Canada working on its driver shortage

Look north. Look familiar? Canada’s truckers are nearing retirement age, and their next generation really isn’t interested in trucking. Like ours, most Canadian trucking jobs offer few benefits, with drivers working irregular schedules and longer hours than many other occupations. But the biggest drawback to trucking, according to surveys, is the time away from home.

Canadian trucking companies are doing a lot of advertising and the Canadian trucking human resources council is surveying new hires. They’re trying to figure out where new recruits are likely to come from, and how well-prepared trucking school graduates are to actually taking to the road. Their research has also shown it costs much less to retain drivers than find new ones.

Canadian journalists argue that trucking companies could attract more and better people if the companies paid student drivers tuition and wages while they are in school.

Therefore, what is our industry doing down here in the states? Lots of advertising and surveys. Hmmmm.

This is where we come in. What do you as a driver want and need? Sure, more money and time at home would always be welcome, but this isn’t the panacea for everyone. What about a must have list of your personal requirements? Do you have one? You should, and are you sharing it with the recruiter? Are there better ways to calculate ones pay other than by the mile? What are some creative solutions? What is it going take to bring quality drivers into trucking? What’s it going to take to keep you driving?

Something to think about …