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With the assistance of a number of consultants and funding through the Ontario government’s Skills Development Fund, the Ready Mix Concrete Association of Ontario (Concrete Ontario) has created its first-ever standardized training program for professional ready-mix drivers.

The completely volunteer program consists of a 160-page driver training manual, five PowerPoint presentations and five- to nine two-minute training videos on subjects such as concrete mixing, truck inspections and post-trip shut down procedures.

“Drivers are the backbone of the industry,” said Concrete Ontario president Bart Kanters in presenting a preview of the program at the recent Canadian Concrete Expo.

A final version of the manual will be submitted to the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development in mid-March, with a rollout of the program in April.

Work on the program began about a year ago and its creation is the culmination of significant efforts by a special dedicated project committee comprised of representatives of Concrete Ontario’s five standing committees: technical, environmental, labour and workforce, safety, and transportation. Each of those committees provided input.

The driver training manual is comprised of five key modules: concrete product knowledge; building environmental awareness; building customer and company relations; delivery and jobsite safety; and safe vehicle maintenance and operation.

Some of the topics included in those modules include how concrete is made; spill prevention at the plant and the jobsite; how to meet and exceed customer needs; and what to do in the event of an incident or if the truck gets stuck on the jobsite.

Originally the manual was intended to be 50 pages, but “ramped up” to 160 pages.

Two hard copies will be given to each of Concrete Ontario’s 80 producer members. Drivers will be able to access a low resolution interactive version on their tablet and cellphones, the audience was told.

With the aid of content material in the PowerPoint presentations, the producer members will deliver the training and conduct the two 40-question examinations. Drivers must obtain a 70 per cent score to pass, after which they will receive a driver certificate that is valid for five years, he said.

While the program is geared to new drivers, Kanters believes existing drivers will opt to take it because of the pride they have in their work and will appreciate the recognition the certificate will convey.

The origins of the training program can be traced back to the 2018 formation of the association’s labour and workforce committee.

Among its many objectives is addressing the issue of an aging workforce and elevating the benefits of working in the concrete industry.

In an interview after the conference, Kanters said the association recognized the need to provide training to attract new drivers. But the first step was having a training program in place.

A phase two application for funding for actual training for new drivers in 2027 will be submitted to the province later this year, he said.

Key partners in the program’s development included the Cement Association of Canada, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Concrete Canada, Andrea Boddy Consulting, Job Talks and Twin Design.