- Details
- Category: Bulletin
For release on June 23rd, 2023
PMTC & Tenstreet Announce Recipients of the 2023 Young Leaders Education Bursary
The Private Motor Truck Council of Canada, along with the sponsor of the YLG Bursary awards, Tenstreet & The PMTC Young Leaders Group, were pleased to present 2 deserving individuals with the 2023 “PMTC Young Leaders Group Education Bursary” at its Annual General Meeting & Conference in Hamilton, Ontario. This year marked a slight change in who the awards were presented to as well. For the 2nd straight year 1 bursary was available to PMTC Members companies, while the other bursary was made available to students in Mohawk College’s Supply Chain Management Program.
Through a partnership developed in 2022, up to 5 students in the Mohawk program are provided a 1-year free YLG PMTC Membership. Each one of these students is assigned a mentor from PMTC’s Young Leaders Group and are taken to industry events to be introduced to the industry, make connections, and make for an easier transition into the field. 3 students are with us here today, and one of them was awarded a bursary.
Both awards were presented by PMTC’s YLG Chairperson, Leanne Drummond.
“These awards present emerging young leaders with the funds to take 2 of the 4 courses required to complete the PMTC Logistics Management Graduate Program,” stated PMTC President Mike Millian. “These courses are offered through CITT, a leader in Transportation Logistics training. When completed, this will arm these individuals with the skills and confidence necessary to climb the ranks in their organisation and help them become a successful Leader. We also believe this award will help promote investment in the training needs of our future leaders.”
The 2023 recipients are Udomsinachi Obioma from Mohawk College and Nick Subramaniam from Wellington Group of Companies
Udomsinachi Obioma, Mohawk College
Udomsinachi is an international student from Nigeria who has worked hard to maintain a high academic standing, earning an overall average of 92% in his final semester. He is passionate about supply chain management and the impact that it has on businesses and society. Throughout his studies, he has gained a deep understanding of the complexities of supply chain management and has been inspired by the ways in which companies can optimize their operations to create value for their customers. He believes that this field has the potential to drive economic growth and create lasting social impact, and Udomsinachi is committed to pursuing a career in this area. However, as a college student, he has faced financial challenges that have made it difficult for him to fully engage in his studies. Despite his academic success, he has also had to work part-time jobs to support myself, which he feels has limited his ability to participate in extracurricular activities and attend networking events. Despite this concern that he expresses of himself, his teacher at Mohawk indicates he is reliable, always attends classes, is always on time, and his assignments and quizzes are completed on time, and he has made the deans’ list, showing a true commitment.
Udomsinachi indicates that the PMTC Young Leaders Education Bursary will provide him with the opportunity to advance his education further by enrolling in supply chain certification courses with reputable institutions such as CITT. He feels these courses will enable him to gain specialized knowledge and skills that are highly valued in the industry and would help him stand out in a competitive job market and are courses that he otherwise would not be able to afford. By investing in his education through certification courses, he will be better equipped to make meaningful contributions to the field of supply chain management and create a lasting impact. Furthermore, Udomsinachi is also committed to giving back to his community. Prior to arriving in Canada, he volunteered his time and expertise as a mentor to young adolescents living with HIV where he coached them on life skills and helped them to develop a resilient mindset required to deal with the stigma associated with living with HIV. When he arrived to Canada, he registered to volunteer as a member of the Mohawk Green Team, showing his commitment to use his skills and knowledge to help others, which he plans to continue doing going forward.
Nick Subramaniam, Wellington Group of Companies
Nick joined Wellington in April of 2021. He was fresh out of school and looking for a place to set his roots. Nick joined Wellington in the capacity of a tracker & tracer and excelled in his role for the 5 months that he held it. He was eager to learn and advance in his career and was promoted to the role of Jr Account Manager in operations. Nick excelled there as well, and jumped at the chance to expand his knowledge and responsibilities even further, and was recently promoted to US operations manager, becoming the youngest person in the history of Wellington to achieve such a status. In this role he has led his team to much growth and success, and Wellington expects his progression to continue. Managers meet weekly with Wellington’s company President to discuss succession planning, and Wellington staff says it is obvious to them that Nick will one day become a director at the company. His manager states his intelligence and work ethic are strong, and his thirst for expanded knowledge and improvement is impressive. His manager also states he has hired over 50 people to work in the office at Wellington and feels without a doubt Nick has progressed the farthest in the shortest period of time.
For his part, Nick says he has a passion for this industry, and wants to learn as much as he can. Nick feels the bursary will allow him to expand his knowledge of theoretical components of the industry and feels he can use this knowledge to help elevate Wellington’s status even further to one of the biggest and best known companies, even further than their already well known and respected status. Nick wants to be part of Wellington for a long time, and feels this opportunity will help him become and even better employee to help Wellington and the Industry as a whole.
For more Information, contact:
Private Motor Truck Council of Canada Tel: 905-827-0587
225 Main Street East, Unit 5 email: info@pmtc.ca
Milton, Ontario, L9T 1N9 website: www.pmtc.ca
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- Details
- Category: Bulletin
For release on June 23rd, 2023
PMTC & KRTS announce recipient of the Professional CMV Driver Training Scholarship
The Private Motor Truck Council of Canada, along with sponsor KRTS, announced the recipient of the Professional Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver Training Scholarship at its Annual General Meeting & Conference in Hamilton, Ontario on June 22nd, 2023.
“The skill and professionalism that is required of today’s professional drivers is increasing with each passing year,” stated PMTC President Mike Millian. “For an entry level driver entering our industry to have the best chance possible to be successful, it is imperative that they receive the best in class training that is available. This scholarship, which provides training that is TTSAO certified & MELT approved, provides just that. We are thankful to KRTS for sponsoring this award and making this scholarship possible.”
To be eligible to receive this award, applicants must be employed by, or be a relative of a current PMTC member. They must have no more than 3 points listed against their Motor Vehicle Driving record. They must have no impaired, dangerous, careless, or similar driving convictions in the past 3 years. Must have no criminal code convictions or must have received a pardon or a waiver. The applicants must also have a conditional job offer as a professional driver, or a related field, pending successful completion of the Training Program. The applicant also had to be nominated by his or her employer, had to submit a resume and a 650 to 1000-word essay stating why they thought they were a good candidate for the scholarship and what their personal goals within the Transportation Industry are.
The 2023 recipient is Max Sundquist of Lincoln, On, employed by Spring Creek Carriers.
Max’s introduction to the trucking industry began when he was 5 years old, the first time his dad took him on a trip. Max’s dad has been a long-haul driver for over 30 years. Until Max began working for Spring Creek in 2020 however, as a dispatcher, he had not really envisioned a career in the transportation industry. Now that he has been in it for the last 3 years, he loves it. Max indicates he loves being part of such an amazing industry and playing a role in such an important industry to the economy and supplying people’s daily basic needs.
Max is passionate about the industry and wants to expand his knowledge of the daily struggles that a driver goes through, which is of central importance to his role as a dispatcher. Max feels going through Entry level Training at a quality certified school such as KRTS will help increase his knowledge and understanding of some of what a driver has to deal with.
In nominating Max, his employer Spring Creek Carriers, stressed that Max has an eagerness to learn, and an ability to quickly apprehend and understand challenges, and make suggestions for improvement. Max was hired in May of 2020, with the interview process beginning in April. This was just as Covid was in it’s infancy, and most places were in a flux, laying people off as opposed to hiring new. Despite this concern, Spring Creek saw enough through the 4 interviews they conducted to take a chance on Max. Max was hired in the Customer Service Relations department. Max quickly grasped the TMS & offered suggestions on how to improve it. He quickly began to understand Spring Creek’s model of LTL, and also how important it was to support the drivers. Max has been promoted to a junior role in outbound dispatch. In his new role Max has continued to ask questions, seek out guidance and improve in his role.
Whether Max stay’s in a role in dispatch, moves into the safety and compliance field, or becomes a driver down the road, he believes this Commercial Driver Training Scholarship will increase his knowledge and help him be an improved employee for Spring Creek and the Industry, and Spring Creek has committed to continue to support him in his career at their organization.
Please join me in congratulating Max Sundquist for receiving the PMTC-KRTS 2023 Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver Training Scholarship.
PMTC & KRTS both congratulate Max on receiving this much deserved training scholarship.
For more Information, contact:
Private Motor Truck Council of Canada Tel: 905-827-0587
225 Main Street East, Unit 5 email: info@pmtc.ca
Milton, Ontario, L9T 1N9 website: www.pmtc.ca
- Details
- Category: Bulletin
For Immediate Release
PMTC & AVIVA AWARD
PRIVATE FLEETS FOR SAFETY PERFORMANCE
The Private Motor Truck Council of Canada and Aviva Canada announced awards for Canadian Private Fleet Safety as part of the PMTC’s annual conference on June 22nd in Hamilton, On.
The competition is open to all Canadian private carriers, and membership in the PMTC is not a requirement. Judging is conducted by an independent panel and follows established criteria with a focus on the company’s overall safety regime and it’s over the road record.
The 2023 award winners were:
Mid-Sized Fleet, under 75 Power Units: John Deere Canada ULC.
Large Fleet, 75 and over Power Units: Home Hardware Stores Ltd.
“The members of the PMTC appreciate the support of Aviva for these private fleet safety awards. The awards are a tangible sign of the commitment of Aviva and the PMTC to truck safety, a commitment that has been part of the PMTC’s mandate since our inception in 1977.
“The process of applying for one of these awards provides a checklist for fleet managers to see what the best in class fleets are doing to maintain their safety programs. Even if you do not believe you will win an award, there is an immense benefit to going through the process of entering”, said PMTC President Mike Millian.
“Along with Aviva, we at the PMTC congratulate the management and drivers of these fleets,” Millian went on to say. “The efforts of everyone involved with these fleets, and many others in the PMTC membership, points to their desire to keep road safety foremost in their operations. All of the 2023 award winners and applicants deserve our congratulations.”
Millian also expressed the PMTC’s appreciation to Aviva for making these awards possible, saying that “Aviva is an example of a company that promotes and supports the safe operation of truck fleets – we, along with the trucking community, appreciate their involvement and support.”
Additional information on award winners follows.
Additional information contact:
Private Motor Truck Council of Canada Tel: 905-827-0587
225 Main Street East Fax: 905-827-8212
Milton, Ontario. L9T 1N9 website: www.pmtc.ca
email: info@pmtc.ca
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John Deere Canada ULC
John Deere has operated its private fleet in Canada for 46 years. It consists of 64 power units and 295 trailers running 11.2 million kilometers in 2022.
The fleet distributes agricultural parts throughout Canada and the United States. It is C-TPAT, CSA, and FAST approved.
The fleet personnel includes 76 employees, and their drivers are supplied by CPC Logistics Canada. As a ten-time winner of the Private Fleet Safety award, John Deere has demonstrated a strong commitment to safety in its operations.
The company has a written safety policy that is updated annually. Prior experience, education, and reference checks all factor into the hiring process.
Potential new-hires for driving positions are preferred to have 3 years of verifiable driving experience, are required to submit current driver and CVOR abstracts, undergo a pre-employment medical, drug and alcohol screening, and must pass a written and road test.
New hires receive 2 days of in-house training on company procedures, product handling, and safety practices. Drivers are trained and certified on TDG, HOS, and CSA regulations and participate in quarterly safety meetings. John Deere also uses Electronic Logs, and utilizes EOBR’s to monitor its driver’s compliance with speed limits.
John Deere conducts a full investigation into every incident involving the fleet, including written reports, interviews and remedial training where required.
Monthly supervisory and management safety meetings are held, and quarterly driver meetings.
The company also offers a broad-based safety related awards program for the drivers, which includes tracking performance on HOS, fuel consumption, over speed, sudden stops and on time performance, which can result in performance bonuses. This program has been strongly embraced by the drivers and has resulted in significant performance improvements.
All of this effort pays dividends as the John Deere fleet has an incredible CVOR violation rate of only 2.11% and an accident ration of 2.3 per million km’s.
Home Hardware Stores Ltd.
Home Hardware has operated one of the most visible private fleets in Canada for over 58 years. Home Hardware consists of 176 fleet related personnel; drivers, dispatch and technicians. The fleet consists of 148 tractors, 605 trailers, and 2 straight trucks, and in the current year they operated 20.8 million kilometers.
Selection of new drivers for Home Hardware is a rigorous process that consists of a review of their application, current driver and CVOR Abstracts and previous employment history. This is followed up by 2 interviews, as well as reference checks prior to a road test. Newly hired drivers receive a week of in-person and online orientation and training, dock training, and time accompanied by a driver coach.
If the new hire has less than 3-years’ experience, they will be placed with a driver coach for a period of up to 6 weeks, and must have gone through an approved Entry Level Training Course. Although drivers are continuously monitored throughtout the probation period, a formal performance review is undertaken with all new drivers after 3 months. Providing performances are acceptable, the driver may then offered full time employment.
All accidents or incidents are reported immediately and reviewed by a direct supervisor and the safety and compliance manager. GPS tracking, Elogs, statements, dashcam video and pictures are reviewed and an interview is conducted with the driver. Annually, all accidents are reviewed by an accident review committee, consisting of management members and a committee of drivers, elected by their peers. The committee will make a determination on preventability and on the driver’s eligibility for the companies’ safe driving awards, safe driving bonus program and a profit-sharing bonus program.
Home Hardware encourages its team members to participate in the Regional and Provincial Truck Driving Championships and has been named one of Canada’s Top Fleet Employers by Trucking HR Canada 10 straight years.
Home Hardware currently has an impressive CVOR violation rate of 7.03%. As a 10-time winner of the PMTC Fleet Safety Awards, Home Hardware continues to stand the test of time.
