Truck Drivers (NOC 7411) - what they do

Truck Drivers (NOC 7411)

Truck Drivers:

Operate and drive straight or articulated trucks weighing over 4,600 kg with three or more axles to transport goods/materials. Oversee all aspects of vehicles such as pre‑trip inspection of vehicle systems, condition of equipment, loading/unloading, and safety/security of cargo

Obtain special permits/other documents required to transport cargo on international routes

Record cargo information, distance travelled, fuel consumption, and other information in a log book or an on‑board computer

Receive and relay information to a central dispatcher

Drive as part of a team or convoy, and transport hazardous products or dangerous goods

Communicate with dispatcher and other drivers using Citizen's Band (CB) radio, Internet, cellular phone, and on‑board computer

Where They Find Work —

Transportation & Storage       61%

Wholesale Trade 9%

Construction        6%

Retail Trade         4%

Manufactured Mineral Products     3%

Food Products & Beverages 2%

Public Administration   2%

Truck drivers work for transportation companies, manufacturing/distribution companies, moving companies, and employment service agencies, or they may be self‑employed. The highest concentrations (per 10,000 people) of truck drivers are found in Alberta and Saskatchewan while the lowest concentration is in Newfoundland.

Some Related Occupation(s)

Motor Vehicle & Transit Drivers (NOC 7411)

Bus Drivers & Subway & Other Transit Operators (NOC 7411)

Heavy Equipment Operators (NOC 7411)

Logging Machinery Operators (NOC 7411)

Something to Think About

To enhance your professional knowledge and broaden your opportunities, consider:

Retraining regularly in the newest techniques

Improving interpersonal skills

Setting standards and guidelines for safety/operations

Developing customer relations

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Use the "Where They Find Work" graph to target your worksearch. It may be easier to get into industries with the most people in this field. Want to work in an industry that hires fewer workers in this field? To be more marketable, check out whether you have the most up‑to‑date knowledge and technology skills for that industry. Check the provincial/territorial or local information (http://lmi‑imt.hrdc‑drhc.gc.ca) for opportunities in your area.

What You Need

You usually need a high school diploma.

You usually receive on‑the‑job training.

You must have a Class "D" licence to drive straight trucks.

You need a Class "A" license to drive articulated trucks.

Drivers who operate vehicles equipped with air brakes must have air brake endorsements.

You need Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) certification to transport hazardous products or dangerous goods.

With experience or additional training, you may move up the ranks to become a supervisor, driver trainer, safety officer or truck dispatcher.

Many recent entrants have a high school diploma, and almost 1in 4 have a trade/vocational certificate or community college diploma.

Required/Related

This will let you explore the program(s) of study that lead to this (these) occupation(s).

Auto Mechanic (T313)

Construction Technologies (T332)

Transportation Engineering Technologies (C390)

These educational programs are listed in the order in which they are most likely to supply graduates to this occupation.

Useful Experience/Skills

Customer service

Mechanics

Computer use (Global Positioning System)

Useful High School Subjects

Mechanics

English

First Aid

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Depending on your background, this Education, Training, and Experience info will help you to:

Choose your high school courses

Plan your post‑secondary program

Choose relevant volunteer work

Decide what new skills to learn

Read job ads, professional journals, and newspapers for what the industry needs and employers want.

Talk to employers and employees to find out the exceptional skills and knowledge that will help you land a job.

Current Conditions

Your work prospects are rated FAIR because:

Employment grew at an average rate over the 1999‑2001 period because of the economic expansion in the trade sector being balanced by the 2001 economic slowdown.

Hourly wages ($15.68) are lower than average ($16.91), but the rate of wage growth is above average.

The unemployment rate about average (5%).

The number of job seekers, mostly unemployed workers, recent graduates, and immigrants, matches the number of job openings.

Work Prospects

Current       Fair

2007 Fair

Outlook To 2007

Your work prospects will continue to be rated FAIR because:

The employment growth rate will likely be below average as trade and trucking activity slowly recovers from the 2001 economic slowdown. However, new safety regulations that limit drivers' daily work hours will likely result in job gains.

The retirement rate will likely be average, and the number of retiring workers should contribute significantly to job openings.

The number of job seekers will likely match the number of job openings.

Preparing for the Competition

You'll be competing with unemployed workers.

You're more likely to succeed if you develop technical and interpersonal skills.

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If you are beginning your career investigation, national outlooks will give you a good overview of trends.

Ready to explore an occupation in more detail? Check provincial/territorial or local outlooks

Earnings

What you can expect to make

(Average Hourly Earnings ($/hour))

Age Group          This Occupation All Occupations

20‑24          $12.60        $11.09

25‑54          $15.95        $18.46

55+   $15.95        $18.25

Overall Average for Ages (15+)

This Occupation All Occupations

$15.68        $16.91

Hourly wages ($15.68) are close to the national average ($16.91).

These earnings are below average for occupations in the trades, transport, and equipment operations sectors and are close to the average for all intermediate occupations.

These wages grew at an above‑average rate from 1999 to 2001.

TIP

Your salary can be affected by your background, the company's size and benefits, and the region and setting (urban or rural).

Check out salaries in your own region by seeking info from:

Employees/unions/associations

Employers/human resource people

Training institutions and placement services

Company websites

Professional/trade journals

Unemployment: Average

The unemployment rate (6%) is close to the 2001 average (5%).

This rate is close to the average for intermediate occupations.

TIP

A low unemployment rate often means less competition for the jobs available. But you still need to have the required training and experience.

A high unemployment rate doesn't necessarily mean you'll have great difficulty getting hired. But it can mean a fluctuating demand for workers, and you may experience bouts of unemployment.

Year This Occupation All Occupations

1988 8%    6%

1989 9%    6%

1990 10% 7%

1991 11% 8%

1992 12% 8%

1993 10% 8%

1994 9%    7%

1995 9%    7%

1996 9%    6%

1997 8%    6%

1998 7%    6%

1999 6%    5%

2000 6%    5%

2001 6%    5%

Full Time/Part‑Time

% of Part‑time work is below average

          This Occupation All Occupations

Full‑time    96% 82%

Part‑time    4%    18%

There were 258,000 workers employed in these occupations in 2001, an increase of 29% since 1994.

The percentage of part‑time workers (4%) is below the 2001 average (18%) and has stayed about the same since 1994.

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When full‑time work is difficult to find, look at alternatives such as contract work, consulting, shared positions, and telework.

Self‑Employed: Average

The percentage of self‑employed workers is 21% compared to the 2001 average of 16% and has risen significantly since 1994.

          This Occupation All Occupations

Self‑employed     21% 16%

TIP

Does this occupation have an above‑average rate of self‑employment? Consider being your own boss if you can't find work with an employer.

Age Group          This Occupation All Occupations

15‑24          6%    15%

25‑54          81% 74%

55+   13% 11%

The relatively high percentage of older workers and an expected older‑than‑average worker (41) will likely be offset by a later retirement age (64) resulting in an average retirement rate to 2007.

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Look at the youngest group. A low percentage means fewer openings for brand‑new workers. A high percentage means more openings for brand‑new workers.

Look at the oldest age group. A high percentage means positions could open up from retirements. This could be significant for both mid‑career changers and brand‑new workers.

Men/Women

Below average

The percentage of women (3%) is below the 2001 average (46%) and has stayed about the same since 1994.

his Occupation All Occupations

Percent Women   3%    46%

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If your gender is a minority in this occupation and this causes you problems in your workplace, seek out support systems and/or other opportunities in the field.

This page last modified on: 2003‑03‑31    

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