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Message from the Minister Dear Readers, Government helps unemployed Canadians develop new skillsLong-tenured workers who have lost their jobs due to the global recession will receive additional support through Canada’s Economic Action Plan. On May 25, 2009, Minister Finley announced how the Government is strengthening Canada’s Employment Insurance (EI) program to help workers who are in transition. Government of Canada and provinces support workers affected by economic downturnOn May 22, 2009, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) helped administer the signing of amended agreements between the Government of Canada and six provinces to help 144,000 Canadians hardest hit by the global recession get back to work. Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government is providing an additional investment of $1.5 billion over two years to support initiatives that help workers in affected communities and sectors in retaining employment or in transitioning to new jobs. Agreements with the remaining province and the territories are expected to be concluded in the near future. Government of Canada partners with industry to help workers adapt to changing marketOn April 22, 2009, Minister Finley announced Government of Canada support for industry‑led sector councils that will help improve workers’ skills and knowledge and address other human resources issues, such as occupational standards and recruitment. Government of Canada announces creation of Aboriginal Skills and Training Strategic Investment FundOn April 17, 2009, the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, on behalf of Minister Finley, underscored the Government’s commitment to supporting Aboriginal people by announcing the creation of the Aboriginal Skills and Training Strategic Investment Fund.Bus operators put careers in gear
JOB OPPORTUNITIES Current Job Opportunities in the busing industryinclude:
learn more at www.driveabus.ca They're behind the wheels of the familiar yellow school buses that deliver students to and from school and the motor coaches that transport passengers along scenic routes across North America. Bus operators enjoy the benefits of a portable skill that's consistently in demand. "We're always looking for skilled and qualified people," says Joan Crawford, executive director and CEO of the Motor Carrier Passenger Council of Canada (MCPCC). "We are a growing industry." She points to the 2006 Statistics Canada figures that indicate revenue increased 11.3% to $9.6 billion and employment rose 5.5% to more than 94,000 people across Canada over the previous year. With 40% of bus operators aged 45-64 years, more than one-third will be retiring over the next 10 years, the MCPCC reports. It's actively encouraging men and women aged 18 to 25 years to consider careers as bus operators, but it also welcomes older workers and those looking for a second careers. Bus operators represent 68% of the industry's workforce. Most companies are looking for drivers with at least a G driver's licence in good standing, Crawford reports. Training is typically provided by the company hiring the driver and is often an ongoing process throughout the operator's career. Mechanics and maintenance staff represent 7% of the industry's workforce. They inspect, troubleshoot, repair, replace and maintain operating systems and components, and are in particular demand among urban transit and inter-city carriers. The MCPCC is hoping to attract skilled trades to the industry through apprenticeship opportunities. "It's an industry of opportunity in all sectors," Crawford says. "We do have a good track record of promoting from within ... There is a career path within our industry, along with other benefits: a lot of stability, a lot of growth, a lot of portability. We are looking for drivers across Canada." The industry provides a wide range of career opportunities, including part-time and full-time work. The school bus industry, for example, is particularly attractive to drivers who want to work part-time, including stay-at-home parents and retirees. "School bus drivers have the flexibility of part-time work that allows their own children to ride along," says Glenn Attridge, vice-president of Attridge Transportation, the largest privately-owned school busing company in Ontario. It has a fleet of more than 500 school bus vehicles that service school boards in Hamilton, Wentworth, Dufferin, Halton and Peel regions. Training is provided at no charge to upgrade qualified applicants from a valid class G to a class B or E licence. "School bus driving is steady employment that is an essential service to the local community," Attridge says. "Bus drivers enjoy a great sense of responsibility while safely transporting children to and from school. This part-time job allows drivers to participate in other activities midday and offers the possibility of additional income through charter trips." Urban bus operators can work a variety of day and evening shifts, while tour coach operators enjoy the benefits of travel and can be on the road for up to a month at a time. THE RIGHT STUFF Bus operators require a variety of skills. In addition to to being cautious, good drivers, they need to be knowledgeable about driver-related mechanical systems, scheduling, safe driving practices and road regulations. Interpersonal, problem-solving, decision-making and organizational skills are important. Further computerization of fare boxes and location systems will call for a greater knowledge of computers. Visit www.buscouncil.ca linda.white@rogers.com View PDF of the original article http://career.jobboom.com/career-planning/career-options/2009/01/28/8176471.html KEEPING CANADIANS WORKING: New Improvements to Work-Sharing Program The Government of Canada introduced its Economic Action Plan to support Canadians during the global recession and invest in Canada’s long-term growth. As part of this plan, the Government is investing an unprecedented $8.3 billion in the Canada Skills and Transition Strategy (CSTS) to support workers and their families, including measures for income support and skills and training. Included in the CSTS are improvements to the Work-Sharing Program. Work-Sharing is an Employment Insurance (EI) program that assists businesses experiencing a temporary slowdown caused by factors beyond their control. It is designed to avoid layoffs by offering EI income benefits to qualifying workers willing to work a reduced work-week while their employer recovers. The Government has extended work-sharing agreements to a maximum of 52 weeks to allow companies a longer time to recover. Work-sharing represents a win-win situation. Employers can retain employees and avoid expensive re-hiring and re-training costs, and employees are able to continue working and keep their skills up to date. The Government has taken action to drastically reduce the waiting time between agreements. Employers who participated in a Work-Sharing agreement which ended prior to February 1, 2009, are immediately eligible to apply for a new extended agreement involving the same employees, without a waiting period between agreements. These changes will permit more employers to avoid lay-offs while their industry recovers from the recession. Extended WS Duration: Active WS Agreements, with start dates prior to February 1, 2009, will continue to their approved end date. Employers may then immediately apply for a new WS Agreement. Ease of Access to Work-Sharing Canada's Bus Industry is "On the Move" (O.P.S.) Richmond Hill , Ontario . Canada 's bus industry offers the logical solution to many of today's travel-related challenges and is poised for steady growth. Along with that growth come human resources opportunities and issues, according to the findings in a Motor Carrier Passenger Council of Canada (MCPCC) Human Resources Study, On the Move, involving over two years of in-depth research including national and regional industry, government, labour and education consultations. "These results offer tangible evidence supporting the value of the government's increasing investment in improving bus transportation across Canada ," says Michael Roschlau, Co-Chair, MCPCC, and President & CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA). On the Move examines the industry's preparedness, response and future in a changing environment within creased security threats, pandemics, environmental issues, restrictive legislation and increased workplace violence. Participants in the process concluded that the immediate future will see on-going attention to such priorities as meeting skills demands, dealing with an ageing workforce, occupational health and safety and combating limitations in the supply of qualified resources. "There will be an increasing collaboration and influence on policy development regarding these issues by our union," suggests Robin West, Co-Chair, MCPCC, and Canadian Director, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), underlining the joint union-management nature of the study. "Since the last Study in 1997, the industry has made solid advances in a variety of human resources initiatives," adds Joan Crawford, CHRP, and Executive Director of the Motor Carrier Passenger Council of Canada. "Programs have been introduced unique to the Canadian bus industry such as National Occupational Standards, National Certification of bus drivers, and Accreditation of training programs, attracting interest from the international community." Ms Crawford continues, "This research clearly demonstrates the importance of our bus industry to Canada's rapidly growing social and economic pace, increasing demand for safe, economical and environ-mentally sound transportation, and changing demo-graphics. Key findings of the Study emphasize the need for employers, unions, educators and government to focus more than ever on the skills of our workforce. With steady ridership and employment growth and retirements on the horizon, we are definitely looking for those candidates who possess the requisite skills of good communications and technical ability to join the ranks." "The Study contains recommendations on the key human resources strategies of Workforce Planning and Recruitment, Life Long Learning and Resources, Retention, Working Conditions and Industry Advocacy. With commitment and action to the recommendations in this Study, Canada's bus industry is positioned for great things, over the next ten years," concludes Ms Crawford. The Study is available on the Council's web sites www.buscouncil.ca and www.conseilautobus.ca BACKGROUND The Motor Carrier Passenger Council of Canada, funded in part by the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program, is anationally recognized resource, working to strengthen the bus industry'simage, profitability, and vitality. Their work is focused on several keyareas: raising awareness of and advocating for the busindustry across Canada,reaching government, edu-cation and the public; recog-nizing the outstanding ser-vice of bus professionals; promoting industry-widecareer opportunities and theexceptional training and development that has con-tributed to the industry'scommendable safety record.
Canada's Bus Industry is "On the Move" (O.P.S.) Richmond Hill , Ontario . Canada 's bus industry offers the logical solution to many of today's travel-related challenges and is poised for steady growth. Along with that growth come human resources opportunities and issues, according to the findings in a Motor Carrier Passenger Council of Canada (MCPCC) Human Resources Study, On the Move, involving over two years of in-depth research including national and regional industry, government, labour and education consultations. "These results offer tangible evidence supporting the value of the government's increasing investment in improving bus transportation across Canada ," says Michael Roschlau, Co-Chair, MCPCC, and President & CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA). On the Move examines the industry's preparedness, response and future in a changing environment within creased security threats, pandemics, environmental issues, restrictive legislation and increased workplace violence. Participants in the process concluded that the immediate future will see on-going attention to such priorities as meeting skills demands, dealing with an ageing workforce, occupational health and safety and combating limitations in the supply of qualified resources. "There will be an increasing collaboration and influence on policy development regarding these issues by our union," suggests Robin West, Co-Chair, MCPCC, and Canadian Director, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), underlining the joint union-management nature of the study. "Since the last Study in 1997, the industry has made solid advances in a variety of human resources initiatives," adds Joan Crawford, CHRP, and Executive Director of the Motor Carrier Passenger Council of Canada. "Programs have been introduced unique to the Canadian bus industry such as National Occupational Standards, National Certification of bus drivers, and Accreditation of training programs, attracting interest from the international community." Ms Crawford continues, "This research clearly demonstrates the importance of our bus industry to Canada's rapidly growing social and economic pace, increasing demand for safe, economical and environ-mentally sound transportation, and changing demo-graphics. Key findings of the Study emphasize the need for employers, unions, educators and government to focus more than ever on the skills of our workforce. With steady ridership and employment growth and retirements on the horizon, we are definitely looking for those candidates who possess the requisite skills of good communications and technical ability to join the ranks." "The Study contains recommendations on the key human resources strategies of Workforce Planning and Recruitment, Life Long Learning and Resources, Retention, Working Conditions and Industry Advocacy. With commitment and action to the recommendations in this Study, Canada's bus industry is positioned for great things, over the next ten years," concludes Ms Crawford. The Study is available on the Council's web sites www.buscouncil.ca and www.conseilautobus.ca BACKGROUND The Motor Carrier Passenger Council of Canada, funded in part by the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program, is anationally recognized resource, working to strengthen the bus industry'simage, profitability, and vitality. Their work is focused on several keyareas: raising awareness of and advocating for the busindustry across Canada,reaching government, edu-cation and the public; recog-nizing the outstanding ser-vice of bus professionals; promoting industry-widecareer opportunities and theexceptional training and development that has con-tributed to the industry'scommendable safety record.
“Put Your Career In Gear” Thornhill, Ontario: A national multi-media career awareness campaign has recently been launched promoting the appeal of the bus industry to young people across Canada. The Motor Carrier Passenger Council of Canada (MCPCC) has created this compelling campaign that opens the door to an industry with attractive opportunities and solid future. According to Joan Crawford, Executive Director, MCPCC, “We cannot ignore the reality that thousands of our skilled people are eligible for retirement over the next ten years. We’re working now, to attract new people through these career awareness initiatives as well as formally recognizing the professional competency of our workforce with a national program of certification.” Joan continues, “The whole campaign is geared towards putting real faces on our industry. While the ads highlight the strong appeal of working with high tech equipment, they clearly focus on the ‘heart’ of our industry – our people! The tag lines position the driver and mechanic as part of an extended family, which, of course, includes their many passengers. The campaign consists of in-bus advertising, which will run in most urban centres over the next 12 months, school packages, web site, radio advertising, and television. Anyone reading the ads will see an interesting, flexible, and meaningful career choice.” Joan continues, “We have had very good reaction to the campaign so far, from both those in our bus industry and the media who are running the ads. We’re also going to be promoting the campaign and career choices in the bus industry through trade shows, such as the Transport Skills Symposium in December. We’re hoping that career counselors, parents, students and others will be intrigued by this positive image of the bus industry as an employer of choice for those between the ages of 21 – 28.” The supporting web site, www.driveabus.ca, also features a listing of bus companies and associations, which can offer additional information for those who are researching opportunities in the bus industry. The Motor Carrier Passenger Council of Canada is a nationally recognized resource, working with the private sector and government to strengthen the bus industry’s image, profitability, and vitality. Their focus is identifying and addressing human resources issues within this industry. In partnership with Human Resources Development Canada, MCPCC provides counsel, products, and services, which promote life-long learning and skills development for individuals and companies in the motor carrier industry.
"Behind The Wheel - A Guide to Best Practices for the Planning, Recruitment, and Orientation of Bus Operators" Toronto, May 2, 2002: Just published by MCPCC, ‘Behind The Wheel’ is an in-depth Planning Guide that companies can use to further their ongoing human resources planning. The Guide, which is available in book format and on a CD-ROM, in French and English, was developed with direct input from bus industry experts, including labour, management, trainers, and human resource specialists. The Guide focuses on critical areas where companies can significantly improve their effectiveness, through the implementation of human resources ‘best practices’. Topics include such areas as planning, recruitment, selection, hiring, and orientation. Each is illustrated with real-life examples from the bus industry. The related easy-to-use Workbook will help those involved in the hiring process to improve their own competencies, supporting the ongoing development of their companies’ resources. To order ‘Behind The Wheel’, simply Click here and fill out the order form or for more information email us at info@buscouncil.ca. Behind The Wheel – positioning your business for long-term success.
"Preliminary Survey Results support Voluntary Certification" Toronto, September 17, 2001 … The Motor Carrier Passenger Council of Canada (MCPCC) is releasing the preliminary results of their national survey of the bus industry. The initiative, which saw over 10,000 surveys distributed to bus professionals and companies across Canada, was designed to gauge reaction to a proposed voluntary National Certification of professional Bus Operators. Joan Crawford, Executive Director, MCPCC, explains, “The establishment of the National Occupational Standards for Bus Operators, released in June 2000, was the first step in moving the industry towards voluntary Certification. With the ongoing cooperation and input from the industry, we launched these surveys in order to understand the perception in the field of the impact of Certification.” The industry’s response to the survey has been extremely positive, in both numbers returned and in the actual results. Joan elaborates, “We’re extremely pleased that literally thousands of bus professionals have taken the time to fill out the survey and share their thoughts. This information is crucial to the successful implementation of a voluntary Certification program, which is designed to positively impact the industry, Bus Operators and, of course, our passengers. Bus professionals have responded favourably across the country to the concept, which bodes well for its progress. Final tabulations on the research will be done by the end of November. The next step will take place later this fall, with national working groups developing a format for the program.” The Motor Carrier Passenger Council of Canada is a nationally recognized resource, working with the private sector and government to strengthen the bus industry’s image, profitability, and vitality. Their focus is identifying and addressing human resources issues within this industry. In partnership with Human Resources Development Canada, MCPCC provides counsel, products, and services, which promote life-long learning and skills development for individuals and companies in the motor carrier industry. For more information on the National Certification program and National Occupational Standards, please call (905) 884-7782.
"Canada’s
Bus Industry Welcomes National New Standards Affirm Sector’s Commitment to Pride in the Profession Toronto, September 26, 2000 … The Motor Carrier Passenger Council of Canada’s newly released National Occupational Standards for Professional Bus Operators are designed to raise the level and professionalism of drivers and provide requirements that can be adopted across the entire industry. The Standards, developed jointly by the Council, Human Resources Development Canada and all sectors of the industry, harmonize the competencies of the profession within urban transit, intercity bus lines, tour and charter, school bus, and accessible services transportation. “These Standards lay the foundation for a program of public and professional education and can be used for a variety of purposes including recruitment, training, curriculum development, career planning and certification of practitioners. This will, in turn, help us attract the best people into the profession,” said Joan Crawford, Executive Director of the Council. The Standards are relevant to people in the bus and coach industry because they:
Emphasizing that the benefits of the Standards will be felt both across the industry and within communities, Joan adds: “They offer a focus for career development and provide an impetus for those in the industry to learn new skills and improve existing ones.” She believes that the Standards provide employers with excellent guidelines for human resources planning and development to increase competitiveness and profitability. “The Standards are an important step in establishing industry criteria to meet the transportation needs of an expanding populace. They are multi-sector, dealing with bus transportation on the broadest level. We are promoting pride in the profession and stimulating public recognition”, says Joan. She emphasizes that every profession needs accepted levels of performance and these have now been standardized within the motor carrier passenger industry. “Professional Bus Operators hold a huge responsibility – the daily safety and well being of millions of people. By implementing a set of professional Standards that drivers can use to measure their performance levels, we will raise their image with the public”, adds Joan. The Standards can be ordered through the Council office. For further information on the Council, its products and services, please contact: Joan Crawford or Nancy Allen Deane
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