Seminars and Events

MASBO Transportation Conference and Trade Show

Hosted by the Manitoba Association of School Business Officials, this conference held annually in mid-February, provides an opportunity for liaison between school division maintenance personnel, those involved in pupil transportation, and suppliers.

The 2008 Conference was held February 13-15 at the Westward Village Inn, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.

Information on future conferences can be obtained by contacting:

School Bus Maintenance Seminar

Hosted by the Pupil Transportation Unit, this annual two-day event is often referred to as “spring training”.  The event provides an opportunity for school bus mechanics to meet and discuss new school bus technology, current school bus component failures, and repair procedures. School bus chassis and body suppliers as well as school bus component companies are invited to conduct training and information sessions relative to their products.

Open forums following the presentations provide mechanics with an opportunity to discuss directly with company representatives any problems they are experiencing

The Seminar is held in two locations:  Kildonan East Collegiate in Winnipeg, and Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School in Brandon.
 
Contact PTU for information on future seminars.

School Bus Driver Instructor Seminar

Conducted by the Pupil Transportation Unit, the School Bus Driver Instructor Seminar is a "train the trainer" session which provides individuals with techniques for teaching potential school bus drivers the basic principles of operating a school bus (i.e. driver role and responsibility; pupil relations; preventive maintenance; driving fundamentals; defensive driving; and, accident prevention and emergencies). Upon successful completion of the three-phase (nine days in total) seminar, participants are equipped with the skills necessary to train and evaluate new school bus drivers, and conduct inservice sessions for currently certified school bus drivers.

To participate in a Seminar, an individual must have a:

• Class 2 driver's license
• School Bus Operator's Certificate
• Driver's abstract showing three years of clear driving (i.e. no traffic violations or accidents with 50% or more responsibility)
• Minimum of one year school bus driving experience

Participants will learn the following skills:

Phase I

• Speak in front of a group
• Organize teaching material
• Set lesson objectives
• Establish lesson outcomes
• Prepare and deliver a lesson plan
• Use audio-visual aids

Phase II

• Develop a training program
• Determine training program requirements
• Use lesson plans in a training program
• Use effective teaching techniques
• Develop mini-lessons to teach various topics
• Organize a training program
• Use class participation as a teaching tool
• Evaluate a training program

Phase III

• Organize a school bus roadeo
• Set up a roadeo course
• Score each maneuver
• Evaluate driving skills
• Experience a written driver's test
• Experience a school bus road test
• Conduct an in-vehicle driver examination
• Communicate directions to a driving student
• Explain driving errors to students
• Evaluate effectiveness of training

Contact PTU for additional information or dates of upcoming seminars.

Canadian Pupil Transportation Conference

This national conference is held bi-annually and provides an opportunity for those in the pupil transportation industry to discuss current issues and future direction.

The 2010 Conference will be held in Ottawa, Ontario, May 16-19.  More information on the conference can be found at http://www.cptc2010.ca.