FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  

May 18, 2016 -­‐ Hamilton, ON  -­‐  The  Truck  Training  Schools  Association  of  Ontario  (TTSAO)  have  responded  to  the   MTO’s  proposed  Mandatory  Entry-­‐Level  Training  (MELT)  standards.  The  TTSAO,  along  with  industry  subject   matter  experts  from  various  carriers,  training  institutions  and  insurance  fields,  were  among  a  task  force
designed  to  provide  input  and  feedback  on  the  proposed  new  standards  for  Class  A  drivers  in  Ontario.

The  TTSAO  is  thankful  for  the  opportunity  to  be  included  in  this  task  force  and  would  like  to  thank  the  MTO  and   all  of  the  industry  stakeholders  that  participated  in  these  meetings.  TTSAO  membered  schools  collectively   produce  more  entry-­‐level  commercial  drivers  annually  than  any  other  association  or  education  entity  in  the   Province.  TTSAO  members  were  provided  the  opportunity  to  review  the  draft  standards  and  provide  feedback  to   their  Board  of  Directors.

The  TTSAO  believes  that  great  strides  have  been  achieved  towards  what  the  MELT  standards  should  look  like   however,  before  it  can  be  fully  endorsed,  the  following  suggestions  were  made  recommending  that  further   discussion  is  needed:

• Instructor  qualifications  must  be  addressed
• Minimum  requirements  for  training  on  a  standard  transmission  should  be  included
• A  clear  definition  of  on-­‐line  education  is  required
• Procedures  for  booking  of  road  tests  should  be  included
• Vehicle  configurations  for  training  and  testing  need  to  be  clearly  defined
• Observation  time  in  the  training  yard  should  be  included  in  the  defined  hours
• Night  time  training  should  not  be  a  requirement  of  the  standard
• Maximum  training  of  6  hours  per  day  in  cab  in  unacceptable
• Clearly  defined  documentation  to  verify  training  hours  are  met  is  required

Kim  Richardson,  TTSAO  Chairman  of  the  Board,  says  “The  TTSAO  believes  that  great  progress  has  been  made  in   the  new  proposed  MELT  standard  but  additional  edits  and  input  are  still  needed.  We  understand  that  the   government  is  on  very  strict  timelines  to  complete  the  standard  but  it  is  imperative  that  as  an  industry  we  get  it   right  the  first  time.  The  TTSAO  is  happy  to  continue  our  participation  in  the  task  force  to  ensure  that    we  help  to   raise  the  level  of  entry  level  candidates  entering  the  industry”.
 For  more  information  about  this  Press  Release:  

Kim  Richardson  –  Chairman,  TTSAO  –  KRTS  office  –  1-­‐800-­‐771-­‐8171  x  201  or  cell  –  905-­‐512-­‐0254  or  by  email  at
krichardson@krway.com

Charlie  Charalambous  –  Director  of  Public  Relations,  TTSAO  –  Northbridge  Office  -­‐  1-­‐800-­‐265-­‐7173  or  cell  (416)
473-­‐3986  or  by  email  at  charlie.charalambous@nbfc.com

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