Anup Dsilva ChatterHigh Profile

Background

I was born in a village in Kerala, India, and chose to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration from Mahatma Gandhi University Kerala after high school. I tried a few sales roles in India, but didn’t find the right fit.

I later moved to Canada and pursued a Diploma in Project Management and Strategic Leadership in 2017 and then a Diploma in Supply Chain Management, 2018 to 2020, at Lambton College in Ontario.
I have always been interested in automobiles and maintenance, and I enjoy reading magazines about cars. My uncle was a milk truck owner and operator, and I often helped him with his job during my vacations. This really sparked my interest!

With this identified interest in driving, I decided to pursue a job with a school bus company, which trained me to get my class 2 licence and a job as a school bus driver. When school was out for the summer, I was successful in getting an aircraft fueler role, which required me to drive the fuel truck as well as deliver the fuel inside the airport. 

One day, I was fuelling an Irving airplane at the Halifax Airport, and it opened my eyes to the possibilities of working for Irving Oil. I would often talk with the Irving pilot and jet fuel haul driver. They were always so happy, positive and evidently enjoyed their jobs. This motivated me to apply for a truck driver role with Irving Oil and continue to pursue my interest in professional driving.

Since joining the Irving Oil team, I have upgraded my licence to a class 1 which can open doors for more opportunities. I believe I have an advantage when it comes to understanding logistics and supply chain financial management because of my background in business. 

Career

I love my job as a truck driver because I enjoy travelling, financial stability and have a sense of responsibility. It has provided me with many growth opportunities, and I have learned a lot about the fleet and maintenance. I enjoy working for Irving Oil because of its strong roots, great customers and hardworking employees who make the working environment even more enjoyable.   

As a truck driver, my job duties include driving and delivery, customer service, tank maintenance, safety compliance, record keeping, route planning, maintenance of vehicle or fleet, and coordination/communication between dispatchers and other team members.  

I start my day by checking my delivery schedule and identifying any special delivery instructions. I then head to the propane bulk plant in Dartmouth to do my pre-trip inspection, load the truck, if needed, and one final personal protective equipment and truck safety check.

Throughout the workday, I unload propane from my truck to residential or commercial clients, conduct inspections of propane tanks and connections. I have lots of customer interactions along the way. Once I have safely completed all my deliveries, I return to the bulk plant, fuel the truck, check the truck’s fluid levels, and check/clean the equipment for the next day’s route. Safety is my top priority − making sure to follow all regulations and procedures to safely handle and deliver products.