Joining Joel Hancock and Randeep Kalsi, a pizza delivery driver for the past five years, wanted to become a truck driver, but faced an obstacle.
P.E.I. is helping to remove the barrier to success for drivers and other aspirants by providing 80% of the training tuition fee for a 12-week Class 1A driver training course in Prince Edward Island.
The P.E.I. Trucking Sector Council (PEITSC) has developed the Find Your Drive (FYD) program to help drivers get their foot in the door.
YFYD is a program funded by the province's Skills P.E.I. division of the Department of Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture, which provides successful applicants with $9,600 for training. The program offers a living allowance to support students while in school and a post-training, paid work placement with an island-based employer. It is open to citizens and permanent residents residing in P. E.I., and the program includes eight weeks of full-time training and four weeks of internship. Skills gap training is also provided in case coaches to identify problem areas like shifting or backing.
Screening Process
PEITSC conducts a screening process to ensure students are insurable, can do cross-border work and be physically able to drive.
The most important idea is that the company works with three students – Hancock, Kalsi and Tanisha Tawil – to find a suitable work path.
Hancock, 25, is a 25-year-old who enjoys the step-by-step training process for truck drivers. Kalsi, also 25, has friends working as truck drivers and is eager to join them. He used to be on the road all day and the instructors have him working with a tractor and trailer from Day 1. The second group of four students is wrapping up employer interviews and will begin training soon.
Hancock, is a 25-year-old who enjoys the step-by-step training process for truck drivers. Kalsi, also 25, has friends working as truck drivers and is eager to join them. He used to be on the road all day and the instructors have him working with a tractor and trailer from Day 1. The second group of four students is wrapping up employer interviews and will begin training soon.
Weekly Updates
The Training School prepares a weekly update on the student who signs it off, shared with the prospective employer and PEITSC.
After passing their driving test, the students begin their four-week internship. Oulton asked the coaches to identify areas of improvement and commit to paying back the 20% of tuition the students paid up front.
The school hopes the student will stay with the company that takes them on and will get repaid their tuition.
No Contracts
The most important details are that students and employers have agreed to not sign contracts for how long they will stay with the company, with Oulton asking them to stay with their employer and for employers to commit to them once they are done.
Hancock is looking for short haul work to get his legs under him, while Kalsi is looking to put in the miles and gain experience, driving regionally for his employer.
