The commercial trucking industry in Canada is the backbone of the economy, responsible for moving over 90% of all consumer goods and food across the country. As demand for freight transport continues to grow, so does the need for a skilled, safety-conscious workforce. In 2022, there were over 324,000 truck drivers employed in Canada, and the Conference Board of Canada predicts this number will need to rise significantly to address a projected shortage of 25,000 drivers by 2025.
Yet with growth comes challenges. Increased numbers of trucks on the road have coincided with heightened scrutiny around road safety. Data from Transport Canada reveals that large trucks were involved in approximately 21% of road fatalities in 2021, underscoring the critical need for enhanced driver training programs. Regulatory shifts, such as mandatory entry-level training (MELT) for new commercial drivers, further highlight the importance of standardized, high-quality training initiatives. And the industry can’t slow to a crawl while employers and drivers get trained.
The advent of eLearning has brought about transformative opportunities for the trucking industry to tackle these challenges head-on. In conjunction with online training platforms that offer scalable, flexible, and accessible delivery, these solutions are well-suited to the demands of today’s fast-paced transportation sector. Here’s how:
To truly harness the potential of online training, the trucking industry needs to adopt a top-down approach. Industry leaders, regulators, and employers must collaborate to develop and implement training solutions that are universally accessible and tailored to the sector’s unique needs.
Such an approach ensures:
This approach has been implemented in various Provinces across the country and for various specific training requirements. Our team has been involved in many of these, as we have a specific focus in the development of eLearning solutions for the industry. Our transportation portfolio includes a range of specialized programs, such as the Class 1 online MELT program in Saskatchewan, the air brakes refresher course in Ontario, and a micro-credential program for dispatchers in Nova Scotia.
Additionally, we developed nationwide online training for delivery, rideshare, and Class 1/A commercial drivers, all developed in collaboration with the Canada Safety Council. We’ve also recently embarked on a new partnership with Alberta’s Transportation Ministry, where we are co-developing a self-paced, online entry component for the upcoming Class 1 Driver Learning Pathway, which will launch in 2025.
This summary is intended less as a sales pitch (LOL), but more as a validation point that Canadian transportation regulators and industry oversight groups are seeing the value and importance of offering online components to their training programs, and doing so in a top-down manner to drive greater accessibility and expedited skill development for the benefit of drivers- and the industry as a whole.
At its core, embracing online training is about creating a safer, more efficient, and better-equipped workforce. By empowering drivers with accessible, engaging, and industry-driven training solutions, the commercial trucking sector can:
The future of Canada’s trucking industry hinges on its ability to adapt to changing demands and embrace innovation. Online training provides the tools necessary to not only meet these challenges but also drive meaningful progress. By equipping drivers with the knowledge and skills they need to excel, we can build a stronger, safer industry that benefits everyone—from drivers to employers to the communities they serve.
Investing in online training is more than a strategy; it’s a commitment to the safety and sustainability of Canada’s roads and the future of the commercial trucking workforce. Let’s embrace this opportunity to lead the way in skill development and road safety, setting a new standard for excellence in the industry. We love talking transportation training solutions, so feel free to check out our transportation training solution brief and visit us to learn more about our custom eLearning solutions and the SkillsPass training platform that hosts them!
HQ: St John’s
Newfoundland, Canada
1.800.563.3638
Email: info@bluedropism.com
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REIMAGINE
A seamless online training ecosystem connection for all stakeholders or partners…
DELIVER
Providing end-to-end training delivery and credential management for all training formats…
SAFEGUARD
With security and support that safeguards our client investments in two key ways:
Bluedrop’s experience and proven eLearning content development capabilities are foundational in supporting our customers’ upskilling & reskilling requirements, and in maximizing the power of the SkillsPass™ Integrated Skills Management Platform.
Whether for broad State/Province upskilling programs, or single use, rapid response training requirements for a specific industry requirement- we can deliver an online solution with proven effectiveness and verifiable training results.
Bluedrop has developed and deployed eLearning training to support large and diverse upskilling and reskilling initiatives of governments and industries around the globe.
Bluedrop has amassed a a vast library of proven and impactful eLearning courses. Specialization includes commercial truck driver training, workplace productivity, entrepreneurship and a host of regulatory inspired courses,
The eLearning content solution combined with our SkillsPass ISM platform to help connect workers, employers, and related stakeholders. We also offer full execution support and program management including marketing, adoption, and customer support specialists that help drive successful uptake and results.
Offers online training, certification, and credential management capabilities to support the transformation of broad-based upskilling/reskilling.
Is industry-agnostic, and is now securely deployed with governments, industry associations and employers around the world, with close to 3 Million users.
Enables the deployment of wide ranging course content options to support skill development including industry mandated, OH&S, and upskilling in those critical in-demand functions required in the new digital economy.
Provides partners with a digital, single line-of-sight into training results, credentials, and certifications at the industry through to the individual level.