Newbie question - please be gentle!

Just due to COVID I don’t think that’s the best approach. I’ve seen lots of offices with memos on the door turning unsolicited people away.

Most of those outfits should have someone handling recruitment, give them a call and discuss your plans with the recruiter.

 

Just wait until sleepy Joe gets ahold of the reins.

 

We'll be just as screwed.

 

Assuming that it generally works the same way in Canada as it does here, apply at companies that provide CDL training. You’ll probably have to do the same thing that you’re facing now, agreeing to work for the company for a fixed period (usually one year) to pay off your training, but you’ll be driving a truck to do it.

 

Just want to make a point that OP posted in the Canadian thread, yet Americans are giving him the bulk of the advice which will only mislead. USA is a different beast.

In Canada you don't have as many options for training. If you're not going through Employment Insurance or WorkComp to pay for your CDL then you must finance it yourself. From my last understanding, the law is against lurking workers into a field and locking them into a work-contract. Unlike in America. Since OP states he is employed, he will have to finance everything himself. At which point of successful graduation and attainment of articulated trucking driving license, he will be posed to the forces of inexperience. From my recollection the only companies to hire rookies are owner-ops for team, or small companies owned by immigrants; typically East-Indian, Fijian, or East-Euro. They usually overlook the 2-year experience requirement, however, problems with equipment and pay arise.

Canada's laws exist to protect the worker from certain forms of abuse, yet expose them to numerous others as result of those very laws in place. The whole process and system is in need of reform, but we've been talking about the for the last 40 years. Good luck OP, also Edmonton? ouch that's cold.

 

I would avoid getting trapped into a company by having them pay for your training.

 

Not sure of your status, so I am not sure if you would qualify for student loan to pay for the Class 1 course or not, it's something to explore. Lot's of small owners looking for guys and they usually care less than the bigger companies about having years of experience, but not always. I ma not sure f any of the driving companies will allow a finance deal or not, but one option for work is temp agencies, they seem to be very short of people for warehouse work. Sometimes its a foot in the door, and sometimes is actually long term work in a warehouse. May keep you going till you get the license and get something driving.

I wish you luck, and completely understand how you feel. I was an O/O in my 20's then got a trade ticket and went into oil/gas, then into the office for the last 15 years. Have been feel stuck in cubicle hell for a number of years, then covid hit. Lost my job and was dire straights for work, ended up driving for a small outfit here in Calgary, and remembered how much I love doing it. I ma back in cubicle land right now, and hopefully very temporarily, as I am currently working on a deal to buy a truck then haul flatdeck Can/US for a company out of Vancouver!

 

Just buy the license out of a crackerjack box like everyone else that moves here to drive truck.

Seriously some of these clowns are unfit to push a wheelbarrow through an open field.