In March 2024, Alberta’s government announced changes to Class 1 drivers’ licensing and training to ensure commercial truck drivers in Alberta have the right mix of competencies and licensing to perform their jobs professionally, safely and efficiently.
Starting April 1, drivers are required to complete Class 1 driver’s licence training through the new made-in-Alberta Class 1 Learning Pathway, which uses a flexible, apprenticeship-style approach to training. The complete Class 1 Learning Pathway includes up to 133 hours of instruction, including air brake training, offering more hands-on skills and safety training than the former 113-hour Mandatory Entry Level Training Program. Enhanced in-cab training will provide learners with more hands-on experience and practical, competency-based learning.
Budget 2025 invests $54.1 million over three years in the Class 1 Learning Pathway grant program to support training and transferability, and to attract and retain new commercial drivers in Alberta. The new grant program uses an employer-driven and industry-led model that will help employers invest in their workforce and build capacity in the transportation industry to address challenges related to the commercial driver shortage in the province.
“Alberta needs more truck drivers. With this historic investment, we are ensuring Albertans get the training they need to become highly skilled commercial drivers, increasing safety on our roads, and helping them build long-lasting careers.”
“Alberta relies on its commercial truckers to deliver goods from one corner of the province to the other, representing a crucial component of our economy. This investment will ensure that Alberta continues to attract and retain reliable, safe and educated commercial truckers that have the right training and skills to continue driving our province forward.”
The competency-based Class 1 training includes content specific to the unique terrain, weather, cargo and equipment in Alberta’s commercial driving industry. Safety, wellness and responsibility are also foundational to the new Class 1 training curriculum, with additional content focused on personal health and well-being, workplace safety and incident response.
The Class 1 Learning Pathway also focuses on improving safety on Alberta’s roads through enhanced accountability to increase consistency in how licensed driver training schools, carriers, instructors and examiners meet training, examination and operational standards. The new accountability framework includes oversight measures, as well as a progressive discipline policy for cases where one of these entities is not providing training to an acceptable standard.
“The new learning pathway will not only develop new Class 1 drivers but also strengthen industry-specific training, preparing them for diverse employment opportunities. Equipping drivers with the skills needed for Alberta’s transportation demands, this program will support a more resilient commercial driving workforce.”
“The new Class 1 Learning Pathway establishes a clear path for those new to the industry to receive regulatory and employable skill training that leads them to economically secure commercial driving careers. As a result, this pathway will help put more women behind the wheel, helping ensure Alberta’s economy keeps rolling. Women Building Futures is grateful for the government’s collaborative approach in the pathway design and looks forward to a continued partnership.”
A total of $30 million over three years is allocated for the Employment Pathway Grant which provides funding for eligible employers in the commercial driving industry to cover the costs of training and onboarding for new and future Class 1 drivers, leading to the direct employment of new Class 1 drivers in Alberta’s commercial transportation industry.
The Industry Advancement Grant will provide $24.1 million over three years in funding for eligible projects from organizations in the commercial transportation industry to support industry-driven solutions to increase employment, attraction and retention. These projects will provide solutions while improving employer hiring practices and building partnerships with Indigenous communities. This funding also includes $1.5 million over three years for education grants to support Class 2 and Class 4 school bus driver competencies.
“Alberta’s new Class 1 Learning Pathway and grant program mark a significant step forward for the province’s commercial transportation industry. This is a great opportunity for Alberta to develop a highly skilled workforce, create jobs and enhance road safety while making commercial driving more accessible and affordable.”
“Alberta is an economic engine in this country, and our economy depends on the safe, efficient delivery of goods. Through this enhanced focus on training, oversight and improved road safety, the province is taking an important step forward to ensure the commercial trucking sector will thrive and grow. The additional financial support for new commercial drivers will help incentivize employment and create new opportunities for drivers in this important profession.”
Additionally, Alberta’s government is increasing access to training and testing for Class 1 commercial drivers’ licences and Class 6 motorcycle drivers’ licences through a reciprocal agreement with the Northwest Territories. The agreement allows for reciprocal training and testing for Class 1 (including air brake) and Class 6 drivers’ licences starting April 1, 2025. Northwest Territories residents who take Class 1 driver training and testing in Alberta will also be licensed in the Northwest Territories. Albertans can also take Class 1 driver training and testing in the Northwest Territories and be licensed in Alberta.
Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge faced by Alberta with continued investments in education and health, lower taxes for families and a focus on the economy.
Quick facts
- Application intake for the Employment Pathway Grant will open on April 1. This program will:
- reimburse eligible employers for up to $10,000 for their training costs for new Class 1 drivers
- offer an onboarding incentive of up to $10,000 for hiring new Class 1 drivers with less than two years of experience in a Class 1 driving position
- provide an additional $5,000 for Class 1 driver professional development to ensure Alberta’s commercial drivers are the best on the road
- The Industry Advancement Grant launches April 15, with the 2025 call for expressions of interest closing May 16.
- Eligible industry projects targeting Class 3 commercial driving are included in this grant stream as Class 1 drivers often begin their careers driving Class 3 trucks (vehicles which have three or more axles).
- An education grant of $500,000 is included in this program to support Class 2 and 4 school bus driver competencies.
- There are more than 149,000 licensed Class 1 drivers in Alberta, yet only 31 per cent are employed as truck drivers.
- According to Statistics Canada, there are 4,260 commercial truck driver vacancies in Alberta (Quarter 3, 2023) which accounts for 20 per cent of the vacancies in Canada.
- As of the end of January 2025, we have 19,431 commercial carriers:
- operating federally: 6,782
- operating only in Alberta: 12,649
Related information
Related news
- New learning pathway for Class 1 drivers (March 27, 2024)