Trucking has historically been a very misunderstood profession and as such, there are a lot of misconceptions surrounding this $27 billion industry in Canada which currently employs around 3.5 million workers. In this article, we will try our best to debunk some of those myths.
1. It is not a well-paying industry.
A commercial truck driver in Canada gets paid around $26 an hour or $49,116 per year which is on the higher side of the country’s general pay scale. Other than that, there is a huge opportunity for growth within the industry if you are interested in eventually becoming an owner-operator, the average salary for which in Canada is around $100000 a year or $50 an hour.
2. Trucking jobs can’t be flexible.
There is a dire shortage of commercial truck drivers in Canada, 30000 drivers short in 2022, to be precise. To encourage more professionals to consider truck driving as an option, Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) is incorporating more and more flexibility into the working style to dissolve the notion that trucking is a rigid profession which has all work and no play.
Currently, there are a lot of different kinds of commercial truck driving jobs which are not as hectic as the general long-freight driving. Moreover, a commercial truck driver legally cannot drive more than 13 hours a day, which ensures their physical safety as well as mental health and leisure time.
3. Truck Driving is not a safe profession.
Although the risks associated with long-haul driving are undeniable, most accidents occur due to reasons that have nothing to do with the profession per se. Firstly, a lot of truck drivers overextend themselves physically to earn more money and exhaust themselves, which can be lethal in a field that requires laser focus. Secondly, there exist some unprofessional drivers who are either ill-equipped to drive due to not having proper training or a commercial license but still choose to drive illegally. Thirdly, the trucking industry utilizes heavy machinery which demands extremely careful handling. When these factors are not met by the driver, the job becomes risky.
4. Truckers are not professionally skilled.
This is a pretty offensive misconception as it hurts the way the profession is perceived socially as well. Youngsters are less inclined to want to take up commercial truck driving as a profession as they do not consider it to be a ‘high-status” or “intellectual” job. However, not only does it fall under the skilled occupation status in Canadian NOC classification, it also requires extensive practical training and industry knowledge. Truckers form the backbone of all industries as they provide the basic materials that are required for any kind of work, from food to fuel.
The trucking industry in Canada has a large number of vacancies and is looking for qualified and dedicated professionals to fill these roles. If you are interested in becoming a professional trucker, you will need a valid commercial driving license and will need to have received formal training. Caledon Truck Driving School in Brampton is the best-in-class commercial truck driving school in Brampton. Enroll into our MELT program and receive your official certification so you can be on your way to becoming an expert commercial driver.