A major investment aimed at easing the region’s driver shortage is coming to Northeastern Alberta, with Portage College receiving 0,000 to train new commercial truck drivers close to home.

The funding comes through an Industry Advancement Grant from the Alberta Ministry of Transportation and Economic Corridors and will support a two-year training program running from January 2026 to January 2028.

Training Drivers Where They’re Needed Most

Over the two-year period, Portage College plans to train 64 Class 3 commercial drivers in communities including St. Paul, Cold Lake, Bonnyville, and Lac La Biche.

Portage College president and CEO Stephen Price said the funding directly responds to long-standing concerns raised by local employers.

“We need more drivers … and this funding is going to help people go through training to become certified drivers,” Price told Lakeland This Week during a Dec. 6 visit to the St. Paul campus.

Price was in St. Paul attending the campus’ Christmas events and touring training facilities.

Industry Shortages Felt on the Ground

During the visit, Price also viewed a scaled-down air brake system model built specifically for the college by St. Paul-based mechanic Bert Gervais. The model will be used to help students understand critical systems before they get behind the wheel.

“It shows what they need to know when they’re behind the big wheel of a truck,” Gervais said.

As someone working in the industry daily, Gervais said the driver shortage is very real in the Lakeland region. He added the problem extends beyond drivers.

“We need technicians to repair them [trucks] too,” he said. “We’re in dire straits on technicians big time.”

Creating Inclusive Career Pathways

In a Dec. 5 press release, Joanne Metchooyeah, associate dean of Economic Development & Sustainability at Portage College, said the program is designed to address more than just labour shortages.

The initiative aims to open doors for people who have traditionally faced barriers to employment.

“By partnering with community organizations and launching a campaign to change perceptions of the transportation industry, we’re not just training drivers, we’re building inclusive pathways to meaningful careers and strengthening the economic future of northeastern Alberta,” Metchooyeah said.

Flexible Learning for Rural Students

Training will be delivered using a hyflex learning model, combining in-person instruction with live online classes. According to Portage College, this approach is designed to ensure maximum accessibility for rural learners who may not be able to attend full-time, on-campus programs.

The program is expected to play a key role in supporting local employers while creating new career opportunities across the region.