Momentum is gathering to make truck driving a Red Seal trade, but challenges must be overcome before this becomes a reality.
“The snowball is getting bigger,” said Craig Faucette, chief program officer at Trucking HR Canada. He noted that the Alberta government is pushing for the designation, and other jurisdictions are discussing it.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada’s annual conference in Niagara Falls, Ont., he said that groups like the Professional Truck Training Alliance of Canada (PTTAC) and the Alberta Motor Transport Association and some industry members are spearheading the initiative.
Don MacDonald, PTTAC co-chairman said the aim is to standardize driver training across the country. The group has been engaging stakeholders, and feedback has been positive.
The Red Seal program sets national standards for skills and knowledge within a particular trade. When these tradespersons complete their apprenticeship and pass a standard exam, they receive a Red Seal endorsement on their trade certificate.
Value proposition for drivers
Faucette shone a light on the value proposition for drivers who obtain a Red Seal. They would probably have an increase in potential earnings, add to professional credibility, and would allow for greater skill recognition between provinces.
Since apprenticeships cost money, there is a lot of reticence around the industry to create such programs. Instead of putting the onus on government, Faucette suggested the industry take the lead and contribute time and money to achieve Red Seal.
He said that government grants and tax credits could help offset some of the costs. Also, in skilled trades there is reduced turnover and, therefore, greater loyalty that leads to better driver retention.
Carrier hesitancy
Kelly Henderson, executive director of the Trucking Human Resource Sector Council Atlantic, offered another perspective.
She noted that the industry has a driver and technician shortage. Technicians have a Red Seal designation, but this has not helped attract more of them to the industry. Carriers who have experienced this on the technician side, may be hesitant to move forward with the designation for drivers.
With MELT (mandatory entry-level training) already being taught in most parts of the country, along with some fleet finishing programs, is Red Seal really needed? This was what moderator John G. Smith, vice-president of content and design at Newcom Media, asked the panelists.
Proving competency
PTTAC’s MacDonald said that it would prove competency and offer a properly trained and confident commercial driver. Faucette added that it would provide standardization in the industry.
Red Seal designation requires five jurisdictions – provinces or territories – to be on board and the process is likely to be a long one. “This is going to be the long haul. It’s going to take time to get there,” Faucette said.
In the end, it all boils down to costs, especially in the current economic environment. In trucking, on-the-job training skyrockets when you add a trainer in the cab. This is not necessarily the case with other apprenticeships.
Henderson said that carriers are already operating on tight margins, adding that government subsidies to support them would be welcome.
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