Where To Get Training

You're welcome, Here's some more info that may be relevant to you and will give you an idea about life out west. For reference I went through the program at Valley in Chilliwack, finished it about 5 - 6 weeks ago. I have spent at least 3-4 hours - 5 days a week, pounding the pavement = researching, calling, and meeting with companies looking for a driving position. In the past 5 or so weeks I have had 2 job opportunities, one with a company driving straight trucks with no room for advancement so they will be a last resort, and the other I went and tested and interviewed with them, they have tri-axle flatdecks, but the company situation there is, how do you say it politely, not beneficial to a new driver and could end up being a can of worms in terms of equipment liabilities and legalities. However, I was told that they were very satisfied with what they saw in terms of the road test I did with them.

At Valley I trained on a 53' van with a 13 speed and a gross weight of 65,000lbs, and was able to pick up the companies' 15 speed truck and trailer grossing 85,000lbs real quick, which is fairly different in operation. I felt that Valley's training program prepared me well for the company road test, which in a way can be harder than the actual ICBC road tests. I suspect it will take me another 4-6 weeks of looking before I find a good company to start with who is willing and able to hire a new driver, but there was someone on here last month who has been looking for over 6 months now and just threw in the towel, couldn't find any work.

In terms of my employability, (and I don't mean to gloat), but I am fairly high up on the ranks when it comes to new drivers. I am clean cut and have a no-nonsense professional attitude, have a completely clean N-print (national commercial abstract), have taken additional mountain training with Valley, have TDG, valid passport, have no criminal record and have held security clearances (I'm coming from a justice and law enforcement background) and I earned the highest ICBC pre-trip and road test marks that Valley has ever seen, in one of their more difficult locations to test (Chilliwack has the added benefit of having lots of old town narrow streets, and you get to do some fun things like a 5 and a half lane right-hand turn, where the bi-secting road is less than 90 degrees, roughly on a 60 degree angle, kind of like kissing your own butt in the middle of traffic.

Talking to new drivers over the past year or two, I get the impression that most people have an in with a company they already work for, or they know a friend, or a family member who helps them get started in the trucking business. Its very much a who you know world out west here, probably the same at your home.

Your criminal record might really make life hard for you in terms of finding a good job with a reputable company. Every company I have talked to wants to know if I can run into the states. Also the severity / nature of the offence will determine whether you may get a pardon in the near future, which companies will be interested in. I'm not up on my US Law, but in Canada if your offence was being a nuisance and raising hell at 2 in the morning, you will find a job in the transportation industry easier than if you have a serious offence such as a DUI, rape charge, ag. assault, veh. manslaughter, etc. in your recent history.

Good luck out there and stay safe.

 

Just to get a FAST card you have to be clean as far as past occurances in the legal system.
Know long time Canadian drivers DENIED a FAST card as a result of a minor Firearms charge , Duck Hunting on a Sunday when they were teenagers.

 

thats an ontario driving school....

 

Yup im in the same boat trying to find a driving job, theres not much out there for newbies and theres 100 people applying for the same jobs. I took valley out of langley and it was great training.

 

Dan2020, move very cautiously as not being able to cross the border is a huge strike against you. Couple that with being a new entrant to the industry and your chances get slimmer every day. Nate 980 can't find what he's looking for and he can and will cross the border. Now if you move you Yellowknife I am sure they don'y give a #### but as long as you live along the 49th parallel it will continue to be a hurdle.

 

Cant drive in the states yet, Not 21.... I had an interview for a job that was all us driving mostly and then realized after i couldnt take it

 

oilpatch reddeer calgary edmonton leduc nisku. you will find dozens of companies that don't care if you can get into the US or not. couple years back you didn't even need a pulse, if your carcass was still warm they'doffer you a job. and its way better $ than longhaul

 

This is what I'm hoping for. I've seen postings for positions that are very well paying and they don't care about experience saying "will train".
My driver training starts in a couple of weeks. After that it's time to try for Alberta because BC sucks for trucking jobs if you're a newb.

 

no you mean BC sucks for drivers if you don't have a turban so my buddies out there say