The Peace River School Division has received a major boost for student training and local industry. The division announced it has been awarded nearly $1 million through an Industry Advancement Grant from Alberta’s Ministry of Transportation and Economic Corridors.
The $958,000 in funding will support the North Peace Commercial Driving Academy and its new “Youth Commercial Driver Pathway.” The program is designed to tackle ongoing driver shortages in northern and rural Alberta by helping students train for Class 1 and Class 3 commercial licenses.
The pathway combines classroom learning with hands-on experience. Students will take specialized high school courses, train on advanced driving simulators, practice in a maneuvering yard, and gain real-world, on-road instruction.
Superintendent Dr. Jeff Thompson says the investment is a game-changer, helping bridge the gap between theory and practical skills so students graduate job-ready.
Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen says the program will strengthen Alberta’s workforce by giving young people the tools they need to build long-term careers in the trucking industry.
The Peace River School Division says the initiative reflects its ongoing commitment to expanding career-focused education and supporting economic growth across northern Alberta.
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