Episode 23: Where Technology Meets Safety
In this episode, hosts Kelsey Hipkin and Doug Walton chat with Justin Barber, co-founder of my-eforce, for the first episode of our special edition four-part series: Road to Wellness. These episodes are dedicated to the health and well-being of the commercial drivers who keep goods on the move 24/7.
In our conversation, we discuss how technology can contribute to driver safety while out on the road and within the cab.
Episode 22: Shifting into Gear for Winter
In this episode, host Kelsey Hipkin chats with AMTA’s Cliff Litke (Senior Advisor, Member Services), Rob Destree (Senior Instructor, Driver Development), and Doug Walton (Senior Advisor, Member Solutions) to discuss winter preparedness as we will inevitably move from this stunning fall into the clutches of our Alberta winters, and with that comes challenging winter driving.
Episode 21: Navigating the System
In this episode, hosts Kelsey Hipkin and Dave Elniski (AMTA’s Industry Advisor, Safety and Compliance), chat with Deborah Nilsen, Industry Specialist, Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) - Alberta. AMTA is very fortunate to work with Deb and her counterparts in advising on disability management in the workplace.
Episode 20: Helping Employers Up Their Game
In this episode, hosts Robyn Betts and Michelle Spacil chat with Craig Faucette, Chief Program Officer at Trucking HR Canada (THRC).
AMTA has long worked closely with Craig and the THRC team, and in this conversation, we discuss our combined efforts to address the driver shortage, our collaboration on Western Women with Drive, and more.
Episode 19: School Buses: Driving the Future
In this episode, hosts Kelsey Hipkin and Kristin Picken (AMTA’s Advisor, Member Solutions (South)), chat with Katie Marchant, Area Safety Manager with First Student Transportation and Director with ASBCA, and Mark Critch, President of the Alberta School Bus Contractor’s Association (ASBCA).
With the approach of fall comes the school year and a familiar sight on our roads: school buses. Our conversation discusses school bus safety and seatbelts, recruitment and retention, perceptions of school bus drivers as professional drivers, and more.
Episode 18: AMTA’s Inaugural Industry Innovation EXPO
In this episode, Kelsey Hipkin (Manager of Communications), chats with AMTA’s Terri Johnson (Manager of Industry Advancement) and Erin Horb (Technology Advisor & Hydrogen Specialist), to introduce AMTA’s inaugural ndustry Innovations EXPO coming up in Edmonton on September 26.
This event will invite attendees to explore the forefront of low and zero-emission, electric, and alternative-fuel commercial vehicles, alongside cutting-edge emerging technologies and the industry professionals leading the charge. As well, Terri and Erin speak to a few of the many exciting projects our Industry Advancement team is working on.
Episode 17: Telling Industry’s Stories
In this episode, hosts Kelsey Hipkin and Dave Elniski (AMTA’s Industry Advisor, Safety and Compliance), chat with Leo Barros, Associate Editor, Today’s Trucking, to discuss Leo’s history as a journalist, writer, and a former long-haul truck driver, as well as his love of storytelling and reporting on the stories that matter most to the commercial transportation industry in Canada.
Episode 16: Across the Western Associations
In this episode, hosts Kelsey Hipkin and Michelle Spacil, chat with the leaders from our fellow Western Associations, Aaron Dolyniuk, Executive Director of the Manitoba Trucking Association (MTA), Susan Ewart, Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Trucking Association (STA), and Dave Earle, President and CEO of the British Columbia Trucking Association (BCTA), to discuss industry initiatives, our mutual interests for our members, and commercial transportation in Canada.
Episode 15: Making Industry Waves
In this episode, hosts AMTA’s Kelsey Hipkin and Robyn Betts, sit down with Shelley Walker, CEO of the Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada, to discuss how we’re making progress in the commercial transportation industry for recruiting and retaining women professional drivers, as well as Shelley’s background as a professional driver, and other issues affecting women in industry.
Episode 14: Impacting Change Through Advocacy
In this episode, Josh sits down with Andrew Barnes, Sr. Advisor Compliance and Regulatory Affairs, AMTA, as they dive into the various advocacy work AMTA provides, and we learn about some of the ongoing advocacy efforts and recent victories the transportation industry has had through advocacy.
Episode 13: Professional Truck Driving Championship 2024
In this episode, Josh, along with Rob Destree, AMTA Senior Instructor, Driver Development, sit down to recap AMTA's 2024 Professional Truck Driving Championship, and hear interviews recorded LIVE on location from several of the contestants and professional drivers as well as a few of our amazing volunteers.
Episode 12: ‘Knowledge is Power’
In this episode, Josh, along with Cliff Litke, Sr. Advisor of Workplace Support Services at AMTA, sit down with Sergeant Brian Davyduke, CVSA Program Coordinator, and Inspector Dan McCormack with the Sheriff Highway Patrol. During our conversation, we dive into the impacts the Highway Patrol has on road safety in Alberta and discuss some of the collaboration efforts between them and other organizations, such as AMTA, CVSA, and more.
Episode 11: Training: A Critical Component to Safety
In this episode, Josh, along with Rob Destree, AMTA Senior Instructor, Driver Development at AMTA, sit down with Erica Cormack, AMTA Manager of Education, as we explore what goes into positively impacting a trainees training experience, the importance of effective training, and what our industry can expect from AMTA’s education department in 2024 and beyond.
Episode 10: Operating Safely for the Long Haul
In this episode, Josh hosted our first LIVE episode on stage at our 86th Annual Conference. He was joined by special guest, Graham Nkala of Flying J Transport Canada, AMTA’s 2023 Driver of the Year, as they discussed Graham’s journey as a professional driver, and celebrated his recent honour being named AMTA’s Driver of the Year 2023 award.
Episode 9: Navigating Through the Challenges, and Successes, of Commercial Transportation
In this episode, Josh, and Michelle Spacil, Director of Member Services with AMTA, sit down with Doug Paisley, President, with Lethbridge Truck Terminals as we dive into some of the successes, and challenges, Lethbridge Truck Terminals have experienced over the years, and discuss Doug’s journey with the Alberta Motor Transport Association, as a member of our executive board, and current Chair.
Episode 8: Innovative Technology: For Carriers of all Shapes and Sizes
In this episode, Josh, and Robyn Betts, Marketing & Communication Specialist with AMTA, sit down with Rebecca Goldsack, Chief Operating Officer, Diesel Tech Industries, to dive into Rebecca’s journey in the transportation industry and learn how DTI is driving innovative technologies in Alberta, and beyond.
Episode 7: Recruiting & Retention – What Organizations Can Do to Keep Safety a Top Priority with New Employees
In this episode, Josh, along with co-host Rob Dombowsky, Advisor of Safety, HR & Labour at AMTA, sit down with BJ Zoobkoff, Talent Acquisition Manager with XTL Transport, as we discuss recruiting and retention, and what employers and their staff can do, to keep safety a top priority, each and every day.
Do you have a question about HR requirements, best practices for hiring and retaining employees? Email us at wss@amta.ca
Episode 6: Critical Components to Include when Building a Thriving Safety Culture
In this episode, Josh, along with co-host Dave Elniski, Advisor of Safety and Compliance at AMTA, sit down with Maryna Rolland, Senior HSE Coordinator, with Arrow Transportation Systems, as we discuss what are the critical steps to build a culture of safety in your organization.
Want to learn more? Email wss@amta.ca
Episode 5: Everyday Heroes: Chatting with Truckers Against Trafficking
In this episode, Josh, along with Kelsey Hipkin, AMTA Communications Manager, sit down with Dylan Wecht, Public Sector Engagement Specialist and Liz Williamson, Training Specialist and Survivor Leader, both with Truckers Against Trafficking to bring awareness to human trafficking, what Truckers Against Trafficking are doing to help combat human trafficking, and what our industry can do to help.
Want to learn more? Email marcom@amta.ca
Episode 4: A People-First Approach to Driver Training & Mentorship
In this episode, Josh, along with Kelsey Hipkin, and Manager of Communication at AMTA, sit down with Don MacDonald, Operations Manager at CCA Truck Driver Training, as they discuss driver training, and specific guidance that Don shares with trainees that influences their way of thinking as they train to become professional drivers.
Want to learn more? Email Events@amta.ca