Reasons why trucking is a great career choice in Canada
Working as a trucker has a lot of benefits. It is a unique career choice that gives you flexibility, security, and financial stability. Lately, more and more people are moving to Canada specifically for this type of job. Let's explore some of the reasons why trucking is a great career choice in Canada and if this is something you should consider.
The labor shortage is an excellent opportunity for newcomers
At the moment, there is a shortage of truck drivers in Canada. Older drivers are slowly retiring, and younger generations are seeking more attractive jobs. That means you have higher chances of applying for the position of a truck driver and getting it. There are a couple of requirements that are a must:
- You need a clean driving record; companies will not hire any person who had an extensive list of traffic tickets.
- A work permit for working in Canada.
- A positive drive to tackle the challenges of a trucker and deliver results.
Let's briefly cover the work permits.
Work permits in Canada
There are two types of work permits in Canada:
- Open work permit.
- Closed work permit.
Having an open work permit means that you are not tied to a specific employer. With it, you can freely look for a job in Canada wherever you want.
On the other hand, a closed work permit means you can only work for one employer. This is the usual work permit for all foreigners in Canada. To get it, you need to submit the employer's name, the location where the work will take place, and for how long.
Keep in mind that, for a closed work permit, you need to speak to the employer first and get the job before you move to Canada.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program
We also must mention the TFWP, or Temporary Foreign Worker Program. This option allows employers to hire foreigners without a work permit. If this is how you are applying for the job, understand that this is a short-term offer, and there are some special requirements. Speak with your potential employer about your options and duties.
What can you expect when working as a trucker in Canada?
The first thing you need to get ready for is lots of snow! Canada can be pretty cold and snowy over the year. The Canada ELD mandate is months away, so be prepared to learn the basics of Electronic Logging Devices. Before applying for this job, make sure you are familiar with the most important winter driving tips for truckers.
You can explore the country
Once you find yourself behind the wheel of a long-haul truck, you will experience what Canada really is. You can travel from one part of the country to the other, see different places, enjoy nature, and earn a good wage while you are doing it.
Trucking is a great career choice in Canada if you like driving, wish to be self-dependent, and work alone.
What are the duties of a trucker in Canada?
Make no mistake; this is not an easy job. You need to be mentally prepared to spend 10 to 12 hours or more behind the wheel every day. You need stamina, good physical and mental health, and a strong work ethic. Remember that you will be driving trucks that weigh over 10150 pounds and have three or more axles. Now that ELDs are becoming a part of Long haul trucking, prepare to also be technologically savvy.
Your actual job will be to oversee the loading and unloading process of the cargo, perform quality control, make sure everything is in place, take care of the transport of goods across the state, maintain your vehicle, and follow the weather changes on the road.
Another important thing to understand is that you may sometimes transport hazardous materials. When this happens, you need to know what the dangers are and how to safely operate the vehicle and take care of your cargo from the loading to the unloading process.
Before every delivery, you need to do a pre-inspection to ensure your truck is in good condition. That means you need to know your way around the trucks and be familiar with all the equipment. If required, you might even have to know how to do emergency roadside repairs.
When it comes to transporting cargo, remember that you might have to drive across the border. In that case, you will need a special permit and other documents.
While on the road, you are required to take notes about how many miles you drove, different cargo information, fuel consumption, and anything else of importance. This part is made easy thanks to telematics technology, the future of fleet management.
Even though you are driving alone, you still need to communicate with your dispatchers and other drivers on the road. It is important to get used to driving in groups with other truckers. This is a good practice, especially in case of dangerous road conditions. If something happens, you have your team to back you up.
The most important thing to say is that the salary of a trucker in Canada goes from $55,000 to $65,000 per year. As you can see, trucking is a great career choice in Canada since it allows you to earn a lot of money with only driving.
Moving to Canada for work
As we already mentioned, due to the shortage of truckers in Canada and the flexibility the job offers, many newcomers decide to move here from abroad and pursue this type of career. Even though relocation to a completely unknown country may sound scary, a lot of people do it every year. There is no reason why you should not try your luck.
Reasons why trucking is a great career choice in Canada - delivered!
And there you have it. Trucking is a great career choice in Canada, and it is an opportunity that you should not miss. Here is your chance to travel abroad, earn more money, and experience the world from a whole other perspective. Good luck!
