WINNIPEG- Winter driving is challenging for most Winnipeggers, so imagine being from Jamaica.
“I saw trucks in the ditches every single day and most of those guys are guys who live in Canada,” said Wayne Howell, a long haul truck driver recruited from Jamaica. “For a newcomer like me I would say no man just slow down.”
Even with icy roads and freezing temperatures, Howell is ecstatic to be behind the wheel.
Work is hard to come by in Jamaica.
“My family understands the decision I have to make because if I am there not working I cannot provide for them,” Howell said.
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He sends money home to his mom, wife and two children.
“If I send $1,000 home that is worth $100,000 in Jamaica,” he said. “That’s a lot of money in Jamaica.”
He is also helping here. The trucking industry in Canada is desperately trying to find workers.
“We’re currently short between 16,000 and 18,000 drivers across the country,” said Rob Wensel, with Arnold Brothers Transport.
The Winnipeg based company has partnered with the Jamaican government to help fill the need.
It goes to the country to recruit qualified drivers. The process started in 2012.
“Currently I have four drivers and two mechanics all from Jamaica,” said Wensel. “They arrived here within the last four months.”
The program has been so successful, Wensel plans to travel back to Jamaica in January to recruit 12 more drivers.
“You have the World Cup which is the big league of football, for me driving here in Canada is the big leagues and i am enjoying it,” said Andrew Ryan, another one of the recruits.
All the drivers have plans to bring their families to Canada eventually.
“To bring them here they can grow up in a better society than we have back home,” said Howell.
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