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Truck Drivers  (NOC 7411)
Moncton--Richibucto Region
Description |  Titles |  Duties |   Related Occupations

Truck drivers operate heavy trucks to transport goods and materials over urban, interurban, provincial and international routes. They are employed by transportation companies, manufacturing and distribution companies, moving companies and employment service agencies, or they may be self-employed. This unit group also includes shunters who move trailers to and from loading docks within trucking yards or lots.

bulk goods truck driver, dump truck driver, flatbed truck driver, logging truck driver, long haul truck driver, moving van driver, shunt truck driver, tow truck driver, truck driver, truck driver, heavy truck, truck driver, tractor-trailer.

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Long-haul truck drivers perform some or all of the following duties:
  • Operate and drive straight or articulated trucks, weighing over 4600 kg with three or more axles, to transport goods and material to destinations
  • Oversee all aspects of vehicles, such as condition of equipment, loading and unloading, and safety and security of cargo
  • Perform pre-trip inspection of vehicle systems and equipment such as tires, lights, brakes and cold storage
  • Perform emergency roadside repairs
  • Obtain special permits and other documents required to transport cargo on international routes
  • Record cargo information, distance travelled, fuel consumption and other information in log book or on on-board computer
  • Communicate with dispatcher and other drivers using two-way radio, cellular telephone and on-board computer
  • May drive as part of a two-person team or convoy
  • May transport hazardous products or dangerous goods.
Line-haul and local truck drivers perform some or all of the following duties:
  • Operate and drive straight trucks to transport goods and materials over urban and short inter-urban routes
  • May drive lighter, special purpose trucks such as tow trucks, dump trucks, hydrovac trucks or cement mixing trucks
  • Perform pre-trip inspection and oversee all aspects of vehicles such as condition of equipment, and loading and unloading of cargo.
Included Cities in Region | Service Canada Offices

Moncton, Bouctouche, Dieppe, Richibucto, Riverview, Sackville, Shediac, McEwen, Salisbury

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View a list of Service Canada offices in this area.

Outlook & Prospects for Truck Drivers in Moncton--Richibucto Region

The future forecast and current conditions for an occupation can vary based on location or due to changes in the economy, technology, or demand for a product or service.

Local Employment Potential Information

Table on the employment potential for Truck Drivers in Moncton--Richibucto Region as well as in the rest of the New Brunswick.
Location Employment Potential Release Date
Moncton--Richibucto Region Good 2012-05-25

Currently the chances of qualified Truck Drivers finding employment are considered to be good in the local area.

Truck drivers work in various industries, including the transportation and warehousing, construction and retail trade industries. A great many job openings have been posted in the past year for this occupation. The Greater Moncton Area is considered the hub of the Maritimes, so transport companies have a strong presence in the area. Many local companies hire foreign workers to fill vacant positions. There is a shortage of long-haul truckers in the New Brunswick trucking industry. Also, the industry reports that the current shortage will probably worsen in the coming years because of the aging population and the impending retirement of some workers. Attracting new truck drivers and retaining them is currently a major challenge for the long-haul trucking industry. Lifestyle considerations, such as long hours and extended periods of time spent away from home on a regular basis, can detract from current compensation packages. To address this challenge, some employers are starting to offer additional incentives, such as guaranteed home time and flexible positions. Rising fuel prices, stiff competition and narrow profit margins will force the industry to adjust to new economic conditions. In the short term, this could reduce the number of truck drivers working as owner-operators. Owner-operators are often those most affected by rising fuel prices, and are therefore sometimes offered a fuel surcharge or a protected fuel rate as compensation. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL), introduced by the U.S. government in 2009, will have a negative impact on the demand for Canadian food exports and therefore may reduce the need for transportation of products to the United States. Technological advances, such as onboard computers and navigation and global positioning systems, are forcing truck drivers to become more computer literate.

Employment opportunities for Truck Drivers may vary in different communities across the province. You may want to check for specific opportunities in your community. Also, people who are able to work elsewhere may want to research the opportunities for this occupation in other areas of NB or in other provinces across the country.

[ Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]

Local Labour Market News

Week of Apr 22 – Apr 26, 2013

  • A new eight-story building comprising of 78 units, including condos, apartments and commercial space, is to be constructed on the corner of Wesley, Queen and Lester streets in downtown Moncton. Construction is expected to start this Fall, with completion estimated within 18 months.
  • The mayor of Dieppe and the minister of Transportation and Infrastructure announced the creation of a partnership to invest $1.5M to improve Dieppe Boulevard and Acadie Avenue. The provincial government will invest $550,000 for Dieppe Boulevard and $200,000 for repaving Acadie Avenue in the Chartersville marsh area. This is the first phase of a two-year $2.25M project to improve these two main roads. The work will begin this summer.
  • The Department of Fisheries and Oceans will allow lobster fishermen in Northern New Brunswick to begin the season a day early on Monday April 29th. This applies to Lobster Fishing Area 23, which covers the area from Campbellton to Escuminac.

Week of Apr 15 – Apr 19, 2013

  • The Shediac Lobster Shop, a lobster processing and retail outlet, is undertaking renovations to their Shediac Main Street location. The business employs about 200 workers and will open their newly renovated location on May 29.

Week of Apr 08 – Apr 12, 2013

  • The Greater Moncton area, which encompasses the cities of Memramcook and Dieppe, has seen the combined value of residential and non-residential construction increase for the past two years reaching $256.6 million last year. The area has experienced increases in both residential construction and the development of some large retail outlets.

Week of Mar 18 – Mar 22, 2013

  • Clayton Developments is expected to start a housing development in Riverview. This will include a combination of single-unit dwellings, condominium clusters, townhouse bungalows and multi-unit buildings. It could take up to five years to be completed.
  • The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has announced that the one-way bridge over Shediac river, at Shediac Bridge, will undergo renovations estimated at $250,000. The project should be completed towards the end of May.
[ Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]
Please consult the New Brunswick and Canada tabs for more useful information related to outlook.