Episodes

  • Fueling Health on the Road
    Nov 8 2024

    AMTA's Kelsey Hipkin and Doug Walton chat with Dr. Mark Manera, founder and CEO of Offshift, for the second 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 want to help change the narrative, provide some tangible and driver-friendly takeaways for improved health behind the wheel, and as Dr. Mark says, put the ‘health’ back in ‘health and safety.’

    • If you would like to learn more about Offshift, please visit: https://offshift.ai/.

    • If you are interested in learning more about the study ‘Improving the Health and Working Conditions of LongHaul Truck Drivers in Alberta’, prepared for the Government of Alberta: Occupational Health and Safety Branch, read it here.

    • Visit our Micro-Learn Library on our website and our YouTube page for instructional videos that seek to help promote safety in the workplace: Psychosocial Hazards (PSH), Musculoskeletal Injuries (MSI), and Slips, Trips, and Falls (STF).


    If you have any questions or concerns on this or other topics related to commercial driving and driver safety, please do not hesitate to contact our Member Services team: memberservices@amta.ca.


    Listeners, don’t forget about the AMTA Mailbag! We want to hear from you with your industry queries. DM us with your questions and we will answer via the AMTA Mailbag segment in future episodes or directly via our team of advisors.

    Join the conversation at:

    Web: amta.ca

    X: AMTA_ca

    Instagram: amta_ca/

    Facebook: AlbertaMotorTransportAssociation

    LinkedIn: alberta-motor-transport-association

    Thank you for taking the time to listen, we encourage you to share this episode with those in your network who would receive value from our conversation. Make sure to hit that subscribe button and have a safe day!

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    42 mins
  • Where Technology Meets Safety
    Oct 25 2024

    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.


    If you would like to learn more about my-eforce, please visit: https://www.my-eforce.com/ or contact Justin Barber: jbarber@my-eforce.com.


    For more information on this and other safety technology, please do not hesitate to contact our Member Services team: memberservices@amta.ca.


    Listeners, don’t forget about the AMTA Mailbag! We want to hear from you with your industry queries. DM us with your questions and we will answer via the AMTA Mailbag segment in future episodes or directly via our team of advisors.

    Join the conversation at:

    Web: amta.ca

    X: AMTA_ca

    Instagram: amta_ca/

    Facebook: AlbertaMotorTransportAssociation

    LinkedIn: alberta-motor-transport-association

    Thank you for taking the time to listen, we encourage you to share this episode with those in your network who would receive value from our conversation. Make sure to hit that subscribe button and have a safe day!

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    25 mins
  • Road to Wellness: a Special Four-Part Series
    Oct 11 2024

    Steering Change: Helping you navigate the commercial transportation industry in Alberta, and beyond. Powered by the Alberta Motor Transport Association.

    Join AMTA's Kelsey Hipkin, Doug Walton, and many special guests this fall for a 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.


    Join the conversation at:

    Web: amta.ca

    X: AMTA_ca

    Instagram: amta_ca/

    Facebook: AlbertaMotorTransportAssociation

    LinkedIn: alberta-motor-transport-association

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    1 min
  • Shifting into Gear for Winter
    Oct 11 2024

    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.

    In our conversation, we cover how carriers and their drivers prepare for winter roads and conditions, and what items drivers should include in and on their vehicles for winter readiness.


    If you have any questions and would like to contact Cliff, Doug, Rob, or AMTA to learn more, please email: memberservices@amta.ca. Or you can also reach out to us with questions by emailing media@amta.ca.

    Resources for road conditions across Western Canada

    • Alberta: 511 - 511.alberta.ca
    • British Columbia: Drive BC - www.drivebc.ca
    • Saskatchewan: Highway Hotline - hotline.gov.sk.ca
    • Manitoba: 511 - www.manitoba511.ca

    Rob also mentions the Waze app as another source for traffic conditions in Alberta.

    Watch our videos in partnership with Volker Stevin on sharing the road with snowplows:

    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy7kvThb02M
    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc8f_h-yTWA&t=6s

    Are you interested in learning more about AMTA’s Truck Driving Simulator Training? Visit our website: amta.ca/simulator-training.

    Be prepared. Be patient. And be safe out there! Winter is coming.

    Thank you to all our listeners who engaged on social media with our Best Big Rig Movie Ever Bracket. We greatly enjoyed reviewing these movies and look forward to doing it again. Look out for part 2 coming next summer.

    Listeners, don’t forget about the AMTA Mailbag! We want to hear from you with your industry queries. DM us with your questions and we will answer via the AMTA Mailbag segment in future episodes or directly via our team of advisors.

    Join the conversation at:

    Web: amta.ca

    X: AMTA_ca

    Instagram: amta_ca/

    Facebook: AlbertaMotorTransportAssociation

    LinkedIn: alberta-motor-transport-association

    Thank you for taking the time to listen, we encourage you to share this episode with those in your network who would receive value from our conversation. Make sure to hit that subscribe button and have a safe day!

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    36 mins
  • Navigating the System
    Sep 27 2024

    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 Deborah and her counterparts in advising on disability management in the workplace.
    In our conversation, we discuss the support services that WCB offers to employers and workers for navigating the system, where to start for improving disability management, involving your workers in the process, and Deborah's upcoming presentation at AMTA's GP Safety Summit.


    To contact the WCB:

    • If your main operations are North of Hwy 11 in Red Deer your contact is:
      Deborah Nilsen
      780-498-7647
      Deborah.nilsen@wcb.ab.ca
    • If your main operations are South of Hwy 11 in Red Deer your contact is:
      Leigh-Ann Moroz
      403-517-6124
      Leigh-ann.moroz@wcb.ab.ca
    • If your main operations are outside of the province and you have an Alberta WCB account please contact either one.

    If you would like to contact Dave or AMTA to learn more, please email: memberservices@amta.ca.


    Interested in learning more about WCB?

    • Visit the WCB website for various seminars: https://www.wcb.ab.ca/resources/for-employers/seminars-and-workshops/.
    • View the myWCB portal: https://my.wcb.ab.ca/ess/signin.
    • Check out the WCB Employer App: https://wcb.ab.ca/resources/for-employers/online-services.html.
    • WCB Resource: 99 Things to Do When There’s Nothing To Do.
    • WCB Resource: Modified Duty Task List.

    Also included in this episode:

    • Our next AMTA Regional Meetings, as frequently attended by Deborah or Leigh-Ann, will be in Calgary on October 2, and in Edmonton on October 8.
    • Register for our Grande Prairie Safety Summit on October 10, and hear Deborah speak on Understanding Workplace Psychological Injuries in the Transportation Industry.
    • AMTA Resource: Psychosocial Hazards (PSH) micro-learns.
    • AMTA Resource: Psychosocial Safety: Shifting from Equality to Equity, written by Dave Elniski.
    • AMTA Resource: Education and Training courses.


    Thank you to everyone who has engaged with our Best Big Rig Movie Ever Bracket. Vote now on social media for our semi-finalists.


    Listeners, don’t forget about the AMTA Mailbag! We want to hear from you with your industry queries. DM us with your questions and we will answer via the AMTA Mailbag segment in future episodes or directly via our team of advisors.

    Join the conversation at:

    Web: amta.ca

    X: AMTA_ca

    Instagram: amta_ca/

    Facebook: AlbertaMotorTransportAssociation

    LinkedIn: alberta-motor-transport-association

    Thank you for taking the time to listen, we encourage you to share this episode with those in your network who would receive value from our conversation. Make sure to hit that subscribe button and have a safe day!

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    35 mins
  • Helping Employers Up Their Game
    Sep 13 2024

    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.

    THRC’s research in industry around human resources (HR) issues, the resources developed and available for employers to strengthen and diversify their workforces, and the programs and projects at THRC focused on aiding employers with their best HR practices are all covered.

    Also included in this episode:

    • This episode is released in conjunction with the conclusion of the 2024 Driver Appreciation Days. If you would like to learn more, or get involved next year, check out: https://www.amta.ca/events/amta-driver-appreciation-days-2024
    • Register to attend our inaugural AMTA Industry Innovations EXPO happening on September 26 in Edmonton: https://www.amta.ca/events/amta-industry-innovations-expo-2024
    • Hear from Craig in person at our Grande Prairie Safety Summit on October 10: https://www.amta.ca/events/grande-prairie-safety-summit-2024
    • Register now for Western Women with Drive on October 22 in St. Albert: https://www.amta.ca/events/amtas-2024-western-women-with-drive-conference

    Interested in learning more about THRC?

    • If you have a question, reach out to THRC: theteam@truckinghr.com
    • Read the Labour Market Information Reports: https://truckinghr.com/labour-market-information/
    • Learn more about the Career ExpressWay: https://truckinghr.com/career-expressway-thrc/
    • Review the THRC Truck Driver Training Resources: https://truckinghr.com/truck-driver-training-resources/
    • Learn more about the Top Fleet Employer (TFE) Program: https://truckinghr.com/top-fleet-employers/
      • Top Fleet Employers Awards Gala: https://truckinghr.com/event/top-fleet-employers-gala-2024/
      • HR Circle Check: https://truckinghr.com/hr-circle-check/
    • Learn more about Women in Trucking: https://truckinghr.com/women-in-trucking/
    • Review more resources and reports: https://truckinghr.com/hr-training-resources/


    Thank you to everyone who has engaged with our Best Big Rig Movie Ever Bracket. That is a wrap on round 1. Stay tuned on our socials for round 2 and vote for which movie you think should move on!


    Listeners, don’t forget about the AMTA Mailbag! We want to hear from you with your industry queries. DM us with your questions and we will answer via the AMTA Mailbag segment in future episodes or directly via our team of advisors.

    Join the conversation at:

    Web: amta.ca

    X: AMTA_ca

    Instagram: amta_ca/

    Facebook: AlbertaMotorTransportAssociation

    LinkedIn: alberta-motor-transport-association

    Thank you for taking the time to listen, we encourage you to share this episode with those in your network who would receive value from our conversation. Make sure to hit that subscribe button and have a safe day!

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    28 mins
  • School Buses: Driving the Future
    Aug 30 2024

    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.

    • If you would like to learn more about the ABSCA you can visit their website: https://asbca.ca/, or contact Mark at: markc@sparksman.ca.
    • If you are interested in attending the Town Hall, you can find more information on the Alberta Student Transportation Advisory Council website: https://astac.ca/town-hall-meeting/


    Thank you to everyone who has engaged with our Best Big Rig Movie Ever Bracket. Let us know on social media which of our two films deserves to move on to the next bracket. This is the end of round 1 and we will be moving on to round 2 shortly. Stay tuned on our socials!


    Listeners, don’t forget about the AMTA Mailbag! We want to hear from you with your industry queries. DM us with your questions and we will answer via the AMTA Mailbag segment in future episodes or directly via our team of advisors.

    Join the conversation at:

    Web: amta.ca

    X: AMTA_ca

    Instagram: amta_ca/

    Facebook: AlbertaMotorTransportAssociation

    LinkedIn: alberta-motor-transport-association

    Thank you for taking the time to listen, we encourage you to share this episode with those in your network who would receive value from our conversation. Make sure to hit that subscribe button and have a safe day!

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    31 mins
  • AMTA’s Inaugural Industry Innovation EXPO
    Aug 16 2024

    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 Industry 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.

    • Register for our Industry Innovations EXPO on our website: https://www.amta.ca/events/amta-industry-innovations-expo-2024.

    • Learn more about the various projects from our Industry Advancement team mentioned in this episode, including our exciting AZETEC project on our website: https://www.amta.ca/innovation-projects.

    • Are you interested in learning more or participating in our Hydrogen Commercial Vehicle Demonstrations project? We want to hear from you! Visit our website: https://www.amta.ca/hydrogen-commercial-vehicle-demonstrations, and contact Jamie King at jamie.king@amta.ca to express your interest. We would also love for you to chat with one of our team members at the event in September.

    • Learn more about the Zero Emission Truck Testbed collaboration here: https://www.amta.ca/news/alberta-motor-transport-association-collaborates-on-zero-emission-truck-testbed.


    Thank you to everyone who has engaged with our Best Big Rig Movie Ever Bracket so far. Don't forget to follow along on social media to see which movie wins this round.



    Listeners, don’t forget about the AMTA Mailbag! We want to hear from you with your industry queries. DM us with your questions and we will answer via the AMTA Mailbag segment in future episodes or directly via our team of advisors.

    Join the conversation at:

    Web: amta.ca

    X: AMTA_ca

    Instagram: amta_ca/

    Facebook: AlbertaMotorTransportAssociation

    LinkedIn: alberta-motor-transport-association

    Thank you for taking the time to listen, we encourage you to share this episode with those in your network who would receive value from our conversation. Make sure to hit that subscribe button and have a safe day!

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    27 mins