Trucking industry jobs get updates via National Occupational Standards

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KING CITY, Ont. — Several trucking-specific careers are now more clearly defined thanks to an update of National Occupational Standards, according to an announcement by Trucking HR Canada, during a presentation at the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada’s (PMTC) annual conference today.

The voluntary guidelines list the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to work in specific fields. First-time additions to the guidelines include cargo worker, freight claims specialist, safety and loss prevention specialist, supervisor/manager/foreman, and licensed shunt driver have been defined for the first time.

Existing documents addressing dispatchers were also updated, building on those already available for entry-level drivers, professional drivers, driver specialties, and coaches/mentors/assessors.

Related competency charts – which list the individual skills and attributes needed for each occupation – are among the most popular downloads available on Trucking HR Canada’s Web site, according to officials.

“This is one of the broadest updates to National Occupational Standards since they were first introduced to Canada’s trucking industry,” says Angela Splinter, CEO of Trucking HR Canada. “Fleets and trainers that have used existing standards have alreadybeen able to enhance everything from job descriptions to training curricula and employee appraisals. Now they have the tools to focus on a broader range of jobs.”

“These standards clearly reflect the real-world requirements of the industry because they were closely developed and reviewed by industry representatives,” adds Tamara Miller, Trucking HR Canada’s director of programs and services. “Each standard clearly describes what successful job performance looks like; details the tasks, skills and knowledge needed in the role; and identifies related legal responsibilities.”

Free downloads of the standards are available through Trucking HR Canada’s online store.

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