Becoming a Professional Driver isn’t an easy decision.  Some have personal or financial issues to deal with to obtain their goal. They are often scared of the unknown , yet excited to start a new journey in life. 

I’m going to share a recent email I received .  I’m leaving out  names to protect the identity of the sender. 

I researched the Trucking Industry in Canada as a possible career choice, after about 10 years I decided that it was the right choice and fit for my current circumstances .  Since I have no spouse ,children , or family commitments to impede on my ability to work long haul. 

Since I graduated at the end of October with my full license ,  I have been in contact with many  different Carriers via phone or email in the BC area. Many companies stated they required 1 to 2 yrs mountain experience . Sadly for an industry that is saying they have a driver’s shortage it’s a hard one to enter. Only 3 so far offer a training program for a Novice Driver .  1 stating they don’t train in the winter month’s but feel free to call back in the spring. 

BC has some of the largest and steepest mountain highways , with bends and curves of the terrain . I feel this is the perfect training area for a Novice Driver to gain valuable skills and experience . If a Novice Driver can be trained with a trainer in the winter months ,they will gain improved skills prior to the following winter season . It is vital that Novice Drivers gain winter driving skills with a trainer as opposed to spring,summer or fall. Why complete training and send them out on their own with no winter experience. 

It is the worst feeling for someone like myself to spend $8000 to $10,000 on training and been successful in obtaining my license .  To ultimately get trapped in the never ending funnel of ” experience required “. Hearing this over and over again becomes very emotionally defeating experience to a Novice Driver .  As a Novice Driver I believe that my skills as a driver will weaken over time as I wait to find someone to train me. 

This is 1 of a few emails or phone calls we’ve received from new drivers. I decided to share this in hopes that we as a whole in the Trucking Industry can find a solution to this problem .  This isn’t just a West coast problem, it’s across the country problem .  

Drivers if your interested and willing to train please go to your company and let them know. Not sure how or what to teach ?  Ask them to send you for a training seminar .  Even if your company doesn’t have a program in place, go talk to them…you just maybe what they’ve been waiting for  !! 

Carriers have you asked your driver’s if their interested in training ?  Are you offering a paid training course  ?  Have you gotten feedback from your driver’s on your  training program  ? 

Some food for thought ….

I quite often hear we only put Women with Women and  Men with Men. I know of 1 carrier who introduced the trainer/spouse to the trainee/spouse in an informal social setting a few times prior to the 1st trip. So they could talk and get to feel comfortable with each other .  Another carrier puts the trainer in a hotel room and the trainee sleeps in the truck. Another asks the trainers spouse how they feel about it and answers any questions they may have. 

This isn’t about pointing fingers , it’s about finding a solution to an  area of concern within the Trucking Industry .