction is offering people within the tribal Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc entity Community and Employment Partnerships grants. The money will reportedly fund the training of eight eligible Indigenous people and prepare them for trucking jobs in the Kamloops area of British Columbia.
“B.C. wants more professional truck drivers, and Indigenous people in the Interior want training supports to get good work,” Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Sheila Malcolmson reportedly stated. “We’re funding new training, so people get work experience and support to land the jobs they want.”
Those who participate receive 15 weeks of soft skills, communication, and mandatory entry-level training. Aspiring truckers also receive seven weeks of on-the-job training and two weeks of job search support.
“This program will help Indigenous people develop the skills and experience they need to secure well-paid trucking jobs in the region,” Andrew Mercier, Minister of State for Workforce Development, reportedly said. “Skills training, such as this, aligns with our Future Ready plan, which is making it easier and more affordable for British Columbians to gain the skills and training they need to get in-demand, good-paying jobs.”
Canada and the U.S. have a variety of outreach programs in place designed to attract a more diverse workforce. Despite the short-term success of attracting more women and underrepresented populations, the shortage of truck drivers is expected to increase in 2023.
Sources: trucknews.com, einnews.com, efjctoday.com
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