I want to tip my hat to all the hard working committed industry professionals who have recently committed and are supporting the “Drive For Red Seal” for commercial truck drivers in Canada. The Professional Truck Training Alliance of Canada has taken the lead and are encouraging all like minded companies and associations to get on board. In three recent meetings in Manitoba and Saskatchewan hosted by the executive team of PTTAC and attended by stakeholders of all sectors of industry including schools, carriers, insurance, and government the group supported unanimously in principle, the drive for apprenticeship for commercial drivers. The Province of Alberta has laid the first stake in the ground and the industry needs 4 other provinces to get on board to start making this a reality. Isn’t it time we legitimized the skills that it takes to be a Professional Driver? Many are saying yes.

Recently, respected Industry titan Mike McCarron released an article that had support from his many C-Suite executive’s and industry professionals for Red Seal Apprenticeship, 77 were surveyed. Here are a couple of the main questions he asked and the responses;

Question #1: Would you support an apprenticeship-style program recognizing truck driving as a skilled trade? The response was unanimous, 77 yes.

Question #2: Would apprenticeships for truck drivers help make roads safer? Another slam dunk, 100% of respondents said yes.

McCarron says about the survey he conducted “Besides cost, no one offered 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. If I still owned trucks, I would salivate at the notion of apprentices striving to be future Red Seal professional drivers flying my banner.”

Mike also identify the leaders of pursuing Red Seal;

The white knight in all of this could be the Professional Truck Training Alliance of Canada (PTTAC). The PTTAC is Canada’s only national group representing commercial truck driver training businesses. Its objective is to make truck driving a Red Seal trade in Canada. I applaud its efforts. They are off to a great start, and I wish them the best of luck. They have their work cut out for them, but it sure looks like a lot of people are cheering for them.

KRTS Transportation is in. We are a Founding School member, I am also helping out as an advisor to the group. This is something many have believed in for a long time. There is approximately 30 schools across Canada in every province with the exception of one who is on board and the traction this executive and Board of Directors has made since its launch in early 2024 is remarkable.

Are you a Red Seal Champion? Learn more at www.pttac and get on board.