Teamsters Local 213 will be training B.C.’s next generation of truckers and warehousers at their new facility in Chilliwack.
The 13,000-square-foot facility sits on three acres of land and will be host to three classrooms, multiple driving simulator machines and plenty of room for driving practice on site.
The Teamsters 213 training school will offer courses for driving, warehousing, and health and safety. All courses are available to Local 213 members and driving courses will be available to the general public.
“We came to a point where we looked at the training that’s being offered in the industry and we really wanted to put a Teamsters’ stamp on the quality, proficiency and diversity of the courses offered,” said Konrad Sears, administrator with the Teamsters 213 Training School.
The Local is opening the new facility, in part, to address B.C.’s ongoing shortage of highly skilled commercial truckers.
“This is a big step for us,” said Teamsters 213 principal officer Tony Santavenere. “We’re looking forward to providing students with, not only the best in training for commercial trucking and warehousing, but the best connections to good jobs in the transport and construction industries. If you want high-quality training that leads directly to high-quality employment, this is the school for you.”
The opening of the new Teamsters 213 Training School will mark the first time the local has operated its own physical training site since the 1980’s.
The property, located at 7984 Venture Place in Chilliwack, includes an outside parking and storage area—partially paved and partially gravel—for practical training. The paved portion is intended for commercial drivers’ license training and the gravel section will be used for training for off-road vehicles, like rock trucks and front-end loaders.
By the time the school reaches full operational capacity, it is expected to be the largest Teamster training school in Western Canada.
Overall, the goal of the new Teamsters training facility is to bring unity, pride and strength to B.C.’s workforce through quality education and training.
The training school’s team is made up of experienced professionals dedicated to providing exceptional service to all students. That team will work closely with Local 213 members and employers to provide tailored solutions that meet and exceed their expectations.
Another innovation that comes with the new training facility is Local 213’s collaboration with the Laborer’s International Union of North America Local 1611 (LiUNA 1611). The two unions have constructed and are opening the training centre as a joint venture.
Thanks to Premier David Eby for attending the Teamsters 213 Training School Grand Opening. And thanks to LiUNA 1611 and business manager Nav Malhotra for this joint partnership.
