PEI Trucking Sector Council

In order to succeed in today's trucking industry, commercial truck drivers rely on an array of driving, navigating, mechanical and soft skillsets. For the commerical truck drivers of tomorrow, professional driver training is key to ensuring that all new entrants to the industry are properly schooled in these important skillsets so that they are best-positioned to pursue a career in trucking.

Individuals who are seeking to take professional commerical driver training may qualify for funding support from the provincial government if they meet Skills PEI's financial aid criteria. As part of the Skills PEI funding assistance application process, applicants must submit to a PEITSC New Driver Assessment to ensure they meet the minimum standards for employment in the industry. Prior to contacting the PEITSC for a New Driver Assessment, applicants should: 1) Visit an Employment Assistance Service provider and secure a case manager who will determine their eligibility for Skills PEI funding consideration.* & 2) Visit a local or regional accredited commercial driver training school and apply to attend an upcoming class.

*For a complete list of provincially-approved Employment Assistance Service providers, see the following link: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/employment-assistance-services

To determine if a new entrant meets the minimum standards for employment in the industry, new entrants submit all required documentation to the PEITSC's New Driver Assessment process in accordance to what is required for their specific license class--i.e. Class 1A, Class 3A, Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO), Class 1A (HEO) or Class 3A (HEO).

When the PEITSC verifies that a candidate meets the prescribed minimum industry standards for their prospective license class, the PEITSC will supply the candidate's EAS case manager with a formal Letter of Assessment. This letter will in turn be included with the funding assistance application that the candidate's case manager will submit to Skills PEI, who will then consider it for approval.**

**Note: In order to ensure that all required documentation is gathered and reviewed in a timely fashion, we ask clients that they allow themselves, their EAS provider, the PEITSC and Skills PEI to complete the New Driver Assessment process.

The New Driver Assessment Process for Class 1A Drivers

All potential Class 1A Truck Driver students who wish to receive Skills PEI funding assistance for their training must demonstrate that they meet the industry's minimum employability standards for professional commercial truck drivers. To do so, all prospective funding assistance applicants must submit the following documentation to the PEITSC:

PEI Driver's Abstract (of recent origin).
Criminal Record Check (of recent origin).
Essential Skills Online Assessment (ESO).
PEI Driver Medical Examination Certificate (approved by Access PEI's Driver Records).

The New Driver Assessment Process for Class 3A Drivers

All potential Class 3A Truck Driver students who wish to receive Skills PEI funding assistance for their training must demonstrate that they meet the industry's minimum employability standards for professional commercial truck drivers. To do so, all prospective funding assistance applicants must submit the following documentation to the PEITSC:

Essential Skills Online Assessment (ESO) *or verifed proof of completion of High School Grade10.

The New Driver Assessment Process for Heavy Equipment Operators (HEO)

All potential Heavy Equipment Operator students who wish to receive Skills PEI funding assistance for their training must demonstrate that they meet the industry's minimum employability standards for professional commercial truck drivers. To do so, all prospective funding assistance applicants must submit the following documentation to the PEITSC:

PEI Driver's Abstract (of recent origin).
Essential Skills Online Assessment (ESO).

The New Driver Assessment Process for Class 1A Heavy Equipment Operators (HEO)

PEI Driver's Abstract (of recent origin).
Criminal Record Check (of recent origin).
Essential Skills Online Assessment (ESO).
PEI Driver Medical Examination Certificate (approved by Access PEI's Driver Records).

The New Driver Assessment Process for Class 3A Heavy Equipment Operators (HEO)

PEI Driver's Abstract (of recent origin).
Essential Skills Online Assessment (ESO).

What is an ESO Assessment

ESO is an assessment that measures three important skills needed for work in Canada: reading text, document use, and numeracy. These skills are called literacy and essential skills.

Everyone has literacy and essential skills! You use these skills every day at school, in training, at work and in your daily life. Literacy and essential skills are different from the technical or occupation specific skills we use at work. They are the core set of skills used in every occupation.

ESO assesses:

Reading Text: Finding and using written information such as notes, letters, bulletins, reports, emails, regulations, and labels.
Document Use: Finding and using information in forms, tables, drawings, symbols, charts, schematics, icons, lists and signs.
Numeracy: Finding and using numerical information like measuring, calculating, scheduling, budgeting, estimating and analyzing data.

ESO is different from other assessments. When writing ESO, you will assume the role of a worker who must solve problems and complete tasks. You will use a real Canadian workplace document to answer the question. The questions and the documents represent the types of tasks you would encounter on the job. For example, you may be asked to read an email to find the time for a meeting.

ESO assesses how you apply your skills to solve problems or complete tasks. It is not an assessment you can pass or fail. Your results will tell you if you can apply your skills to complete basic, intermediate or advanced workplace tasks.

Overview