The trucking industry is a major employer in its own right employing over 400,000 people directly and supporting several tens of thousands more in the production and provision of goods and services to the industry, such as truck and trailer manufacturing, sales components and parts manufacturing and distribution, insurance and software development.
According to the Census of Canada, truck driver is the leading occupation among males in Canada at over 260,000 jobs, Moreover, since the trucking industry exists in virtually every community accessible by road, the jobs and economic contribution of the industry are spread across the entire country. The industry also offers the first job in Canada for many new Canadians.
Current forecasts suggest the industry is facing a major shortage of qualified truck drivers and related occupations in the years ahead, making it an attractive place for existing and future workers looking for an interesting, well-paying and secure career. A 2003 study conducted for the Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council (CTHRC) estimates that satisfying the demand for additional truck drivers resulting from economic growth combined with attrition from the industry, will require an infusion of nearly 224,000 qualified commercial drivers from 2003 to 2008, and annual average of 37,317.
The study highlights the following reasons for the increased demand:
Trucking Workforce Tends to be Older than National Average: In 2001, 40% of employees in transportation were 45 years or older - compared to 34% for all other industries. 13% of employees in trucking were 55 or older compared to 11% in all other industries. This means transportation will loose employees to retirement faster than most other industries.
Trucking Workforce Under-represented in Younger Age Categories: The study shoes that between 1991 and 2001, younger drivers between the ages of 20 and 24 have been increasingly under-represented when compared to other employed Canadians. In 1991, more than 9% of drivers were between 20 and 24. By 2001, the number was cut in half to around 4.5%. Those in the same age group employed in other occupations remained at above 9%.
Demand Due to Economic Growth: Based on economic forecasts alone, just between 2005 and 2008 the demand for qualified commercial drivers in Canada will increase from 318,300 to 343,600 drivers. (B.C.'s demand for drivers will increase by nearly 3,000 over the same period or approximately 1,000 qualified drivers will be needed each year.)
Demand Due to Attrition: An additional 112,400 new drivers will be required nationally to replace existing drivers who leave the industry between 2005 and 2008 due to retirement or change of occupation. (In B.C., this translates into over 13,000 new drivers to replace those expected to depart during this period, or 4,346 drivers during each of those years.)
Overall Demand: More Needed for Tractor-Trailer Units: The study estimates that roughly two-thirds of the forecasted drivers needed will require the equivalent of a Class 1 commercial driver's license (qualified to drive tractor-trailer units). The findings come from an in depth study of Canadian drivers, fleets and
industry associations. The study is entitled Profile of Driver Shortage, Driver Turnover and Future Demand Estimates. The study is available for download from the CTHRC website.