Training for new truckers must extend beyond school, experts say

A trucking company that operates in the London area says it requires new drivers to have a minimum of three years of experience and, once hired, to regularly bring more experienced drivers for ride-alongs.   

It's an important way to make sure new drivers understand road rules and follow safety protocols because for some, regulatory training at truck driving schools doesn't provide enough experience, said Mike Zelek, vice-president of human resources at Wellington Group of Companies, which has terminals in Ingersoll, Strathroy and Windsor. 

"A lot of driving schools are more interested in having people go through their school to get a license and pay fees and be done with them but not actually training them for a long career on the road," he said.

"An experienced driver will have more mileage on them. I don't believe a simulator or in-class training can compare to that. You have to have someone in the truck with you up to a certain mileage threshold." 

Earlier this month, the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) released a report  saying Canada needs more and better training for truck drivers. The report found new drivers — especially those with less than three years of experience — were more likely to be involved in collisions. 

A lack of adequate training is causing issues in the transportation industry, such as inexperienced drivers not being able to deal with the different climates and freight restrictions in different provinces throughout the country, said Wellington's director of carrier relations Bill Robinson.

"A driver who has driven in Canada for three years has typically dealt with all different elements our country can throw at them and that's why the experienced drivers are who we're looking for."

Employers need to invest in new drivers: instructor

Employers have a big role to play in developing new drivers because there's always more to learn, even after an initial course has been completed, agreed Bob Gamble, supervisor of Fanshawe College's transportation department.

"It may seem more cost effective to send a new driver out on the roads right away, but because they're more at risk for being in collision, in the long run, it's better for companies to make the investment to ensure a driver is safe to go out and there be on their own," he said. 

"Drivers want to get out into the workforce and there is a large demand for them in the transportation industry, but we want to make sure they make a safe transition from their training to employment."

More than 100 students complete Fanshawe's program each year, and students get up to 180 hours of training, including classroom time, said Gamble. It goes beyond the Ministry of Transportation's Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) program, which requires a minimum of 103.5 hours of training.

However, IBC's report notes that MELT is a loosely defined minimum amount for training for truck drivers and is only implemented in some provinces, but not all of Canada. 

The report laid out a number of recommendations, including more consistent training at truck driving schools across the country, adopting a graduated licensing system, and increased use of telematics — technology that collects data on drivers' behaviour or performance on the road.

But positive change can only happen if truck driving schools and companies are regulated to follow these recommendations and emphasize safety over making quick money, said Zelek.