One of the trucks students learn to drive in a Safety Connections. (Photo Courtesy Ross Lavigne)

By Teagan Rasche

An industry that won't go away

Class 1 license demand can’t keep up with looming truck driver shortage

Oct 6, 2021 | 4:25 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Cathy Beauregard was looking for a different opportunity.

“I’ve been in management for years and I wanted something different so I decided to come and drive a truck,” Beauregard said.

She is now a student at Safety Connections working on her Class 1 license as a way to open more doors.

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Her timing couldn’t be better.

In just two short years, Alberta could be facing a shortage of 3,600 truck drivers resulting in some goods being delayed.

“It’s one of those necessary industries that is never going to go away,” Janice Kirchner, owner of Safety Connections said.

One of the challenges is getting enough people trained quickly.

Kirchner says she has seen an increase of people from all demographics interested in becoming truck drivers, but there is a waitlist at her business.

“Trucking is something that isn’t ever going to go away, that people can make a living out of and it is certainly something that we appreciate for all of those who are taking on that occupation,” Kirchner said.

To help fill the expected shortage of commercial drivers, the provincial government is offering grants. Beauregard is receiving an Alberta Labour one through Safety Connections.

“It just makes you feel good for being a woman and being in this industry. It opens up a lot more doors being a woman in this industry,” Beauregard said. “There’s not that stigma around it anymore; it’s getting away from that stigma.”

A few trucks over is Patrick Gaudreault.

After spending years driving, mostly in the oil fields, he’s now training to become an instructor. He’s ready to pass on his knowledge and inspire people to join the industry he loves.

But Gaudreault acknowledges the challenges.

“I wish that insurance prices, fuel prices would be a little better for truck drivers,” Gaudreault said. “I feel like that’s why we’re not getting as many new truckers in the industry and why it’s harder for people to be on their own now.”

But despite industry challenges, Kirchner says many students walk into work as soon as they have a license in their hands.

After the 127-hour program, people are ready to hit the road on their careers.