Mentors And Mentor Companies Play Key Role In Training New Drivers

Oct 21, 2020 - 4 years ago

The BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) is currently working with training providers to offer comprehensive quality industry recognized training based on the Professional Log Truck Driver Program and the Wood Fibre Hauling Safety Group (WFHSG) Driver program. These industry training programs are built to support the development of competent drivers and include a four to six week mentorship providing students with practical driving skills which support the knowledge component from their course instruction.
Both the mentoring companies and mentors play a key role in the training and professional development of new drivers. There is no substitute for the knowledge and skills that can be learned from an experienced driver, and the success of training relies on the participation of experienced industry drivers mentoring new ones. Companies willing to mentor new drivers understand the need for comprehensive training as shown by their commitment to these mentorship-based programs that focus on creating safe, professional drivers.
Mentors have unique competencies and are willing to work with a student and assist them in obtaining the necessary practical skills built from the knowledge and attributes learned from course instruction. While there are many highly skilled and knowledgeable Professional drivers out there, mentoring a new driver requires an additional and unique set of competencies combined with a willingness to share their cab with a student.

Mentors should possess:

Professionalism in all aspects of the occupation
Effective communication skills to help support the student through the learning process
Patience to work with an individual
Willingness to adjust to working more slowly in order to accommodate the students’ learning
The commitment to working with students for four to six weeks to develop the skills required of a Professional driver

The Okanagan College Program with groups of students in Oliver and Salmon Arm was the first Professional Driver Program to utilize the resources developed by the Log Truck Technical Advisory Committee
(LTTAC) with support from the Trucking and Harvesting Advisory Group (TAG), and the Wood Fibre Hauling Safety Group (WFHSG). The commitment by members of the LTTAC, TAG and the WFHSG was exemplified
by their willingness to mentor students. Students were placed with mentors from Munden Ventures Ltd., R&A Logging, Arrow Transportation Systems Inc., Valley Carriers, Sutco Contracting Ltd., D. Jones Trucking Ltd., Inwood Trucking and Agri-Trans Services. Additional opportunities were provided by DCT Chambers.
Building on the success of the Okanagan College Program, the BCFSC is collaborating to deliver similar programs with the College of New Caledonia in both Quesnel and Fort St. James. The current enrollment of six displaced forestry workers in the program at CNC Quesnel is a great indication of how the programs can support retraining of forestry workers impacted by mill closures.
If you are interested in learning more about mentoring, please contact the BCFSC Transportation Safety Department at [email protected].