Switching from a military life to a civilian life is a difficult process. While you have exceptional skills and experience, most companies won’t be able to use them. Several veterans in Canada are underemployed and ultimately paid less than they deserve. In simple words, they are underpaid and overqualified. And that’s exactly why commercial trucking is a great career choice for veterans in Ontario. You already have the life skills to manage your day-to-day on your own, great leaders and team members, and get paid well along with benefits and perks.
Why are military veterans valued in the trucking industry?
Military veterans possess a number of skills that makes them excellent truck drivers in Ontario including:
- Ability of adapt and manage flexible schedules
- Dependable and responsible
- Leadership abilities and understanding the value of teamwork
- Logistic efficiency
- Mental endurance
Benefits of becoming a truck driver in Ontario
The trucking industry is one of the biggest employers in Canada and over 100,000 use trucks to deliver goods every day. Having said that, the industry is also going through a major shortage of over 55,000 truck drivers. It has already started impacting logistics companies and resulted in delayed deliveries.
1. Career security
If you’re performing well and being a responsible driver, there’s no way the company will ever fire you. Logistics and delivery companies are going through a huge shortage of truck drivers.
2. Great steady pay and benefits
On average, a new truck driver earns a starting salary anywhere between $45,000 to $55,000, which is equivalent to what a recent graduate would make after a university degree. Getting a class A licence costs a fraction of university fees and the MELT program is only 5 weeks long.
3. Flexible work schedule
As a new truck driver you won’t get the luxury of picking your hours but as you get more experienced, your company will offer you a flexible work schedule. In the first couple years, your biggest goal should be to get as many kilometres as you can and practice coupling/uncoupling, backing up, and driving during winters.
How do I become a truck driver in Ontario?
To become a truck driver in Ontario, you will have to give a written test, attend a 5-week long MELT program, and clear the class A driving test. We have detailed information on our website, which you can check here.
Our 5-week Mandatory Entry Level AZ Tractor-Trailer (MELT) program includes 103 hours of training. Students will learn shifting techniques on multi-speed transmissions, regulations on work hours, pre-trip inspections, and border crossing.
We also have PROMO running until our new batch fills up. For $3999, you get the complete MELT program and two road test attempts. Our instructors have several decades of experience and personalise the course so you make the most out of it. Give us a call today and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.