Be A Red Seal Champion

There’s been a lot of talk about Red Seal apprenticeship for truck drivers over the years. What’s holding us back today? Nothing should be. The timing has never been better.

When the Professional Truck Training Alliance of Canada (PTTAC) was founded the group really focused on what the key objectives and mandate would be. Two of the top items were to work on the Professional Truck Operator becoming a Red Seal trade in Canada. The second item was nationally approved instructor program(s).

So what is Red Seal? The Red Seal program sets national standards for skills and knowledge within a particular trade. There are currently 54 Red Seal occupations in Canada, including auto mechanic, cook, plumber, electrician, and heavy equipment operator. When these tradespersons complete their apprenticeship and pass a standard exam, they receive a Red Seal endorsement on their trade certificate.

Recently Canadian trucking titan, Mike McCarron conducted a survey with over 75 industry professionals regarding Red Seal for Commerical Truck operators.

Here is a snap shot of his findings;

Lots of support

Question #1: Would you support an apprenticeship-style program recognizing truck driving as a skilled trade?

The response was unanimous: 77 yeses. That’s good news. Ottawa insiders told Mike emphatically that truck driving won’t be recognized as a skilled trade unless there’s overwhelming industry support.

Put this one in the win column.

Safer roads

Question #2: Would apprenticeships for truck drivers help make roads safer?

Another slam dunk. 100% of respondents said yes.

Truckers have a fiduciary responsibility to the public. If the industry’s “powers that be” can show Ottawa and provincial regulators that common occupational standards for truck drivers would make roads safer, maybe they’ll help pay for it.

Gig slowdown?

Question #3: Would an apprenticeship model significantly reduce the number of Driver Inc. carriers?
88% of respondents said no.

Mike says he was dead wrong about this.

He thought Red Seal-style standards would put a big dent in Driver Inc. Instead of showing drivers how to pass a test, they’d have to develop real pros to a national standard.

Established fleets have been paying those bills for years, developing their own professional drivers.
Mike figured the added cost of using accredited drivers would make it harder for Driver Inc. fleets to operate. Guess not!

No downside

Besides cost, no one offered Mike a shred of downside to setting occupational standards for truck drivers.
More spoke about the upside.

Certification would attract higher-level candidates. There would be less turnover and more respect for the profession. Safer roads would reduce insurance costs.

It would help our industry’s brand.

McCarron says if he still owned trucks, he would salivate at the notion of apprentices striving to be future Red Seal professional drivers flying my banner.

With multiple meetings hosted in Western Canada and more planned for Ontario in August it seems the PTTAC has gotten the attention of many in the industry and every province we have met with says they support in principle the drive for Red Seal apprenticeship.

How about you and your organization? Will you be a Red Seal Champion?

Learn more by visiting www.pttac.ca

Jim Campbell
Chairperson, Professional Truck Training Alliance of Canada (PTTAC)