OTTAWA, Ont. — Drivers trainers and assessors are now able to have their own skills and experience recognized through a new certification program being offered by the Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council (CTHRC).

The new certification – recognized by the Canadian Vocational Association – will reflect past work experience, a review of training materials and procedures, and the successful completion of an online exam.

“The goal is to recognize the experienced driver trainers who meet National Occupational Standards,” says CTHRC executive director Linda Gauthier. “This certification program will help to establish and promote the standards for safety and professional practice, while increasing recognition for the profession of driver trainers.”

The certifications are offered for those who train in the classroom only, in the cab only, or in both training environments. To earn a certification once they are accepted into the program, applicants need to score 80% in an online exam and must submit a “training portfolio” that includes a detailed lesson plan, teaching material, and a video of their training in action.

To qualify for the in-class certification, applicants must have conducted a minimum of 1,500 hours of verifiable in-class training, completed a recognized train-the-trainer program, and passed the Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES) for professional driver trainers. The in-cab certification requires a minimum of 1,500 hours of in-cab training experience, five years of driving experience, a Class 1/A driver’s licence, and the successful completion of both a recognized train-the-trainer program and the Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES) for professional driver trainers.

To qualify for a combined classroom and cab certification, applicants will need a minimum of 3,000 hours of in-class (1,500 hours) and in-cab (1,500 hours) training experience, five years of driving experience and a Class 1/A driver’s licence, and must have completed a recognized train-the-trainer program and the Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES) for professional driver trainers.

“This certification program was developed by industry stakeholders for industry,” says Mayne Root, executive director of the Alberta Motor Transport Association. “It provides consistency across the industry sectors and across the country and has been developed to meet nationally recognized standards. The goal was to have a certification process that was easily accessible to anyone who wanted to participate in it, and I believe that has been accomplished.”

Application fees have been set at $300 for an in-class certification, $300 for an in-cab certification, and $450 for a combined in-class and in-cab certification.

For more information on the program, visit www.cthrc.com.