Canada has a huge need for skilled and experienced truck drivers with a yearly requirement of 17,000 till 2025 to meet supply chain demands. To meet these demands, the Canadian government relaxed Express Entry rules specifically for truck drivers and also introduced provincial and territorial levels programs. Let’s find out more about these programs, eligibility requirements, and the application process.
Express Entry Route
Since Canada has recognised a strong need for truck drivers, they have added a new NOC 7511 for Express Entry. You have to first meet requirements of the Federal Skilled Program under Express Entry. Eligibility requirements, which you can check by inputting data into the Comprehensive Ranking System tool.
Then, you need to create an application online. The IRCC hosts Express Entry draws every couple weeks and scores change (usually increase) every time. You’ll then receive the Invitation to Apply (ITA) and start the second half of the process – submitting documents to prove details you entered in the application.
Provincial Nominee Program Route
You have two options under this – reach out to the province or territory you’d like to immigrate to and ask them for a nomination. Once they approve, you can make your application through the Express Entry portal.
Second option – apply for Express Entry per usual and you’ll find a section that lets you express interest in the provinces. If the province chooses to nominate you, you can then apply for it afterwards.
Once you have landed in Canada, you will have to clear the Class A licence test, for both – Express Entry and PNP routes. After that, you are eligible to find the right employment.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program
This program is employer-based and gives you a temporary holder status for a minimum of two years, so you can grow your score, and eventually apply for permanent residency. You might also apply for LMIA or Labour Market Impact Assessment through this program to meet the points criteria. Your spouse will also be eligible for a work permit through this program.
Please note that you are only allowed to work with one employer in Canada. If you are fired from the job or need to quit, you can’t work with another employer using the same permit. You’ll have to reapply through the program but your experience will still be counted towards PR.
Eligibility requirements include:
- Be healthy
- Hold a valid passport
- Be allowed to enter Canada
- Have a job offer from a Canadian employer
- Hold no criminal history or pose a threat to Canada’s national security
- Pass English or French language assessment skills
- Prove intention to leave Canada after the work permit expires
Other roles now eligible for Express Entry include:
1. Payroll administrators
2. Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
3. Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates
4. Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
5. Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
6. Sheriffs and bailiffs
7. Correctional service officers
8. By law enforcement and other regulatory officers
9. Estheticians, electrologists, and related occupations
10. Residential and commercial installers and servicers
11. Pest controllers and fumigators
12. Other repairers and servicers
13. Bus drivers, subway operators, and other transit operators
14. Heavy equipment operators
15. Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
Caledon Truck Driving School offers a comprehensive 5-week, 103.5 hours long Class A MELT program in Brampton, Ontario. Many of our students have cleared the class A licence test in their first attempt and found well-paying jobs within the first 3 months. We have a new batch starting soon. To schedule a tour of our campus and training facilities, reach out to our office.
