Alberta Replaces MELT With a Class 1 Learning Pathway
Alberta announced in March 2025 that new Class 1 drivers would train for 133 hours under a new pathway from April 1, backed by proposed grants.
In March 2025, Alberta announced that every new Class 1 driver would have to train through a new Class 1 Learning Pathway, which replaced the province's Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) program from April 1, 2025. The government's release described the pathway as a made-in-Alberta, apprenticeship-style approach, and Truck News reported the announcement on March 31. The province's program page confirms that the pathway replaced MELT as of April 1, 2025.
More hours of training
The full pathway includes up to 133 hours of instruction, including air brake training. MELT had been a 113-hour program. The province said enhanced in-cab training would give learners more hands-on, competency-based experience.
The curriculum includes content specific to Alberta's terrain, weather, cargo and equipment. It also adds material on personal health and well-being, workplace safety and incident response.
Accountability for schools and carriers
Alberta said the pathway would also bring more consistency to how licensed driver training schools, carriers, instructors and examiners meet training, examination and operational standards. A new accountability framework included oversight measures and a progressive discipline policy for cases where one of these parties does not train to an acceptable standard.
Proposed grants
The release said Budget 2025, if passed, would invest $54.1 million over three years in a Class 1 Learning Pathway grant program:
- Employment Pathway Grant ($30 million over three years). Intake was set to open April 1. Eligible employers could be reimbursed up to $10,000 for training costs for new Class 1 drivers, receive an onboarding incentive of up to $10,000 for hiring new Class 1 drivers with less than two years of experience, and get an extra $5,000 for driver professional development.
- Industry Advancement Grant ($24.1 million over three years). This stream was for industry projects to improve employment, attraction and retention. It was set to launch April 15, with the 2025 call for expressions of interest closing May 16. Projects targeting Class 3 driving were eligible, and the stream included money for Class 2 and Class 4 school bus driver education.
Northwest Territories agreement
A reciprocal agreement with the Northwest Territories allowed Class 1 training and testing, including air brakes, in either jurisdiction from April 1, 2025. Residents trained and tested in one jurisdiction could be licensed in the other.
The numbers behind it
Alberta said more than 149,000 people held a Class 1 licence in the province, but only 31% were employed as truck drivers. Transportation and Economic Corridors Minister Devin Dreeshen told Truck News that Alberta was also in talks with other provinces about Red Seal certification for truck drivers.
Archive: this article describes rules and events as of March 2025. Regulations may have changed since, so check the current rule before relying on it.