The Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association (APTA) says it is working on a project that will help the industry deal with pressing issues such as the driver shortage, training and driver retention.
"We are very pleased to move forward with a long awaited project for the trucking industry," said Jean-Marc Picard, executive director of the APTA. "The trucking industry in Atlantic Canada is facing a massive driver shortage. Having the proper framework in place to attract and recruit qualified employees, and harmonize training requirements to support the industry is a priority. This project will help address some issues regarding the recruitment and retention of professional trucks drivers, along with other challenges the industry is currently facing."
Funding is being contributed by the federal government, through its Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
The APTA says the program will be available to career counselors, training schools, government personnel, carriers and the industry.
"This initiative is a first of its kind for our industry," said Picard. "We trust that it will create some structure and have a positive impact to our driver shortage. This will also increase the level of professionalism in the trucking industry, raise awareness of professional driving careers, and make it accessible for your people to enter our industry."
The APTA says 90% of goods consumed in Atlantic Canada are moved by truck and more than 25,000 jobs are directly related to the trucking industry. There are some 4,000 trucking companies based in Atlantic Canada.
