OTTAWA, Ont. — Canadian companies now have the chance to compete for the European Transport Training Association’s (EuroTra) prestigious Safety and Innovation Award, which recognizes the best product or service that can be used to improve road safety in Europe’s trucking and logistics industry.

The opportunity is one of the first benefits to emerge through the Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council’s (CTHRC) recent affiliation with the Association.

“I am delighted that we have formed this partnership with CTHRC,” said EuroTra president James Tillyer. “Many of the challenges facing the European road transport industry appear to be mirrored in Canada, and our members are looking forward to gaining an understanding and exchanging knowledge and good practice with representatives from CTHRC.”

“A growing number of Canadian carriers are looking to Europe when trying to address a shortage of skilled workers,” added CTHRC executive director Angela Splinter. “Linking to organizations like EuroTra gives our entire industry the chance to learn and benefit from Europe’s best practices.”

Last year’s EuroTra Safety and Innovation Award was awarded to a joint partnership between Shell Chemicals Europe BV (the Netherlands) and Bertocco Automotive Engineering (Italy). Both companies developed an innovative early warning device that helps prevent tanker rollovers.

Representatives of Volvo Trucks and EuroTra will judge how submissions are clearly linked to road safety and encourage a continuous process in road safety, connected to the benefits of training and education, helping to solve environmental issues, and innovative in nature.

Winners of the honour will earn 1,500 Euros (about $2,150) and have the chance to deliver a short presentation on their product or service during an award ceremony at the EuroTra Winter Assembly to be held Dec. 1 and 2 in London, England. EuroTra will pay the travel and accommodation costs for the winning company’s representative.

EuroTra includes 20 member training organizations in 14 European countries. The association is dedicated to developing and training human resources, enhancing the transport and logistics sector’s image, helping to develop and implement innovative training methods and tools, and promoting road safety among fleets and drivers.

A copy of the award submission form is available through CTHRC. Submissions are due by Sept. 16 (12 p.m. Central Europe Time) and are to be sent directly to EuroTra.

This is only the latest example of growing exposure for Canada’s trucking industry in Europe. The CTHRC is also sharing information as the only North American voice in the European Union’s related ProfDRV initiative, sharing best practices with training providers, research institutes and trade associations from Germany, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Spain, Hungary and other countries.