www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday February 22, 2008 - 9 Job is not for everyone ANNOUNCEMENT Nick of Michael's Hair Design is proud to announce that his son Matthew has successfully completed his training of Hair Stylist and now a Matthew member of his professional team. Take advantage of his special prices & hours. For an appointment with Matthew please call Continued from page 4 call in sick," added Parfeniuk. First Student Canada south Halton branch manager Karen O'Marra said it's a constant struggle to attract and retain bus drivers, but that the situation has been especially difficult lately. "We are the largest (Halton) provider so proportionately we have been more affected. We could use 20 more drivers right now." O'Marra said she understands people's frustration, but feels sorry for the bus drivers who are getting an earful from upset parents and school staff when they show up late to pick up or drop off students. "Yes, we get the phone calls (too)," O'Marra said. "This is not the service they're used to. It's frustrating for everyone involved. We don't want the children out in the cold (waiting). They're safe and secure, but not always on time." The last couple of weeks have been rough for First Student Canada, but she noted Tuesday and Wednesday this week were normal in terms of student delivery. Trying to convince people to become a school bus driver remains the ongoing goal. "It's not for everyone but it's a good job and they care about what they're doing." First Student Canada has 150 part-time drivers that cover 119 bus routes in Oakville and Burlington, mostly for the four Halton school boards, but the company also has busing contracts with some private schools here and in Hamilton as well as separate charter routes. O'Marra said their average driver has six years of experience and that there is a wide range overall. "I've got 50 drivers with less than two years service, but I've also got some with 34 and 20-plus years." When people leave the job it's not usually because they don't like driving students around, O'Marra said, but rather they've found work that better suits their hours. The job's responsibilities have intensified, she said, noting it became mandatory about a year ago for bus drivers to have first aid and CPR training, which they get for free. The driver training is free as well. "You need a B Class licence so there's a lot to learn. They go through extensive video in-class training and put in 20 hours behind the wheel before they are tested." An applicant can be on the road as a licensed school bus driver within two to three weeks. The pay, said O'Marra, is around $48 per day for the morn- ing and afternoon shifts, totaling about four hours. Depending on municipal parking bylaws, many drivers have to pick up their bus at the company depot, drop it off at the depot after their morning run and repeat it all for the afternoon shift. The inconvenience may be a factor in attracting drivers, she said. Burlington has a relatively new bylaw that allows buses to parked on city streets for a maximum of three hours and only until midafternoon. In Oakville, buses cannot be parked on the town's streets. · · · The four school bus companies in Halton are encouraging all interested applicants to contact them about job requirements: · First Student Canada (formerly Laidlaw), Burlington/Oakville branch (Dundas street, Burlington), 905335-7010. · First Student Canada (formerly Laidlaw), Milton/Halton Hills branch (Mountainview Road, Georgetown), 905-877-2251. · Attridge Transportation, (Harvester Road, Burlington) 905333-4047. · Stock Transportation, 905829-2040. · Tyler Transportation, 519853-1550. (905) 845-4466 Located at Maplegrove Village 511 Maple Grove Drive Oakville Minor Baseball Association Providing Quality Baseball in Our Community for over 44 Years House League. Select and Rep Programs for all Boys & Girls Born 1985-2003 2008 Player Registration Register online by visiting our website at www.oakvilleminorbaseball.com or visit us on March 1, 2008 from 10 AM to 3 PM at Iroquois Ridge Community Centre 1051 Glenashton Drive You may also download our Registration Form and mail with payment to 1236 Speers Road, Unit #4, Oakville, Ontario L6L 2X4 For more information please call 847-5545, email us at omba@oakvilleminorbaseball.com or visit our website at @ www.oakvilleminorbaseball.com The Oakville Minor Baseball Association is affiliated with akville STA FESTIVAL · PASTA FES L · PA VA TIV ESTI AL TA F PAS PASTA FESTIVAL February 20th-March 20th or or or or or or or or or M $ STIVA · PA STA FESTIVAL · PA ST STA F · PASTA L · PA ES ES TIV STI A STIVA VA AL A FE TA F L PAS PAS Michaels Back Door R E STAU R A N T APPETIZERS ENTREES HOT TUB CLEAROUT! GREAT PRICING ON REMAINING 07 MODELS! or n, or DESERT 20 $25 Don't Payll i A Cent `TAC 2009! 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