The number of Islanders training to become school bus drivers has doubled this year, and 48 new drivers will be soon be available for hire.
In 2019, the province lost one-third of its substitute drivers. Due to a high number of retirements, many substitute drivers took on full-time driver jobs or other jobs which are becoming more available in a strong economy.
In response, school bus driver training programs were expanded, and the number of drivers being trained this year increased from 24 to 48 new drivers. Training was supported by Skills P.E.I. funding of $198,450 under the Labour Market Development Agreement.
As a result of job fairs and promotional campaigns, many people are now taking part in the six-week training program which is free to participants.
In addition to the JVI school bus driver program and first aid certification, student drivers take on-the-job training which provides them with hands-on-experience on the bus, and classroom sessions to develop working knowledge of common situations. The training programs are co-ordinated by Rural Community Learning Inc. in Alberton.
Anyone interested in becoming a part of the public school bus driver team is asked to contact the Public Schools Branch at or the French-language school board.
