Ontario to recognize veteran driving qualifications

Active and retired members of the Canadian military living in New Brunswick and holding a Department of National Defence (DND) 404 driver’s licence may obtain an equivalent New Brunswick commercial vehicle driver’s licence without additional training or testing.

The new measure, which is effective immediately, was developed with the support of Helmets to Hardhats Canada, a non-profit organization that partners with building trades organizations across the country as well as provincial governments to provide career opportunities to veterans and serving reservists.

“Job creation is our top priority, and that begins with ensuring we have a labour force in New Brunswick that is ready to work,” said Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Stephen Horsman, who also serves as the provincial government’s liaison with the military. “We are proud to partner with Helmets to Hardhats to assist our veterans in accessing career opportunities in the commercial trucking industry by transferring their military licensing qualifications to a commercial vehicle licence.”

New Brunswick joins other provinces in implementing this licensing process, designed to assist former and current members of the Canadian military in transitioning easily to the workforce as civilians.

“To the many military personnel with driving qualifications who are transitioning to civilian life, this is an excellent opportunity,” said Lt.-Col. Adam Zima, commanding officer of the technical services branch at 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown. “It will make the transition from military service to the civilian workforce quicker and more affordable. It is great news for our members and for the New Brunswick labour market”.

Current and retired military members can visit a Service New Brunswick location to begin the process. Applicants must present a full New Brunswick Class 5 driver’s licence or equivalent licence issued by another jurisdiction, along with a DND 404 licence as a first step.

Once the necessary documentation has been submitted to the motor vehicle branch of the Department of Public Safety, an upgrade for a Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 New Brunswick driver’s licence will be issued.

A retired military member is considered eligible for the licence upgrade if he or she retired within two years of the application date.

“Although the skills, training and experience of members of the military are often viewed as first class, their qualifications are not commonly recognized in the civilian job market,” said Gregory Matte, executive director of Helmets to Hardhats. “Accreditation of the commercial class equivalents of the DND 404 licence in New Brunswick will provide great work opportunities for veterans and employers alike from this day forward.”

No additional training or testing is required as equivalencies have been established in co-ordination with the motor vehicle branch and are determined by axles, passenger capacity and air brake status.

“We have been supportive of the work of both the provincial government and Helmets to Hardhats on this accreditation,” said Gary Ritchie, executive director of the New Brunswick Building Trades Council. “This opens the door to great opportunities for current and former members of the Canadian Armed Forces and helps us find solutions to labour shortages in the commercial driving industry.”

http://www.sackvilletribunepost.com/news/regional/2016/5/5/new-licensing-accreditation-helps-military-members-enter-nb-work.html

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Helmets to Hardhats Canada (H2H Canada) is applauding a new initiative in Ontario for people who have accreditation to operate trucks and large vehicles in the armed forces which will now recognize these qualifications in the civilian economy.
"It's good news for vets, because with this they can go and upgrade their personal civilian drivers licence, which will allow them now to go immediately and get work driving, whether it's a ready-mix truck or whatever it is," said said Greg Matte, H2H Canada executive director. "And, of course there is a shortage of qualified drivers in Ontario. It's just the right thing to do. It makes sense."

H2H Canada is a partnership with Canada's Building Trades Unions, employers and government, which helps anyone who has served or is currently serving in the armed forces make the transition to a civilian career.

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) announced on June 19 that Canadian military personnel and veterans will be allowed to exchange Department of National Defence (DND) 404 driver's permits for an applicable Ontario licence.

After an extensive review of DND licensing standards, the MTO found that training and testing requirements meet Ontario's licence testing standards.

"We knew the training and qualifications in the military were very high or probably higher than what is required in the civilian world," said Matte. "But, to actually get that recognized and get the bureaucracy to take the time and divert some of their attention and priorities to look at this was not an insignificant thing."

As of July 1, 2015, Ontario will waive knowledge and road tests for qualified applicants. But, they will still be required to complete a vision test, meet medical standards, satisfy identification requirements and payment of fees.

The new initiative will help those leaving the military to make the transition to civilian work, by assisting them to find jobs in the trucking sector.

Matte estimates the program will initially affect upwards of several hundred people, if not the low thousands.

The reason for such a positive outlook is that Ontario is providing a three-year period of retroactivity. This means Service Ontario will recognize the credentials of a person who has been in the service and retired up to three years ago.

The Conference Board of Canada released a study in 2013 that found Canada could experience a shortage of 25,000 to 33,000 for-hire truck drivers by 2020. According to the study, tens of thousands of current drivers are about to retire and there are a very small number of young drivers taking their place.

For example, the study estimates that in 2020 there will be demand for 77,300 for-hire drivers in Ontario, but the supply will be only 71,400. This leaves a supply shortage or gap of 5,900 drivers.

"This is significant for Ontario, because the grand strategy here is to try and get every single province and territory on board," said Matte who noted that Manitoba and Quebec have also moved forward with similar programs.

In addition, H2H Canada is also working with the Alberta government to have military driver's credentials recognized.

"Alberta hasn't approved yet. That's who we were working with originally and were hoping they would be the first ones to go forward," said Matte. "We are expecting an announcement in the next three weeks. They have already signed all the paper work but it hasn't been announced."

So, sometime in the near future, when vets retire in Alberta and have their training fully documented, they will be given credit for that as a commercial license.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance commissioned the Conference Board of Canada study titled "Understanding the Truck Driver Supply and Demand Gap and Implications for the Canadian Economy" in February 2013.

http://dailycommercialnews.com/Government/News/2015/6/Ontario-to-recognize-veteran-driving-qualifications-1008639W/