Trucking

A career in the PEI trucking sector: great careers for men and women

The PEI Trucking Sector Council (PEITSC) is an industry-driven, not-for-profit organization which addresses human resources issues and promotes opportunities in the PEI trucking industry.

The organization provides a vehicle for effective industry participation in identifying and addressing issues related to workforce attraction and retention, career awareness, skills upgrading, and training.

Truck Drivers and Truck & Transport Mechanics remain the jobs most in demand in this industry. PEITSC Executive Director Brian Oulton says his organization regularly does presentations to schools, government, and other stakeholders to emphasize the importance of trucking to the economy.

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How to apply to open positions

“People can apply directly to industry employers,” says Brian. Click here to find a list of open positions.

“We forward resumés regularly to industry employers, and we can help applicants ensure their resumes and accompanying documentation are strong. We also work with applicants to help them find opportunities they might not be aware of.”

Career examples

Straight Truck Driver (3A)
Short Haul Driver
Long Haul Driver
Truck and Transport Mechanic
Truck and Transport Mechanic Apprenticeship
Freight Broker
Driver Trainer

Dispatcher
Parts Technician
Safety and Compliance
Human Resources
Marketing
Finance
Paralegal
Nurse Practitioner

Wages

The wage range for Drivers depends on the type of work and how long the Drivers want to stay on the road. Long Haul Drivers can make $75,000 to $85,000 a year; those who drive are willing to stay out a bit longer can make up to $100,000 a year or more.

“The companies have stepped up their game in providing good wages. There are incentives for safety, good fuel mileage, and avoiding idling the trucks. Health benefits, RRSP contributions, and gym memberships are also offered.”

Brian says the industry is better at getting Drivers home. “In the past, the average Long Haul Driver was away two weeks at a time. Now the average is four or five days.”

For more information about careers in trucking, call the PEI Trucking Sector Council at 902-566-5563.

Visit www.peitsc.ca.

Women in trucking

“More women are moving into the trucking industry, but numbers are still quite low,” says Brian. “The number of women in trucking on PEI is currently around 13 percent of the workforce.”

How to check out if a career in trucking is for you

The Trucking Sector Council offers a full employment assessment to those interested in a career as a truck driver to ensure they are both eligible and capable of working in this profession.

This includes an Essential Skills assessment (TOWES), review of driver’s abstract for insurance purposes, review of the criminal background check, approval of driver’s medical report, and an industry presentation that highlights details about the career.

Training in Atlantic Canada

Truck and Transport Mechanic Apprenticeship training on PEI is now in its third year. “We had success working with companies and we had a high number of entry-level Mechanics,” says Brian. “We are now moving them on to Block 2 and Block 3 so we can take on some new entrants.”

Another program that PEITSC has had success with is Find Your Drive, which includes eight weeks of full-time training at a school and four weeks of internship.

SkillsPEI covers 80 percent of the participant’s tuition for a Class 1A driving course. The program offers a living allowance to support students while in school and a post-training, paid work placement with an Island-based employer.

“We had seats for 15 people to take the course,” Brian says. “They had to come up with 20 percent of the tuition, which their employer would then reimburse. We did high-level screening for the program (i.e. a criminal record check, an essential skills component, driver’s abstract and medical) and a lot of post-training was done through the Carriers Edge program, which covers such things as defensive driving and winter driving. Taking the course made it easier for the younger Drivers to get insurance.”

Driver Coaches were paid an extra $600 for their time. “This incentive led to companies lending us more Coaches to train new Drivers, so now we have a bigger pool of Coaches to call on for the future.

PEITSC has also been involved in the Trucking Human Resources Sector Council Atlantic’s Building the Skills of the Trucking Industry for the Future Using Innovative Technology program. Funded by the Future Skills Centre, the project is determining the effectiveness of using a portable virtual reality training simulator (VRTS) to provide skills enhancement for experienced professional Truck Drivers and to train new Drivers.

“A lot of modules are based on experiences a Driver might encounter in Atlantic Canada,” Brian says. “We helped develop the module where the Driver goes through the weigh scales in Borden, through the toll booth at Confederation Bridge, and then crosses the bridge.”

The VRTS tracks the retina of the Driver, so the Trainers see what the Driver sees when they are simulating driving. “This is useful if there has been an accident and remedial training is required. We put virtual objects in their way, and it’s a great teachable moment for the Driver.”

PEITSC worked with the company Bulk Carriers PEI on these modules. “It’s worked out well. Drivers don’t have to worry about weather or time of day when they are doing this virtual training. They can replicate any scenario they want.

“People think of it as a video game, but it’s not,” Brian says. “It’s a way to collect and measure data.”

For more information on the Truck and Transport Mechanic Apprenticeship program.

ASTA Safety is a safety training company run by Alvin Smith in Slemon Park. In addition to offering various health & safety classes, Alvin also runs Class 1 & Class 3 driver training courses and an Air Brake prep course.

JVI Commercial Driving School at Slemon Park offers Class 1A and 3A driver training.

Commercial Safety College in Masstown, Nova Scotia offers Class 1A and 3A driver training.

New Brunswick Community College campuses in Moncton and Woodstock offer Truck and Transport Service Technician programs.

Nova Scotia Community College campuses in Sydney and Dartmouth offer Heavy Duty Equipment/Truck and Transport Repair programs.

Trucking is a way to see the world

“Many loads leave PEI and go as far as California. That is approximately a two-week trip. It’s great for those who want to explore and see the world. They can use their downtime to explore the area.

“Trucking is a really great industry, and you get to haul some crazy things. Island drivers have hauled stuff that went to space, sports cars, and some pretty regular stuff too, like paper and potatoes.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION
About careers in trucking, call the PEI Trucking Sector Council at 902-566-5563
Visit www.peitsc.ca

PEI Trucking news you can use

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