Mandatory training for commercial truck drivers on its way

Mandatory training could soon be required to drive a commercial truck in Saskatchewan.

According to Joe Hargrave, the minister responsible for SGI, the province is set to announce it next week.

Hargrave said it is something the government has considered since 2017.

“Mandatory training, or at least standardized training, should’ve been done years ago. We’re looking at what’s the best way to do it,” Hargrave said.

“There’s been a lack of training for years, where you or I could hop into a truck, get your learner’s (permit) one day in a semi and next day go and pass the test. That’s just not responsible.”

The minister said the government has consulted the trucking and training industries, as well as other stakeholders.

Hargrave noted one of the concerns brought up by the industry is that mandatory training could make it harder to recruit drivers.  He added many companies offer their own driver training.

Hargrave said truck driving is a profession akin to a skilled trade and that the industry wants similar respect.

“I think that generally, we’re falling on an area that the vast majority of the industry will get behind,” he said.