VANCOUVER— The B.C. Trucking Association (BCTA) initiated a new project to better understand the drayage owner-operator business, identify best business practices and create a resource toolkit for owner-operators.

The project’s aim is to assist the 880 owner-operators and small fleet owners working in the drayage sector in Vancouver and help them with the challenges they face, like lack of business training, and other factors that impact profitability.

The project, conducted in partnership with the Asia Pacific Gateway Skills Table, will begin in mid-September and the final report is expected March 2013.

A report for trucking companies, industry associates and governments will be part of the project. The report aims to provide insight to business drivers and labour market information on drayage owner-operators in Vancouver. The report may inform policy decisions, support an education and awareness campaign, and support future HR initiatives, the BCTA says.