The Manitoba Driver, from Manitoba Public Insurance
January 2008

About 450 words
You can help steer young people in the right direction

If you’re looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a difference in a young person’s life, then Manitoba Public Insurance might have just the job for you.

The public auto insurer, which provides driver education to 14,000 youth each year, is recruiting driving instructors in several small towns and cities throughout Manitoba.

“Normally we’d have about 140 instructors teaching in communities outside Winnipeg,” says Lou Gervino, Manager of Driver Education. “But we are short-handed in close to 20 different areas right now, particularly when it comes to francophone and Aboriginal instructors.”

Part-time positions are available in several communities including: Brandon, Churchill, Gretna/Altona, Lac du Bonnet/Pinawa, Miami/Manitou, Swan River and Vita. For the most up to date list of openings, check the website at www.mpi.mb.ca and click on "Careers with us".

Gervino notes that Manitoba Public Insurance will sponsor successful candidates through the $900 instructor preparation course. Applicants must have a clean driving record, willingness to acquire certification and excellent interpersonal and training skills.

Once an instructor is certified, the hourly rate of pay is $25.50 for classroom instruction, and between $15.50 and $18.50 for in-car instruction, depending on the area of the province.

But there are many more satisfactions to the job besides the money. George Cochrane, an instructor in Portage la Prairie for the past nine years, says it’s an ideal position for those who enjoy being around young people.

“I really like dealing with the kids and I get a lot of enjoyment out of being with them in the car,” Cochrane says. “I was a teacher before, so this is kind of a continuation. It’s a great program.” He adds that being able to provide a worthwhile service is another rewarding aspect of the job.

Andrea Foote, who for 19 years has taught in Elm Creek, Notre Dame de Lourdes, St. Claude, Carman, and Elie, says flexibility is another plus. “You can pretty much set your own hours and take on as much as you want,” she says.

“I also enjoy interacting with teenagers. It’s a very rewarding job. You get to see how they start out and how they finish.” Foote says she still bumps into former students, many now with children of their own, who still remember her and ask her if she’s still teaching driver ed. 

Gervino started teaching driver ed in the mid-1980s on top of a full time job. “I found it really energized me and made me feel younger just by being around young people all the time.”

Interested applicants can apply in writing to:

Manitoba Public Insurance
Road Safety Department
High School Driver Education Program
Box 6300, 802-234 Donald Street
Winnipeg, MB, R3C 4A4

For more information, contact Janine Pursaga at (Jpursaga@mpi.mb.ca) or 1-800-261-9928.

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© 2008 Manitoba Public Insurance

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