A strong trucking and logistics sector is paramount to supply chain stability in Canada, where the vast majority of freight shipments, roughly 90 percent, are hauled by truck. The problem: there aren't enough qualified truck drivers to get the job done.
A nationwide truck driver shortage—in which Canadian trucking operators could be short 55,000 drivers by the end of 2023—is posing a serious threat to our supply chain and economy, and its effects will be felt from the grocery store to the gas pump.
How The Trucking Industry In Canada Is Changing
In response to this looming crisis, big changes to the trucking industry are already underway and expected to continue, including:
1. Wage increases
As labour capacity in the trucking industry continues to tighten, many trucking operators have raised drivers’ wages—average weekly earnings for long-distance drivers have reportedly increased by 21 percent since 2019—and may offer signing bonuses and other perks.
2. Shorter routes
The truck driver lifestyle isn’t for everyone; days or weeks on the road has proven to be a deal-breaker for many. To alleviate this concern, operators are looking for opportunities to shorten routes, such as breaking up one long route into a series of shorter routes by creating multiple drop off points, so drivers can have better work-life balance.
3. More diversity
Trucking companies are working hard to attract more women to the trucking industry and citizenship pathways such as the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) are expected to significantly bolster the driver pool, creating a more diverse trucking workforce.
4. Younger drivers
Commercial truck drivers under the age of 21 were prohibited from driving interstate routes in the United States, which was a big problem for young Canadian truck drivers. In an effort to mitigate driver shortages, the Biden administration’s new infrastructure bill includes a three-year pilot program that will allow truck drivers as young as 18 to cross state lines.
Why Become A Truck Driver?
You know that truck drivers are badly needed in Canada, so you can assume that you’ll have plenty of job opportunities as a truck driver in Canada.
What you may not know is that a career as a truck driver also comes with a lot of other perks, such as:
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flexibility;
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great earning potential;
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equal pay;
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career growth potential;
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job autonomy and adventure!
Another perk of training for a career as a truck driver is that truck driver training can be completed in 6 weeks, so you can be on the road and earning in no time.
How To Become A Truck Driver In Ontario
To become a truck driver in Ontario, you need a commercial drivers licence (AZ licence). Before you can take the road test for your commercial licence, you will need to complete commercial driver training with a
Ministry of Transportation (MTO) approved truck driving school.
KnowledgeSurge is an MTO-approved truck driving school and one of the most respected truck driving schools in the country. After graduation, KnowledgeSurge career advisors can help you find opportunities in trucking specifically targeted to the career path you’re most interested in.
Want to help keep Canada moving? Contact KnowledgeSurge today.
