On the road to a new career

MUNDARE, Alta. – Kelly and Laurie Gordon did it 16 years ago, and they say you can do it too.

The couple, who live on an acreage east of Edmonton, made the decision to become full-time truck drivers when they were unhappy with the direction their careers were taking them and decided to steer a different way.

And since that day in 1999, neither has looked back. 

Despite his love of driving and the trucking community, Kelly said he is concerned with how the industry attracts new drivers, and believes that for the right type of person, trucking could be the perfect fit.

“Because of what’s going on in the economy, in Alberta in particular with a lot of people out of work,” he said, “I thought it was important to give insight into the fact that this can be done.”

Kelly studied journalism at the British Columbia Institute of Technology and worked in media relations for Edmonton Police Services and Edmonton airports. Like most parents, Kelly’s wanted him to go to post-secondary school and as he put it, ‘be somebody.’ 

Kelly grew up in Kitimat, B.C., where he drove in a logging truck for the first time and fell in love.

“I’d drive by trucks and look at them and wonder what it’s like to be in there,” he said.

When Kelly met Laurie, the couple had a tradition where every now and then each took a turn purchasing something ‘extravagant’ for themselves, and being his turn, Kelly made the choice in 1999 that they get their Class 1 licences.

Read full article on Truck News.