These courses will enable the creation of a card to identify said professionals while underscoring their training, which will undoubtedly be superior to what is currently required in the country.

Approval of the Forestry Cargo Heavy Vehicle Transport Technical Operator course taught by the Roadway Education and Safety Institute (ISEV) will be a requirement to transport raw material that will be used by the Punta Pereira pulp mill.

Montes del Plata General Manager Erwin Kaufmann said this agreement would train over 600 wood transport drivers. 400 people are estimated to undergo training in 2014, while for 2014 the numbers range 200 to 300.

"We believe this training will contribute to decreasing accidents, promote an intelligent way of driving and achieve a harmonious coexistence between traffic and the surrounding communities," he added.

These activities are as valuable to us as infrastructure work since they are some of the aspects that will remain in the country and lead to greater knowledge and improved work opportunities. It is our commitment and the path we are taking with total conviction," concluded Kaufmann.

Minister of Transport and Public Works Enrique Pintado noted that almost 50% of Uruguay`s daily cargo belongs to the forestry sector.

"In a country where growth can be seen in investment and therefore in production and employment, we are encountering new challenges, such as the need for increasingly trained human resources," he stated.

In this manner, the Minister noted that continuous training is a key aspect for drivers since they constantly have to make decisions within seconds to avoid any mistakes that could lead to irreparable damage.

"Production will continue to grow, thus we will aim to keep improving transport infrastructure and logistics and we will remain in this path promoting training so that people have better skills," he concluded.

Theoretical and practical training

In theoretical terms, the Forestry Cargo Heavy Vehicle Transport Technical Operator course studies the specifics of forestry cargo transport, emphasizing aspects related to vehicle cargo distribution.  Furthermore, it reviews the content of the Traffic Law and analyzes the driver`s civil and penal responsibilities. Tools will also be provided to assess the technical status of vehicles, first aid training, among others. The theoretical portion is divided into 12 modules and has a duration of 50 hours.

Meanwhile, the practical portion entails performing tests in vehicles as well as exercises in simulators. Drivers with experience will need a lesser amount of practical exercises.

Montes del Plata is implementing a psycho-technical evaluation program that must also be approved by the company`s drivers.

During the signing of the agreement between Montes del Plata and the MTOP, where the Ministry committed to support the implementation of this professional training proposal, diplomas were awarded to the first 18 drivers who passed the course.