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Choosing The Right School
Choosing the right school is an important part of your career decision. Companies and transportation companies now demand that new operators complete a certified training program in order to be eligible for employment. We have put together a list of questions you should ask of any potential school:
- Are you registered and bonded by the Ministry of Education
(416) 314-0500. - Are you certified by the Truck Training Schools Association of Ontario?
- Is the training one on one?
- Is all training done in both tandem tractors and trailers?
- Do you train on Vans and Flat Decks (48 & 53 foot) As well as loaded “B” trains (Double Trailers)
- Does the school train on loaded equipment? If yes, how much weight?
- Is the student trained on more than one gear pattern? (A student should be trained on at least two shift patterns – 9, 10 and most importantly 13 and 18 speed)
REMEMBER WHEN YOU GO FOR A JOB YOU MUST PASS A ROAD TEST WITH A COMPANY AND THEY EXPECT YOU TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE ANY TRUCK
Many schools train on only one or two transmissions and train on empty equipment.
- Does the school have written and oral interview acceptance program?
- Can the school provide verifiable placement statistics?
- Does the school have a third party auditing their facility? (If yes, who performs the audit?)
- Does the school keep report sheets on each student which are signed by both student and instructor? (Ask to see these forms!)
- Is the school willing to be inspected by the funding agency?
- What is the classroom ratio of students to instructors?
- How many hours on-the road driving is given to each student?
DO NOT be fooled by the number of lessons, it’s the number of hours behind the wheel.
DO NOT be fooled by unlimited road tests.
- How many hours of theory are given?
- Do they have a paved practice yard with loading doors and docks?
- Do they have indoor training for trucks/forklifts or do you stand out in the wet or cold, or do you train at the side of the road?
- Is the training done on site? For example air brakes.
Establish The Actual Cost of Training
To establish the actual cost of training. Call any school and ask the cost of the training if you are paying for the course on your own.
With a 2nd call (or have someone else call), mention that you are sponsored through the government and find out the cost of training.
NO REPUTABLE SCHOOL WILL PROVIDE DIFFERENT RATES REGARDLESS OF WHO IS PAYING.
This is a career change-take the time to visit our school and become an informed consumer.