WINNIPEG — Manitoba Public Insurance announced that will invest $5 million in truck driver training.

Over the next three years, Manitoba Public Insurance — in partnership with the Manitoba Trucking Association — will inject an annual $1.65 million to assist up to 750 drivers become Class 1 truckers — a profession the insurer recognizes is in serious demand, as the trucking industry deals with higher standards and impending retirements.

The training initiative, available to trucking companies that insure their fleets with Special Risk Extension (SRE) — a separate line of business run by the commercial trucking arm of Manitoba Public Insurance that competes for such business with other insurers throughout Canada — will offset tuition costs and train up to 250 professional drivers annually to National Occupational Standards, established by the Canadian Trucking Human Resource Council. None of the funding will come from Basic Autopac customers.

The trucking industry needs to attract 15,000 new drivers to
Manitoba companies over the next 15 years, says Ron Lemieux

The MTA will co-ordinate the program and screen candidates. The SRE carrier commits to completing on-the-job training, practicum and provide the candidate with a job upon completion of the program, while Manitoba Public Insurance provides all training costs.

The candidate will have to refund these costs if they are unsuccessful or do not stay employed by an SRE customer for two years, however.

SRE specializes in small and medium-sized trucking firms headquartered in Manitoba. It also insures many of the larger international carriers based out of province.

“We are dedicated to supporting Manitoba’s trucking industry, which that has supported our SRE line of business in the past,'” said President and CEO Marilyn McLaren. “This initiative helps our customers meet the increasingly competitive demands for employees, enabling them to continue to be successful and grow.”

Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation Ron Lemieux said the initiative demonstrates how Manitoba Public Insurance continues to play a positive role in the competitiveness of Manitoba. About 430 companies — including about a dozen with more than 150 vehicles in their fleet — make up Manitoba’s $1.2 billion a year trucking industry.

Hampered by a shortage of drivers, the trucking industry believes it needs to attract about 15,000 new drivers to Manitoba companies over the next 15 years simply to sustain the current workforce, said Lemieux. “What has emerged is a program that combines the needed classroom theory along with experience behind the wheel. It will help the industry stay healthy and expand into the future.”

The new training initiative was built with the support of Manitoba Competitiveness, Training and Trade. It will work in concert with, not in competition with, current provincial training initiatives.

Drivers certified through this program will be over and above those being training through other provincial programs, says the insurer.