It’s no secret that the Canadian Trucking Industry is suffering from a trucking labour shortage. In fact, it is estimated that approximately 320,000 new employees will be needed in the next 10 years to keep the trucking industry moving.
The main reason for the shortage is retirements of the industry’s current drivers. A study by the Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council found that 64% of Canadian drivers are between the ages of 30 and 55 and 18% are 55 or older. On average 14,000 additional drivers will be needed per year solely to address the current vacancies, retirements and the increase in demand as a result of a growing economy. This combined with the standard turn over rate that the industry is faced with; makes the trucking industry rich with job opportunities.
The industry is not what it used to be. Gone are the days of “Billy Big Rigger” flying down the highway as fast as he can, hauling loads for weeks on end and “fixing” his log book to get more hours. It’s not like the romantic concepts of Burt in Smokey and the Bandit or Swayze in Black Dog (which is like Road House but with a truck). The industry is highly regulated. Reputable companies, like Len Dubois Trucking, will require you to comply with all safety regulations set out.
Job opportunities in trucking are high pay and secure. These jobs cannot be exported and there are plenty of opportunities to advance your career. Combine high paying jobs with a relatively low cost of living and Manitoba is a great place to be apart of the trucking industry.
