STA calls on Saskatchewan government to support new truck driver training
The Saskatchewan Trucking Association (STA) is calling on the province to help fund training for new truck drivers.
More than half of the province’s truck drivers are older than 45 years of age, the association notes, and it’s becoming increasingly expensive to train for a career in trucking.
Currently, the average cost of the training required to obtain a class 1A driver’s license in Sask. is about $14,000, the STA notes. Students in the 1A driver training cannot apply for student loans to enroll, and the small tax rebate promised by the provincial government to support them has still not been launched yet, it adds.
The STA is calling on the province to create a loan program that can lessen the financial burden for those joining the trucking industry in Saskatchewan.
Susan Ewart, STA executive director, says more support is needed for those wanting to enter the industry.
“The trucking and transport sector is crucial to driving Saskatchewan’s economy forward and due to inaction from government, fewer young people can afford to get into the trucking industry putting the future of the industry at stake,” she said.
“It is crucial that the government support the training of new truck drivers right here at home – in Saskatchewan. The future of Saskatchewan depends on trucking and the future of trucking depends on Saskatchewan.”
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Again why are tax dollars paying for this . Look at the industry and the driver turnover rates . look at the ave rate per hour how many hours before overtime apply . Take a look at a industry fee to cover this and more parking. I have no problem with gov $ taxpayers paying for a medical treatment room in a large 200 plus spot truck stop the building of a co op repair shop and a military reserve tow truck and or first responder unit with a no or low interest loan . But when there is no medical help or low cost units for sick or injured drivers and some cross border drivers have no medical insurance. I think maybe some help for first yr insurance is ok but not for training unless the industry will pay or a surcharge of at least $9000 on each TF truck driver that comes into Canada that goes into a special training fund for people born here or are refugees.