The Process

Interested applicants will reach out to PEITSC staff for an intial consultation.  In doing so, applicants will be pre-screened and prospective candidates will be asked to come in for an interview.  Candidates will be interviewed by both employers and sector council staff.  

After  a candidate is chosen, they will begin their Class 1A training and will be both monitored and mentored.   Participants will attend training for eight weeks at which time they will move on with their prospective employer to complete a four week internship.  After the internship, participants will then begin their new career as a professional driver.

The program is designed to help break down some of the barriers that may prevent someone from pursuing training.  The biggest barrier for most is a financial one. We will therefore be covering 80 percent cost of the training, as well as provide a weekly stipend to offset some of the financial burden.  Another common barrier to entering the industry is most new entrants do not already have a connection to the industry which leaves them struggling with what companies they should approach for employment.  We hope to alleviate this by bringing the employers to the table in the selection process.  PEITSC, Skills PEI and our industry partners will ensure participants and companies are paired in a manner that complement one another. 

What do we fund?

As part of the Find your Drive initiative, the PEITSC will provide financial assistance for:

• 80% of the 12 Week driver training program 
• Weekly paid living allowance (12 weeks) 
• Financial incentives to bring more coaches to the program
• The Carriers Edge driver training program to address any identified skills gaps (post-course completion)

What is not covered through funding?

During the initial screening process for this project, applicants will be required to submit industry-required documents as to determine employment eligibility.  This will include, a driver’s abstract, a driver’s medical certificate and a criminal background check.  The cost of these documents are the responsibility of the applicant.  For those that get through the initial screening, an essential skills assessment will also be required at an additional cost $150.00 to the applicant.

Program Requirements

Participants must be looking to enter the industry as full-time truck drivers.  This program is not for those seeking part time work or to supplement another income.  In order to gauge each applicant's employability prospects in the industry, each of the three previously-mentioned required documents applicants must submit--i.e. Driving Abstract, Criminal Record Check and Driver’s Medical Certificate--will be assessed accordingly.  Candidates with issues related to these documents may be screened out.  Participants must put in the effort required of the training.  This includes perfect attendance during training.

Most importantly, we want people with drive! We hope that our participants really want this opportunity and want to make the best of it.  If this sounds like you, don't hesitate--apply today!

 This program is currently up and running and will continue to be so until October 2023 or at which time all seats have been filled.

*Please note, seating is limited.  

 To apply, please reach out to our Workforce Development Officer, Scott MacLeod at scott@peitsc.ca or (902) 566-5563

Take a look below to see what types of coverage our plan has to offer.  This policy has been tailered to meet the needs of our PEI trucking industry.

To be eligible to be a member of our PEI Trucking Health Benefits Program, you must be a trucking or trucking related company based on Prince Edward Island.  Each company must have at least two people on a plan.  Your company must have proof that it is a legitimate business (i.e. tax number).  That's it!  The plan requires no medicals prior to signing on.  It is an outstanding plan at an excellent rate! What are you waiting for?