The trucking industry is full of job opportunities and great companies to work for. Our truck students have access to exclusive job postings and career presentations that provide a chance to rub elbows with some of these companies, but we wanted to go more in depth. This week continues our feature on some of the companies that we work with and that we recommend for employment!
In today’s blog post, we’re interviewing Amber Ferguson, who is part of the Human Resources department at Valley Carriers, about the company and what it’s like for drivers to work there.
Who is Valley Carriers
Amber starts off by telling us about Valley Carriers, which was originally named Valley Pulp & Sawdust Carriers, and how the company got started back in 1963 by Rita and Neil Klassen. They started the family business with a single truck, hauling firewood and sawdust. Alongside their parents, Neil and Rita’s kids – Lando, Mervin, Dennis, Reg, and Genny – worked hard to expand the business and, through the 80’s and 90’s, they grew to 12 trucks and 30 employees. The company continues to be a family-run and operated business, with the third generation becoming involved in the 2000’s and in 2015, moved hands to this new generation with a new name: Valley Carriers.
For the last two years, Valley Carriers has been one of the fastest growing companies in both BC and Canada, and recently purchased Friesen Bros. Fuels, expanding even more! Even with all the recent expansion, Valley Carriers still provides bedding material for equestrians and poultry farming throughout the Lower Mainland and into the Interior, but now also transports residual materials from shake and shingle mills to pulp mills. They also haul logs from the bush to sawmills.
In addition to the transportation part of business, Valley Carriers also has a subsidiary company called Klassen Wood Co. where they package wood shavings and ship them domestically through Canada, down south to the USA and Mexico, and overseas to England, Korea, and China! Klassen Wood Co. also supplies bark mulch, soil, and other landscape supplies through BC and Washington, including their own landscape supply centers, Klassen Landscape Supply, located in Abbotsford and Merritt.
Valley Carriers has a range of trucks in their fleet, but with drivers assigned different trucks for every run, Amber tells us that all employees are required to drive both Automatic and Manual transmission and must be comfortable driving just about anything, as they have trucks with 13, 15, and 18 speed transmissions. Most of their fleet are Western Star trucks, but there are a few Peterbilts and Kenworths for variety. Valley has 4-8 axle truck and/or trailer combinations from tri-drive straight/box trucks, tandem- and tridem- trucks, tridem-trailers and Super B-trains. They even have a 9-axle logging truck! When it’s all said and done, they’re currently running with a fleet of 46 trucks of all shapes and sizes.
Work for Valley Carriers
We ask Amber about the employees that they have on-board and she mentions, above having the right technical qualifications, they seek out those that have positive, can-do attitudes and outstanding communication and customer service skills, Valley Carrier’s drivers interact with customers on a daily basis and represent the company when they’re out in the field, and these interactions and representations are the lifeblood of the company. In addition to the attitude that employees need to have, drivers need to have flexibility for their schedule and be ready to take on some physical labour alongside driving. Drivers can expect to be physically active every shift, about 40% of the time, doing things like climbing ladders, pulling tarps, shoveling, and running loaders. “It’s a very fast-paced environment,” Amber tells us.
Amber goes on to explain that they are currently hiring for Class 1 drivers, based out of their Delta and Merritt locations, and both are Monday to Friday afternoon shifts. She reiterates that there is definitely a physical aspect to the positions and drivers are expect to put in their full effort no matter the weather elements and what their task for the day is, but also mentions that there is a paperwork aspect as well, with drivers completing bill of ladings, using electronic log devices. Flexibility, as Amber mentioned before, is another key part of the job as every day is different; “We’re not your typical pin-to-pin,” and drivers are expected to be prepared for shift and route changes, although they will almost always know what the day ahead looks like by the night before; “Weather changes and mill production schedules can have a big impact on what a driver’s schedule will look like, and there isn’t much we can do to control these!”
Perks with Valley Carriers
The wages at Valley Carriers will vary, depending on whether you’re driving Class 1 or Class 3 vehicles, where you are driving, and what shifts you have signed up for. The afternoon shifts, which usually start at 3pm, will offer a premium rate and Super B-train drivers will earn a premium rate as well. Valley conducts annual performance reviews and they take a look at a possible wage increase at this time – factored on the performance, safety, and attitude from the employee over the last year. In addition to their regular pay, drivers can also earn a quarterly safe driving reward.
Upon being hired, every employee – those on the road and otherwise – has access to Valley Carrier’s Employee and Family Assistance Program, which offers confidential and free assistance with well-being, addictions, child and elder care resources, legal advice, financial guidance, and nutritional and physical health programs. After three months of employment, Valley offers some additional benefits, showing their commitment to keeping their employees happy and healthy! At this time, employees that have stuck around with full-time hours will be eligible for a 100% health and dental coverage plan, as well as a Costco membership that is renewed annually with every year of employment, and an RRSP contribution program.
The longer you stick around with Valley Carriers, the more benefits you can receive! Anniversary gifts are presented to long-term employees, including company-branded jackets, engraved watches, and travel vouchers that range in denomination!
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As we wrap up our conversation, Amber sums up Valley Carriers by telling me how the Klassen’s fourth generation is ever more committed to becoming a part of the company and continuing the growth and evolution. She talks about how their strength is found within their faith, hope, and love that is shared through, not only their family bonds, but with their customers and growing team. If you’re interested in driving for Valley, you can check out their current job opportunities online!