USask studies aim to improve driver training, working conditions

The Humboldt Broncos bus crash steered Mackenzie McKeown’s career toward improving truck driver training, occupational medicine, and public health and safety. The University of Saskatchewan PhD candidate, a Humboldt, Sask.,…

MELT truck driver training standards are only minimums, and gaps remain

When Ontario established mandatory entry-level training (MELT), the original intent was to establish a minimum amount of training and expected level of competency before someone could be licensed to drive…

B.C. provides $290K to train eight Indigenous drivers

Eight eligible Indigenous people will receive skills training to prepare them for jobs as professional truck drivers in the Kamloops area of British Columbia. “B.C. wants more professional truck drivers,…

Northern Construction Academy opens in Sudbury

Sudbury, Ontario has a new truck driver training school, with the Northern Construction Academy now offering AZ/DZ and heavy equipment programs. “We have been extremely fortunate to attract veteran instructors…

SPECIAL REPORT: The early days of mandatory training

TORONTO, ON -- Darryl Robitaille belongs to a rare graduating class, one of the first future truck drivers to study under Ontario's new Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) regime. That means he had to complete at least 103.5 hours of approved training before the Ontario Ministry of Transportation would allow him to take the road test for an AZ licence to drive tractor-trailers. He failed on the first attempt. "The road test I did fine on," says the resident of Caledonia, Ontario, referring to actions like steering and backing. His challenge was with new questions linked to pre-trip inspections. "I was extremely nervous," Robitaille adds. This despite the fact that he personally completed a 200-hour training program, well above the mandated minimum introduced on July 1. But with a little extra studying he passed the test on his second attempt. Now he is looking to secure his first job behind the wheel. Robitaille can take comfort in knowing he wasn't alone.