If you are a new trucking graduate, you would have come across fellow truckers complaining about how logistics companies have a high turnover rate in Canada. This all is amidst the several shortages reports that companies and trucking associations are putting out every month. So does it mean that a company that has a high turnover rate is not a good employer? There’s more to the story and the numbers, and here’s why….
Most drivers quit within their first year of trucking
While it’s now difficult to break into long-haul logistics jobs, truckers working with them have a high incident rate. It could be simply being stuck somewhere due to bad weather conditions or accidents. Truckers might quit because they felt too isolated being on the road for 10-14 days straight without seeing friends or family.
Logistics companies that hire new drivers are heavily insured, so turnover rates don’t bother them. However, they work on volume and need to find new truckers right away, which contributes to the high turnover costs.
So what about companies with a low turnover rate? These are mostly companies that hire truck drivers with a minimum two years of experience, which means they know exactly what to do, avoid accidents, and reach target destinations on time. Insurance rates drop down after one full year of experience.
Why do truckers switch companies?
Many switch jobs due to personal reasons. Maybe their parents need more help and they want to be closer to them. It could be that their kids are starting school and they want to be more present.
Some truckers switch companies for a lower stress role where they can come home every night. In this interview with Trucking Truth, a truck driver named Kim, told that she quit trucking after a few years because she couldn’t handle the stress of finding parking spots and trip planning. She now works at her old law firm and said that even though it was a stressful job, it was predictable, and she knew how to tackle it.
Job hopping might not lead to a successful career
If you are a new truck driver, your career options are limited until you have a couple years of experience. Once you do, find a company that you want to work with and not apply for any job that lands in your inbox. You can reach out to these companies’ hiring managers through LinkedIn as those that hire only with experience are always on the lookout for good experienced drivers.
At the same time, work on your skills, both trucking and soft skills, to demonstrate professionalism. Some skills that are highly in demand are time management, reliability, unbiasedness, and communication.
Caledon Truck Driving School offers personalised MELT Program for students in Brampton and Caledon. Our small group settings ensure each student receives attention from our experienced instructors. If you’re interested in knowing more about our courses, please get in touch with us by filling this form.
