It’s not a new problem but it’s getting worse! According to a recent study, the Canadian road transport sector will have to deal with a serious shortage of truck drivers within the next eight years.
The average age of truckers in Canada is currently 47, two years older than in 2013, when the coming shortage had already been announced. Nearly 30% of truck drivers are at least 55 years old, making it one of the oldest workforces in the country. This means that thousands of these road professionals are approaching retirement while younger people are hesitant to commit themselves to this sector. This is why the Canadian Trucking Alliance expects the shortage could amount to 48,000 truckers by 2024.
In addition, the situation is aggravated by the lack of attractiveness to younger people, especially since a truck driver often works more than 12 hours a day and with the impact such use of time has on private life, the few women and the difficulty in recruiting foreigners except for temporary contracts, since this trade does not fall within the various programs reserved for highly qualified professions.
The industry is trying, using various communication campaigns, to convince potential candidates of the benefits of working in it, in particular by reminding them that no other profession lets you see as much of the country. David Bradley, president of the Canadian Trucking Alliance, also points out that although the average salary amounted to $40,728 in 2011, it’s not unusual for long distance drivers to earn as much as $70,000 or $80,000 per year.