New driving simulator makes community-based training more accessible
Yukon University's Centre for Northern Innovation in Mining (CNIM) received a brand-new commercial driving simulator thanks to an investment of approximately $700,000 from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor). The simulator was commissioned in April 2025. CNIM now has two training simulators available for training throughout the territory.
Founded in close co-operation with the territory’s government and business leaders, CNIM has developed innovative and flexible employment and career training to best suit Yukon's labour needs, including its Commercial Driving program. A recent report from the Conference Board of Canada forecasts trades, transport and equipment operators to be in high demand through 2045. Those occupations make up 25 per cent of Yukon jobs.
The simulator mimics real-life scenarios that students can encounter while driving a commercial vehicle, including a change in weather patterns, wildlife activity, pedestrian unpredictability and more. Programming includes training for school buses, snowplows, waste and recycling, fire trucks and emergency vehicles, as well as defensive driving. Students can practise shifting gears and double clutching in a controlled environment while minimizing wear and tear on YukonU’s fleet of Class 3/1 vehicles.
In February and March 2025, CNIM coordinators Tomo Uemura, Chantelle Barnes, and Department Head Ginny Coyne mobilized equipment to Pelly Crossing for commercial driver training. They were joined by instructors Trevor Sinclair and Stephen Balan to deliver courses that included air brakes endorsement, simulator sessions, and theory instruction. Cobalt Construction Ltd. supported the initiative by providing in-cab training, alongside YukonU driving instructors.
A cohort of eight students, made up of Selkirk First Nation citizens and Pelly Crossing residents, participated in the training. Out of eight students, seven completed and passed their Class 4 and 3 written exams, with the remaining student passing their Class 4 written exam; six students continued with simulator and in-cab training. All six students passed their road exams, earning unrestricted Class 3 licenses along with air brake endorsements, and all graduates maintained a 100 percent attendance rate — a significant achievement for a small community.
“Taking the commercial driving course was a game-changer for me,” says commercial driving graduate, Drew Montgomery of Whitehorse. “I felt confident and prepared for the road test. The knowledge I obtained is useful, especially for remote trucking in the Yukon, and I passed with flying colors. Now, I'm proud to be driving and returning home safely to my loved ones and enjoying a fulfilling career. I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to start or advance their driving career.”
The commercial driver training project in Pelly was made possible through partnerships with Cobalt Construction, the Yukon Government’s Department of Economic Development, and Selkirk First Nation.
