Driver Training
Owner-Operators
Dispatch & Operations
Safety & Loss Prevention
Fleet Maintenance
Sales & Administration
Information Technology
Dock & Warehouse Operations

Driving Training:
(Truck and Bus)

There are no minimum standards for driver training in British Columbia, so the quality
of driver training programs can range from excellent to mediocre.  Many driver training programs are designed simply to help students pass the ICBC driver licensing tests,
which do not test all the skills required of truck drivers.

Before choosing a driver training program, students should educate themselves about two industry standards that have been developed:

• The Earning Your Wheels program for drivers was developed by the Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council and is taught in British Columbia by the Mountain Training Institute and the North Shore Driving School.  This program has been endorsed by the Conference Board of Canada (add pdf file here).
  
  
• The Professional Truck Driver Institute, established by the U.S. Truckload Carriers Association, has also developed minimum skill standards for entry-level tractor-trailer drivers.  While no school in British Columbia has adopted this standard, the PTDI website contains valuable information about what you need to know to become a professional truck driver.

Truck driver training is offered by both public and private institutions in British Columbia.  This list below is a starting point to help you determine where you should get your training.  You should contact any college or other institution you are considering directly for detailed information on training options for your selected career.

Private schools offering driver training should be accredited by the Private Career Training Institutions Agency of British Columbia.  PCTIA provides consumer protection to students and prospective students of registered institutions.

These public post-secondary institutions also offer driver training:

• Okanagan College offers driver training in partnership with a driver training school
• Northern Lights College offers a Commercial Driver Education program, including training for Class 1 and 3 licenses and air brake endorsement
• North Island College
• Thompson Rivers University
• College of the Rockies
  Class 1 & 3 (Truck Driver) Training
  Class 1 Truck Driver Training
  Class 1 Driver Training Upgrade
  
  

Most driver training schools also offer air brake endorsement courses and many offer Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) courses.  TDG certification is required of truck drivers who transport dangerous goods.  The BC Trucking Association regularly offers TDG training.


Owner-Operator Training:
In addition to driver training, owner-operators should also have basic business skills.
The Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council (CTHRC)offers an online business skills course for owner operators.
Many private institutions and colleges also offer business programs that may be useful in terms of managing a small business.  Check with your local college or search for a list of private post-secondary institutions offering business courses at the Private Career Training Institutions Agency of British Columbia.  PCTIA provides consumer protection to students and prospective students of registered institutions.


Dispatch & Operations:
Dispatchers, Customer Service Representatives, Billing Administrators, Operations Manager
Most jobs in dispatch and operations involve on-the-job training, so aptitude and a willingness to learn are paramount.  However, the Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council (CTHRC) offers online training courses for dispatchers . 

Many post-secondary and private institutions provide general courses on administration, sales and marketing, supervisory and management training, but none specific to the trucking industry. 

Check with your local college or search for a list of private post-secondary institutions offering business-related courses at the Private Career Training Institutions Agency of British Columbia.  PCTIA provides consumer protection to students and prospective students of registered institutions.

Safety & Loss Prevention:
Driver Trainers, Loss Prevention Administrators, Safety & Compliance Administrators, Safety & Loss Prevention Managers
Usually, the most beneficial training for people who want to enter into the safety and loss prevention fields is on-the-job.  Many safety professionals start off in other trucking-related careers and move into loss prevention or safety and compliance.  However, valuable training is available on occupational health and safety.  Programs in loss prevention, risk management, occupational health and safety may also be helpful.

Driver trainers require a commercial class of license (link to driver licensing page). 
Some private post-secondary institutions also offer courses on loss prevention and risk management.  The Private Career Training Institutions Agency of British Columbia
provides a listing of post-secondary institutions and their programs.  PCTIA provides consumer protection to students and prospective students of registered institutions.

The following public post-secondary institutions offer courses or programs on loss prevention, risk management and occupational health and safety.  This list is not meant to be exhaustive, but simply a sampling of programs that are available.  None of these programs are designed specifically to meet the needs of the trucking industry.

• British Columbia Institute of Technology offers Occupational Health and Safety – Diploma of Technology
• Camosun College offers Continuing Education courses in Occupational Safety
• College of New Caledonia offers a course in Human Resources Occupational Health and Safety
• Simon Fraser University offers a Program in Risk Management
• University of British Columbia offers continuing education courses in occupational and environmental hygiene
• University of Northern British Columbia offers Canadian Risk Management Certificate program
• University of Victoria offers a Certificate Program in Environmental and Occupational Health

Fleet Maintenance:
Commercial Transport Mechanics, Commercial Trailer Mechanic, Heavy Duty Mechanic, Bus Mechanic, Wheel Installer/Tire Technician, Welder, Shop Floor Supervisor, Parts Supervisor, Maintenance Manager

Many colleges and private institutions in British Columbia offer training for heavy duty and commercial transport mechanics.  In particular, the Vancouver Community College operates a Centre for Transportation Trades that offers a variety of courses for mechanics.  In other regions of the province, check with your local college () or search for a list of private post-secondary institutions offering mechanics courses at the Private Career Training Institutions Agency of British Columbia.  PCTIA provides consumer protection to students and prospective students of registered institutions.
Training for mechanics is also available through apprenticeship, although an introductory certificate program may be required first.  The Industry Training Authority website () has information on apprenticeship programs for mechanics.
Training for welders is through apprenticeship and/or coursework.  The Industry Training Authority website has information on apprenticeship programs for welders.

Many colleges and private institutions in British Columbia offer training for welders.  Check with your local college or search for a list of private post-secondary institutions offering welding courses at the Private Career Training Institutions Agency of British Columbia.  PCTIA provides consumer protection to students and prospective students of registered institutions.
Shop Floor Supervisor, Parts Supervisors and Maintenance Managers generally gain experience on the job before moving into these positions. 
While formal training is not required, many public post-secondary institutions and private schools offer general supervisory and management training.  Check with your local college or search for a list of private post-secondary institutions offering business courses at the Private Career Training Institutions Agency of British Columbia.  PCTIA provides consumer protection to students and prospective students of registered institutions.

Sales and Administration:
Accountant, Licensing/Permitting Clerks, Sales/Marketing Representative, Personnel/Human Resources Managers

There are no specific training programs for sales and administration personnel in the trucking industry.  However, general business training in accounting, human resources management, and sales and marketing are available from a variety of public post-secondary and private institutions.  Check with your local college or search for a list of private post-secondary institutions offering business courses at the Private Career Training Institutions Agency of British Columbia.  PCTIA provides consumer protection to students and prospective students of registered institutions.
Licensing/Permitting clerks receive their training on the job. 

Information Technology
Network Administrator, Database Administrator, Systems Analyst, Information Technology Manager

There are no specific training programs for information technology personnel in the trucking industry.  However, general computer training in network administration, database management, computer systems and information technology are available from a variety of public post-secondary and private institutions.  Check with your local college or search for a list of private post-secondary institutions offering business courses at the Private Career Training Institutions Agency of British Columbia .  PCTIA provides consumer protection to students and prospective students of registered institutions.


Dock and Warehouse Operations:
Dock Worker, Forklift/Tow Motor Operator, Dock Supervisor, Warehouse Manager

While most training for dock workers is on-the-job, the British Columbia Institute of Technology offers a Logistics and Mobile Equipment Operations course that provides basic information about warehouse operations.
Some private post-secondary institutions also offer training related to warehouse operations.  Search for a list of private post-secondary institutions offering dock and warehouse operations courses at the Private Career Training Institutions Agency of British Columbia.  PCTIA provides consumer protection to students and prospective students of registered institutions:

Many public post-secondary institutions and private institutions offer training for forklift/tow motor operators:  Check with your local college or search for a list of private post-secondary institutions forklift/tow motor training courses at the Private Career Training Institutions Agency of British Columbia.  PCTIA provides consumer protection to students and prospective students of registered institutions.

Some public post-secondary institutions and private institutions offer general supervisory and management training for dock supervisors and business and management training, including logistics, for warehouse managers.  Check with your local college or search for a list of private post-secondary institutions offering business courses at the Private Career Training Institutions Agency of British Columbia.  PCTIA provides consumer protection to students and prospective students of registered institutions.