Want to be a school bus driver? P.E.I. is hiring 50

P.E.I.'s Public Schools Branch is looking for 50 substitute bus drivers, and it'll be recruiting at three job fairs on Saturday, June 8. The job fairs are located at the Atlantic Superstore in Montague, Royalty Crossing in Charlottetown, and the bus parking lot of Three Oaks Senior High in Summerside. All three run from 9 a.m. until noon. Dave Gillis, the director of transportation and risk management for the Public Schools Branch, said the number of substitute drivers they're hiring isn't unusual. "We are always looking for more. Our drivers tend to have an older demographic," he said.

"The last three years we hired about 50 [substitutes] each year, and we anticipate that to be the case in the next couple years, for sure."

Gillis said most drivers will start out as substitutes while they learn the ropes.

"Almost all of our permanent hires come from our substitute pool," he said. 

"There's a pretty quick transition from the substitute world into the permanent positions as of late."

Gillis said the 50 substitutes should cover the needs of the Island's public schools.

The branch has 261 permanent bus drivers. Wile there's no mandatory retirement age, about two thirds will be eligible to retire within the next five years, so Gillis expects the yearly hiring need to continue.

As for what you need to be a bus driver, he said it's a combination of technical skills and personal qualities.

"Basically, we're looking for someone that can ensure a safe and comfortable ride for students in a welcoming environment," Gillis said. "It's not for everyone, but for those that do it, they like it a lot."