Expert Exchange: A conversation with trucking employer Kriska Holdings Ltd.

Upgrading or choosing a new career path can be difficult. That's why triOS College is working with hundreds of corporate partners, like Kriska, to make the transition into employment easier for graduates. In addition, triOS is working with these partners to shape curriculum.  Recently, triOS College CEO, Frank Gerencser, sat down with Kriska's Recruiting Manager Caroline Blais to discuss industry needs and career opportunities.

triOS: What does Kriska look for in a new driver?

Kriska: We look for individuals that understand the difference between having a licence and being a true professional. Our industry is shaped by the behaviour of truck drivers. Being safe and courteous are key responsibilities and we need to make sure that the people we hire recognize this.

triOS: What do you look for when you review an applicant’s resume? 

Kriska: Most of the drivers we hire are new to the industry. As such, I make sure the driver has received training from a Ministry-approved program at a registered college.
If they went to a fly-by-night, illegal trucking school, we suggest they consider re-training in a registered program.

We believe that the investment the student makes in their education is just as important as the investment we make in them as an employee.

triOS: Give us your perspective on the Professional Transport Operator + Internship program at triOS College. 

Kriska: This program is very unique. It's the first program that adds a whole other dimension to the training that new drivers receive.

It goes beyond teaching them to operate the equipment to get their A-Z licence, and focuses on the many layers of the industry.

We believe this knowledge will produce better employees because they will understand how their actions impact other areas of the business. For example, if drivers are delayed, they will understand how a late delivery affects service levels and how service levels shape customer relationships.

triOS: There are some schools that offer truck driver training as low as $1,000 - $2,000. What is your perspective on this type of training?

Kriska: A graduate of a discount school would have a difficult time qualifying for our training program or being hired by our company. Many discount programs eliminate important information, making the training insufficient.

Our new employees go through a training program built upon the foundation they would have received through our partnered schools. Our training program is an investment and we look for graduates that have in-truck training and in-class instruction.

We also prefer that people have an understanding of all parts of our business such as the Transportation of Dangerous Goods, Border Crossing Procedures and Hours of Service regulations.

Ultimately, we are looking for candidates that are prepared to start their career by making an investment in themselves by attending a credible school recognized by our industry.

triOS: What makes Kriska different from an employer / employee relationship? How do you treat your drivers differently than others?
Kriska: We know that being an over the road driver is not easy, so we spend time communicating with our drivers.

We survey them for feedback on key issues like pay, benefits, home / worklife balance and conduct regular wage comparisons to ensure our drivers are very well compensated.

Our drivers can also explore various career options including training, becoming an owner-operator, or moving into an internal position. We know our methods work because in 2012, we were recognized as one of North America's 20 Best Fleets To Drive For.

We have a very good safety record, good equipment and a great reputation in the industry.

We want to hire individuals with similar values, so we make significant investments in our School Partners Program and the Voluntary Commercial Tractor-Trailer Driver Apprenticeship program. both Programs help us stay connected to new graduates and Ministry-approved schools.

About triOS College Business Technology Healthcare

Since its inception in 1992, triOS College has prepared over 20,000 job-ready graduates for rewarding careers. triOS is the proud recipient of numerous distinctions including being named one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies two years in a row. triOS has nine campus locations across Southern Ontario and is registered as a Private Career College under the Private Career Colleges Act of Ontario. more information about triOS College may be found at www.trios.com

About Kriska Holdings Limited

Established in 1978, the Kriska Group of Companies is a privately held, family owned Canadian corporation. By adopting innovation early, Kriska is prepared and equipped to deliver continuous growth and improvement to their customers. As an eight-time winner of the Shipper's Choice Award and a Platinum Club Member of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies, Kriska is a truckload specialist company committed to reliable and efficient North America wide access

OACC: Choosing a Career College

Choosing a Career College

By Alix Matthews-Mahé

- Media Communications Coordinator, Ontario Association of Career Colleges

Every year, over 60,000 students choose to pursue post-secondary education at one of Ontario’s career colleges. Career colleges offer hands-on learning in a variety of skilled fields, often in just a matter of months. But, with over 600 campus locations dotted across the province, how do you decide which one is the best fit for you?

The following is a list of 5 essential tips on choosing a career college:

1.  Do your research

Find a college in your area or one that offers the program you’re looking for. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, you can go to www.ontario.ca/pcc to make sure the colleges you’re looking at are registered with the ministry. Also, check into professional associations, such as the Ontario Association of Career Colleges, to see if the colleges are members in good standing.

2.  Book a tour

Visiting a career college is often the best way to get a feel for the school. During the tour, you will have the opportunity to talk to teachers and students, check out the classrooms and equipment, and picture yourself as a student there.

3.  Ask questions

Try talking to current students, alumni, instructors, and employers, and ask them as many questions as you can. Colleges can often put you in touch with graduates and businesses that have hired their students, so that you can hear about their experiences with the college first-hand.

4.  Compare and contrast

Whether you walk into a college and its love at first sight or if you aren’t quite sure if it’s the right one yet, it’s always a good idea to compare. By booking a tour at another college and comparing student experiences from several campuses, you should get a good idea of what college and learning environment works best for you.

5.  Look into funding options

Career college students use a variety of funding options including personal funds, Second Career funding, WSIB funding, and OSAP. If you require OSAP funding, make sure the college is OSAP designated. If not, speak to a representative at the college to see what other options are available. 

Established in 1973, the Ontario Association of Career Colleges is a provincial voice for career colleges. OACC has over 280 members who contribute to the province’s economy by training a majority of the 60,000 students who enroll in career colleges annually in hundreds of essential, skilled fields. Visit our website at www.oacc.ca or find them on Facebook and Twitter.

Open House – Internationally Educated Engineers

Open House – Internationally Educated Engineers

Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 1:00 pm

 

MISSISSAUGA - On Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 1:00 pm, the EPIC College of Technology is holding an open house session for all Internationally Educated Engineers (IEE) who are pursuing their professional license (P.Eng.) in Canada to introduce its Technical Exam Preparation course program.

This informative session helps you decide which course(s) you should be taking, discussion on how the courses are run, what course load you can expect, the difficulty of the courses and what materials you will be provided with.  In addition, you will have an opportunity to meet and chat with some of the course instructors.

If you would like to attend this free open house session, please call Ruby at 1-888-374-2338 ext 222 or e-mail iee@epic-edu.com to reserve your space.

There is no cost to attend this open house session but space is limited so please reserve your spot today!

http://www.epic-peng.com/open-house-internationally-educated-engineers/

EPIC College of Technology Campus

5670 McAdam Road

Mississauga, ON L4Z 1T2

National Academy turns 33; named "Best Career College"

National Academy celebrates 33^rd Anniversary, accepts recognition of Best Career College

National Academy celebrated its 33^rd anniversary as a Private Career College, one of Canada’s oldest and most trusted, while also accepting the Reader’s Choice Gold Award for Best Career School.  This recognition is the latest in the history of a school that has been recognized for its outstanding education, personable and experienced staff & faculty and ample employment prospects for its graduates.

National Academy, with both a Mississauga and Hamilton campus, offers a range of specialized Diploma programs in Healthcare, Business and Law.  Students enjoy hands-on, instructor-led training, blended with a rich history of a successful culture that gives its graduates a jump start into their career.  Their recipe for success involves small classes, job placements and instructors with real-world experience.  Within just a few minutes of visiting a National Academy campus, it’s evident that they are committed to your success and career goals.

Unlike traditional educational institutions, National Academy focuses on applied learning.  The student experience is interactive, intimate and accountable.  Students are prepared for success throughout their program, known on a first name basis and guided towards success.  The university and college system focus on student volume, while National Academy is focused on student success.  With class sizes under 20 (not 200) and hands-on training versus strictly theoretical, it is clear that National Academy sets a new benchmark in the education industry.

“Our success is our students and the graduates that we prepare for employment” explains Mark Harrington, President of National Academy.  “From our industry-low OSAP default rate (meaning that graduates get jobs and pay back their OSAP) to the experience that our faculty shares with our students in the classroom, we are proud of what we’ve built and the opportunities that our students and graduates have.  The recognition of Best Career College is a tribute to our staff and students.” he adds.

OSAP Defaults gage the success of a school’s graduates through its ability to repay their student loans.  In logic, a working graduate is able to repay their student loan without default.  National Academy, for the 3rd year in a row, came in at 7.8% (92.2% re-payment) – significantly better than the average of all private career colleges (15.2%, 84.8% re-payment) and community colleges such as Sheridan College and Mohawk College (10.5% Default, 89.5% re-payment).

With innovative Diploma programs, including Medical Lab Technician, Intra-Oral Dental Assistant and Police Foundations, National Academy offers more than 15 Diploma programs in Healthcare, Business and Law. 

About National Academy

The National Academy of Health & Business is a leading Career College with campuses in Mississauga and Hamilton. National Academy has been training individuals for careers in Healthcare, Business and Law Enforcement for over 30 years.

Press details can be confirmed through

Jason Johnston
Jason@nahb.ca
416-846-1057

Information:

National Academy of Health & Business

Phone and email:

Mississauga: 1.888.306.0991
mississauga@nahb.ca

Hamilton: 1.888.446.4649
hamilton@nahb.ca

triOS College receives CSCSC Accreditation

triOS Supply Chain Programs Meet Rigorous Standards to Achieve Accreditation from the Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council

Mississauga, ON – As a testament to the calibre of the curriculum, triOS College Supply Chain & Logistics programs have been accredited by the Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council (CSCSC) through its National Accreditation Program (the NAP). The accreditation is only granted when educational institutions meet rigorous criteria set by the Council's national standard.

“The Council is pleased that triOS has successfully completed accreditation of two of its programs. Development and implementation of new curriculum offerings by learning system providers will help to meet increasingly complex and demanding skill and knowledge requirements in our sector. The impact of triOS graduates on employers and the sector will be watched with enthusiasm,” said Kevin Maynard, Executive Director of the Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council.

The Council’s standards for accreditation were created with significant input from supply chain sector stakeholders. The standards are based on national and international best practices and principles. The criteria for obtaining accreditation include program design, development, delivery, and student evaluation. As an accredited program, the Supply Chain & Logistics course offered at triOS College has shown that it meets all of those standards.

“We are elated to have our Supply Chain & Logistics program accredited,” said Wendy Churchill, Director of Academic and Employment Services. “The program was developed to meet industry demand for skilled employees in this sector. Achieving this accreditation is a monumental accomplishment and will help our graduates secure excellent careers in the supply chain sector.”

This noteworthy accreditation adds to the numerous highlights of both programs, Supply Chain and Logistics + Internship and Supply Chain and Logistics. The highlights include: Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA) Certification, Supply Chain & Logistics Association Canada (SCL/CAL) membership and an internship component. The accreditation from the Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council was granted in October 2012 and is effective for three years.

About triOS College

Since its inception in 1992, triOS has prepared over 20,000 job-ready graduates for rewarding careers. triOS is the proud recipient of numerous distinctions including being named one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies two years in a row. The college offers a career-focused approach to education enabling graduates to start careers in business, technology, healthcare, and law. Students receive real-world experience from internship placements included in most programs. triOS has campus locations across Southern Ontario including: Windsor, London, Kitchener, Hamilton, Mississauga, Brampton, Toronto, Scarborough and Oshawa. triOS College is registered as a Private Career College under the Private Career Colleges Act of Ontario. More information about triOS College may be found at www.trios.com.

– END –

For more information:

Brittany Tkach, Communications Coordinator,
905.814.7212 x1037 or brittany.tkach@trios.com