OTTAWA – Canadian companies can now compete for a prestigious Safety and Innovation Award offered through the European Transport Training Association’s (EuroTra).

The award recognizes products and services that improve road safety in Europe’s trucking and logistics industry. Judges rate entries for how innovative and environmentally sound they are as well as how they are linked to road safety and continuous training.

The opening of the competition to Canadian companies follows a recent affiliation between EuroTra and the Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council’s (CTHRC).

“I am delighted that we have formed this partnership with CTHRC,” said EuroTra president James Tillyer. “Many of the challenges facing the European road transport industry appear to be mirrored in Canada, and our members are looking forward to gaining an understanding and exchanging knowledge and good practice with representatives from CTHRC.”

CTHRC executive director Angela Splinter said a growing number of Canadian carriers are looking to Europe when trying to address a shortage of skilled workers.

“Linking to organizations like EuroTra gives our entire industry the chance to learn and benefit from Europe’s best practices.”

Last year’s EuroTra Safety and Innovation Award was awarded to a joint partnership between Shell Chemicals Europe BV (the Netherlands) and Bertocco Automotive Engineering (Italy). Both companies developed an innovative early warning device that helps prevent tanker rollovers.

Winners of the honour will earn 1,500 Euros (about $2,150) and have the chance to deliver a short presentation on their product or service during an award ceremony at the EuroTra Winter Assembly to be held Dec. 1 and 2 in London, England. EuroTra will pay the travel and accommodation costs for the winning company’s representative.

EuroTra includes 20 member training organizations in 14 European countries. The Association is dedicated to developing and training human resources, enhancing the transport and logistics sector’s image, helping to develop and implement innovative training methods and tools, and promoting road safety among fleets and drivers.

A copy of the award submission form is available through CTHRC.