Fanshawe to offer Essential Skills for Truck Drivers program

Fanshawe Corporate Training Solutions (CTS) has received funding from the RapidSkills project through the Ontario government to create and deliver the Essential Skills for Truck Drivers micro credential program.

Free to eligible participants, this specialized training will provide students with a solid understanding of safety, legislation, procedures and standards used in the Ontario trucking industry.

This micro credential program is a 100 hour, non-credit program that focuses on high quality, short term, industry-recognized training to help laid off, at risk and underutilized workers quickly gain in-demand skills employers are looking for.

"The Essential Skills for Truck Drivers program provides the foundational skills and knowledge required for further training within the truck driving industry," says Candace Miller, senior manager, Strategic Initiatives and Business Development. "Program participants have the opportunity to upskill and gain exposure and prepare for career opportunities within the automotive, agriculture and advanced manufacturing industries."

"Now more than ever, Ontario, and especially Southwestern Ontario, is in desperate need of truck drivers," said Jeff Yurek, MPP Elgin-Middlesex-London. "I am proud that the provincial government is addressing this shortage by supporting Fanshawe College in training new drivers right here in the London region."

Upon successful completion of all five modules, participants will receive a milestone e-badge, e-certificate and Certificate of Completion from CTS to recognize the skills attained by the participants and industry standard for essential skills for truck drivers that both employers and the industry deem valid.

"This project has created meaningful partnerships between education and training providers, employers, industry stakeholders and Employment Ontario agencies to identify the collective skills needed for the truck driving sector," says Christine Spicer, project lead, Corporate Training Solutions. "Utilizing the experience of the Program Advisory Committee members, we have pooled community resources to address labour market issues and in-demand skills."

For further information or to apply to the program, please email CTS@fanshawec.ca and reference the Essential Skills for Truck Drivers program.

About the Essential Skills for Truck Drivers program

The following modules of the program are each 20 hours in length:

Distracted Driving – This important safety program focuses on the key interventions needed to mitigate driver distraction in the truck driving industry in Ontario.

Professional Communication – Emphasizes increased literacy, numeracy and document use with a professional approach when dealing with industry forms/paperwork and key communication with industry representatives.

E-Logs Device– The Electronic Log Device (ELD) is mandated for all truck-driving professionals. This module helps drivers manage the hours of service on the road and regulation compliance.

Driver Wellness and Road Safety – Reviews driver safety tips to ensure better decisions are made so everyone arrives home safely.

Border Crossing – Increase knowledge and confidence with border crossing rules and regulations including industry standards such as C-TPAT, CSA, PIOP, crossing with food and inspection.