Trucking Company's Growth Drives Move to a New State-Of-The-Art
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March 2019 Volume 20, Number 7 MANY JOB OPTIONS ON PEI Trucking company’s growth drives move to a new state-of-the-art terminal by Stella Shepard eafood Express (PEI) Ltd., based in “Less experienced drivers are required Charlottetown,S transports goods throughout North to take extended training with a driver America. They currently have 85 power units (truck trainer to ensure they are proficient cabs) and more than 100 trailers. and comfortable with our long-haul operations.” Andy Keith is Vice-President of the company, which was purchased in 1986 by his father, Bill Keith, with a Andy says North America is facing a focus on transporting fish from the Maritime provinces massive driver shortage in the trucking to Boston. “Back then, the fleet consisted of less than industry, which poses a challenge to all 10 power units, and we have been growing ever since,” carriers. says Andy. Training available “Nowadays, we mainly focus on fresh and frozen food products, temperature-controlled beverages, fresh and “We offer on-the-job training,” says frozen seafood, medical supplies, and other products Andy. “We have a full-time driver and materials. recruiter and trainer on-site. We offer a “Currently, we are building a state-of-the-art terminal very extensive paid orientation program in Charlottetown which will open in the spring, 2019. It for new drivers, and we have staff who features a four-bay drive-thru maintenance facility with continually educate and train drivers. an indoor wash bay, a two-story office space, fitness Safety is important to us. Andy Keith, Vice-President of Seafood Express (PEI) Ltd. Submitted photo centre, and a full driver-training facility.” “We are consistently educating our drivers. New drivers get a three-month probationary period, where they are Advancement opportunities assigned to job shadow with certified and experienced driver trainers for as long as they need. “We are always looking to move our staff on an upwards trend. Whether that means becoming more “While we don’t have any co-op opportunities available experienced and knowledgeable in one department, or at the moment, we have used a similar program in the past moving upwards in different departments, we support and hired the employee. If we feel someone is a good fit to advancement in the workplace 100 percent.” join our team, we do what we can to ensure he or she can work with our company.” Testimonials Transferable skills and educational “Since we are accredited as an Employer of Choice Conceptual drawing. Submitted photo background needed in the Transportation industry by the Trucking Human Resources Sector Council (THRSC), we can “We follow US DOT guidelines when it comes to hiring confidently say that our employees have many positive About the staff and hiring needs standards. Usually, we require minimum high school things to say about our company.” diploma (or equivalent), a valid Class 1 driver’s license, Seafood Express employs more than 30 office personnel clean criminal record, and clean driver’s abstract. and maintenance technicians, and more than 90 How do you advertise for staff? professional drivers. “The ability to work as part of a team is a major asset to our company. Seafood Express has a very team-oriented “We advertise online through job boards, our website, “We are continually looking for company drivers for philosophy, because all our departments are required to be and social media. We also work closely with job- our long-haul and container divisions, as well as local in constant communication to keep the company operating readiness programs, government assistance programs, shunt drivers,” says Andy. efficiently and effectively. and recruiting companies.” “Currently, we are also recruiting terminal yard “When hiring, a post-secondary education is always an How to apply workers, driver trainers, and maintenance technicians to asset but not a requirement. We focus more on hiring for start when we move to the new facility. good character, as we can train and provide people with “Give us a call or stop by the office to meet us in “With our growing fleet, we will also be looking for the skills to work in the transportation industry.” person,” says Andy. skilled and experienced logistics coordinators to keep our fleet of trucks moving and our customers satisfied. We hire Is there a need for bilingual staff? Job seekers can contact Jeremy Cleghorn, full-time staff, as we stay extremely busy year-round.” driver recruiter, at 1-902-566-1102 or “Bilingualism is definitely an asset,” says Andy. “Our fleet email [email protected] runs through Quebec on a daily basis. Also, the ability to Difficult jobs to fill speak different languages is a welcome addition. Interested individuals can also call Andrea Bird, HR Manager, at 1-902-566-1102 or “Drivers are the most difficult jobs to fill,” says “We currently have people on staff who speak various email [email protected] Andy. “With our fleet consistently expanding, we are languages and we see great value in multilingualism.” constantly looking to fill new positions, so we are For more information about Seafood Express always recruiting. Being a long-haul carrier, we need Working conditions (PEI) Ltd., visit www.seafoodexpress.pe.ca the most skilled and experienced drivers. Check Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. “To maintain our excellent safety record, we are very “Drivers are sitting and driving for long periods of time,” selective on whom we hire to drive for our company. says Andy. “Our terminal has a lounge for drivers to relax in. It consists of a kitchen, TV lounge, eating area, dorm rooms, available computers and a full fitness centre. We focus on driver comfort, because they are our biggest asset.” www.employmentjourney.com The accounting field offers long-term careers and a good living wage by Stella Shepard achael Mella, Chartered Professional Accountant Wages and benefits Rachael Mella, (CPA),R Chartered Accountant (CA) and Brian Shea, CPA, Chartered CA worked together since 2000 and have been partners “Wages depend on work experience,” says Rachael. “A Professional since 2014. Their company, Mella & Shea Chartered recent accounting technician graduate could earn $13 Accountant, CPA, CA, Professional Accountants, has offices in Charlottetown to $15 an hour. A person with experience earns a higher co-owner of Mella and Montague. standard wage. & Shea Chartered Professional “There will always be a need for accountants and “It can be a struggle for accounting firms to retain staff Accountants. accounting technicians within the business world. It’s a because some leave public practice for industries or career that offers a good living wage for PEI,” says Rachael. government that can offer higher wages. Rachael has been in public practice since 1997, and earned “Most accounting firms pay a salary but we pay by the her CA designation in 2007. Rachael’s area of practice hour. This provides our staff with flexibility. Also, we Hiring needs includes accounting, auditing, taxation, personal financial provide over-time during tax season.We retain staff by planning, estate planning, business plans, management offering flexible working hours and health benefits.” “We don’t have strong hiring needs at the moment, but will consulting, and advisory services. She is the lead partner as we grow,” says Rachael. “We accept resumés and hire as of the audit engagements including municipalities, co- Education/training needed, especially during the busier tax season months. operatives, not-for-profits, and profit-oriented entities. “We look for people with practical experience and a “When hiring, we stress practical experience more Brian is the founding partner and has been in public willingness to learn and to work with our Island-wide than education,” says Rachael. “For example, if an clients to help them succeed. practice since 1975, and earned his CA designation in 1977. applicant does not have a university degree but has His area of practice includes accounting, auditing, taxation, done bookkeeping for the last 10 or 15 years and people “The most difficult positions to fill are for senior personal financial planning, estate planning, business plans, are satisfied with their work, that means a lot to us. A accountants with five-plus years of experience working in management consulting, and advisory services. university degree will give you the theory but it won’t give an accounting firm. you the practical experience.” About the staff “The best way to get your foot in the door is through on- Rachael also says they are finding that with the increasing the-job-training,” says Rachael. “We will consider hiring There are currently six full-time staff and one part-time diversity of the Island, bilingualism in any second language student accounting technicians after they complete an on- staff who work year-round. “There is very little turnover is an asset. the-job-training program. with staff within our company,” says Rachael. “In-house training is continuous,” says Rachael. “To stand out during the hiring process, people should “We have on-the-job training students from the Holland “Willingness to learn is very important to us. highlight their work experiences,” says Rachael. “If they College Accounting Technology program during the busier are fresh out of college or university and don’t have ”There are advancement opportunities for experienced experience, we look at their class marks. tax season, which runs from January to the end of June.” accounting technicians to become senior technicians.” “We plan to continue growing the business Island-wide, Staff titles: which will result in new hires.” • Senior Associate • Senior Accountant For more information about Mella & Shea Chartered Professional Accountants, visit www.mellashea.ca • Accounting Technician • Administrative Assistant Summerside car dealership has growth potential by Stacy Dunn ummerside Toyota retails approximately 400 new Hiring needs Svehicles and 200 used vehicles each year.