Learn About Commercial Transportation
AMTA is here to put high beams on the ins and outs of the commercial transportation industry. Whether you’re looking to find a job that meets your needs or want to understand what employees are looking for, our short quiz will point you in the right direction. The information doesn’t stop there. We’ve also put together a list of resources—including driver stories—to further advance your success.
Welcome to a superhighway of employment information and resources for Alberta’s commercial transportation industry. From those interested in starting their commercial trucking careers to professional drivers and employers, AMTA has the information you need to find your direction and fuel your growth.
Future Employees
Interested in exploring your career options in commercial transportation? Start with AMTA. Learn about the transportation industry, discover how to get started, explore career paths in different sectors, and evaluate the employment opportunities that best meet your lifestyle.
Current Employers
Get the competitive edge that comes from staying informed. Here, you can learn what career options are offered in other sectors, help your existing employees sharpen their skills, and get the tools you need to accelerate your operational success.
Explore Sector Profiles
Not all busing and truck driving careers are the same. That’s why we’ve compiled a listing of sector profiles to provide you with snapshots of various commercial driving positions. As a prospective employee, this will help you understand the lifestyles associated with each sector, the methods of payment, what the work might look like, and so much more. As an employer, these snapshots will give you an idea of the other career types that are competing for Class 1 and 2 drivers.
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Dave
Current role:
Industry Advisor, Safety & Compliance, Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA)
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Read Dave's Story
After time away training with the army reserves, I had some money and decided to get my Class 1. I wanted to do long-haul work, but no one would hire me due to my young age and lack of experience. I ended up doing dock work at a warehouse and shunting trailers. They slowly got me going on smaller trucks around town and, in a few months, I moved over to a company that had me out on the road. I was a good worker and kept safe, so they gave me lots of opportunities. I later moved to a company that did mostly cross-border flatbed work, and I really liked it. I worked for them during the oil recession in 2016 and was grateful to have steady, good-paying work that whole time.
While I was trucking, I took an interest in safety and started working as a driver trainer. The company had room for a fleet safety manager, so I asked to be considered for the role and was promoted into it. They provided me with safety training in the form of the AMTA’s Certified Transportation Safety Professional (CTSP) program, and I still occasionally drove to help when they were in a bind or when a new driver needed some additional training. To me, safety and compliance is a fascinating world, and fleets always need good safety professionals. Eventually, I was hired by the AMTA as their Industry Advisor in Safety and Compliance. I’m grateful each day for my trucking experience, even though this role didn’t formally require it. My on-road experience helps me understand the challenges that drivers, fleets, and governments experience moving freight in a safe and reliable manner.
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Dylan
Current role:
Local delivery driver of bulk cement (Super-B trailers)
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Read Dylan's Story
I was in the finance industry but wanted something more stable during COVID. I thought trucking would be a good fit for me, and I called a school. They said they could put me on a payment plan, so I jumped right in. I called a bunch of places when I got my licence. I started with a reefer company. I worked with them for a month, but they didn’t have a safety program, so I left as soon as I could find a different job. I hauled oil for a bit from wells, and then, in the spring, I called my current employer and found out they were hiring. This is the first good trucking job I’ve had. I get to be home each night and have my own, dedicated truck. It’s a pretty good go. I get to see my family a lot and have most weekends off.
Other people in my Class 1 class were being put through on grants, and a few were already employed and their company paid for it. Some of them are still looking for jobs and have found other work.
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