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More than half of Saskatchewan’s semi-truck drivers are over the age of 45.
That number was shared by the Saskatchewan Trucking Association (STA) courtesy of a government database; and it's prompting renewed calls for government support to help train the next generation of drivers.
"As the age of Saskatchewan truckers continues to climb, the Saskatchewan Trucking Association is concerned about the significant financial barriers to education for new truck drivers in the province." read the mid-June release. "Currently, the average cost of the training required to obtain a class 1A driver’s license in Sask. is about 14 thousand dollars."
Executive Director of the STA, Susan Ewart, feels the government is not doing enough to support young people entering Saskatchewan's trucking industry. That's why they want the government to create a loan program that will lessen any financial burdens facing eager truckers.
“The trucking and transport sector is crucial to driving Saskatchewan’s economy forward and due to inaction from government, fewer young people can afford to get into the trucking industry putting the future of the entire industry at stake.”
The STA pointed out how students in 1A driver training are unable to apply for student loans in order to enroll. They did acknowledge a small tax rebate promised by the province for support, but that program has not yet been launched.
In order to get a 1A license an individual is required to complete SGI designed training through a private company, and once that education is complete, they must pass a test to be able to operate large on-highway commercial vehicles.
The cost for these classes is usually anywhere between $12,000-$1500 and includes the Mandatory Entry Level Training program that runs 121.5 hours using classroom time and practical driving scenarios. The 1A test is $75 itself.
A little under 12,000 truckers are registered in Saskatchewan.