Northern Lights Public Schools (NLPS) will have local drivers hopping on the bus as part of their new training school.
The division received approval from the province in August to offer Mandatory Entry Level Training, along with “S” endorsement Class 2, as a result of new requirements for bus drivers.
NLPS purchased a new bus to train participants on, and have a senior instructor and two driving instructors. They will offer the courses in Bonnyville and Lac La Biche for their own and other contractors.
According to Matt Richter, director of transportation for NLPS, the new training consists of just over 18 hours in the classroom, 11 hours of yard work, and 24 hours behind the wheel.
“Changes to Alberta Transportation is making it more restrictive for drivers to get into the industry. When this was first rolling out, the only options were basically Edmonton and Calgary at the time. It really had nothing in northeastern Alberta to service our contractors,” he said, adding it could affect drivers who were looking to get into the field.
Due to the program being new, NLPS being able to provide the courses is beneficial for the area.
“It will help with the travelling because there’s not very many driving schools,” noted Marlena Bowering, NLPS bus driver and senior driving instructor.
The original deadline set by the province to complete the Mandatory Entry Level Training was March 1, 2019. It was later extended after school boards expressed concerns.
Drivers who had their qualification prior to Oct. 10, 2018, are grandfathered in, and won’t be required to take the additional training. Anyone else has until July 2020 to complete the courses.
“You have to go through the complete course. It’s a lot of work, but it makes it even safer. Bus drivers probably have done more training than a lot of other driving industries, especially school bus drivers,” Richter explained.
Bowering agreed that bus drivers are transporting precious cargo, “and it’s really important to have that safety behind it.”
She continued, “It gives more bus drivers more knowledge of the road and how to be a defensive driver so if they’re in a situation they know how to handle it. They’ll spend more hours on the road with the training, and they also have more classroom hours as well. They’re going to learn a lot.”
Staff and volunteers within NLPS are already being offered the chance to participate, Richter said they plan to open it up to more drivers and groups in the future.
With all of the unknowns surrounding the mandatory training, Richter has heard positive feedback from local contractors about NLPS being approved to offer the training.
“They’re glad that we did it because it would be a real pickle for them. For them to send someone, if the courses were in Edmonton for example, they have to send someone there for two weeks. That’s a lot of costs... so that’s why we got involved, is to reduce the cost for our contractors.”
while Richter has concerns surrounding the demand the new training puts on those interested in getting into the industry, he’s pleased to see it being implemented.
“People might not be able to commit the time, but at the end of the day, it’s needed and a win-win in my mind. It does make you a way better driver. I’ve been driving for years, but I learned a few little things on being a driver. From this, I personally would like to develop a defensive driving-type course for staff as an... internal training.”
