Due to its strategic location, Nova Scotia has a rich history of trade linked to international shipping lanes, the United States, and other provinces. Nova Scotia supplies goods to industries across Canada, benefitting other provinces and exceeding $3 billion in trade deficits annually. In short, investing in Nova Scotia’s transportation benefits the entire nation’s economy.

As HR leaders in the transportation industry, hiring the right candidate is not just a priority—it’s a necessity. You recognize the significance of bringing aboard trustworthy and qualified employees who add to and sustain the $3.1 billion in revenues. Here are the essential background checks that HR leaders in the transportation industry should prioritize:

1.  Criminal Background Checks

Hiring an employee in the transportation industry is a long-term commitment. Verifying a candidate’s criminal history is important to avoid assigning crucial responsibilities to individuals with questionable pasts. Conducting criminal background checks, which can take as little as 15 minutes, helps ensure the right choice and prevents future occurrences of fraud and theft.

2.  Driver Abstracts

The transportation industry is tightly regulated, and companies have to follow rules and standards. Checking drivers’ abstracts ensures drivers meet the qualifications and licensing requirements set by the regulators. This prevents penalties, decreases liability, and ensures compliance. Clean driving records are essential for driving roles like trucking, delivery, or passenger transport, as they instill confidence in hiring companies.

3.  Credit Checks

A recent CareerBuilder survey reveals that 72% of employers conduct background checks on potential hires, with 29% including credit assessments. These checks aid employers in evaluating candidate suitability. They uncover indicators like poor credit and financial mismanagement, particularly important for roles with duties of sensitive data handling. A candidate’s financial history can reflect their reliability and responsibility, and a credit report can alert companies about individuals experiencing significant financial stress, which might lead to distractions and job-related issues.

4.  Educational Verification

Educational verification offers comprehensive reports on degrees, certificates, and expertise. This helps detect false or exaggerated information on resumes, minimizing the risk of fraudulent hiring practices. Validating educational credentials ensures that candidates have the knowledge and skills needed for specific roles, leading to better hiring decisions and improved job performance.

5.  Employment History Verification

Candidates’ employment history speaks volumes about their experience and work ethic. Accurate experience and a stable work history lead to longer employee retention, cutting the costs of frequent hiring and training. The transportation industry values candidates who exhibit honesty and transparency. These qualities are essential for safety, compliance, trust, skill alignment, customer satisfaction, and ethical standards.

Are Background Checks Effective? If So, How?

According to the FBI’s quality control evaluations, background checks are accurate approximately 99.3% to 99.8% of the time. Especially as the transportation industry in Nova Scotia grows, the need for comprehensive background checks becomes even more pronounced. Choosing the right provider for background checks is essential, and that’s where Triton comes in.

Triton offers a complete range of background check solutions tailored to the needs of the transportation industry. We are the fastest and most accurate, ensuring that your recruitment process remains efficient and streamlined. Also, our services can seamlessly integrate with your existing systems, simplifying the verification process for HR teams.