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Truck Drivers  (NOC 7411)
Saint John--St. Stephen 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

Saint John, Golden Grove, Rothesay, Saint Andrews, St. Stephen, Sussex, Hampton Station, Lingley

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View a list of Service Canada offices in this area.

Outlook & Prospects for Truck Drivers in Saint John--St. Stephen 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 Saint John--St. Stephen Region as well as in the rest of the New Brunswick.
Location Employment Potential Release Date
Saint John--St. Stephen Region Good 2011-09-08

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

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.

According to the most recent (2006) Census, this is a large occupational group with a labour force of 1630.

According to the most recent Canadian Occupational Projections System (COPS) Forecast, the average annual employment growth rate for this occupation is above the average for all occupations in New Brunswick. Many of the jobs in this occupation can be found in these main industries: 1) Transportation and Warehousing, 2) Construction and 3) Retail Trade.

The Canadian Trucking Association anticipates a continuation of this strong growth over the long term. As a result, the New Brunswick trucking industry has reported a shortage of long-haul drivers. The industry also reports that the current shortage is expected to get worse over the next few years due to the aging workforce and impending retirements.

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 away from family on a regular basis, can weigh heavily against current compensation packages. To address this challenge, some employers are starting to offer incentives such as guaranteed home time and flexible positions.

Technology such as navigation and global positioning systems, and onboard computers are forcing individuals in this occupation to become computer literate.

There are a very high number of jobs advertised in the local newspaper and on the electronic sites for truck drivers, especially those interested in long-haul, cross border driving.

For more information on Truck Drivers (opportunities in other areas, training, who hires, current job openings and additional statistics), please click on one of the links below or select another option from the left sidebar. Date Published: 08/09/2011

[ Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]

Local Labour Market News

Week of Apr 15 – Apr 19, 2013

  • The Port of Saint John experienced a year-over-year increase in tonnage in the first quarter of 2013. Potash, forest products and container tonnage account for the bulk of the increase.

Week of Apr 08 – Apr 12, 2013

  • Saint John experienced a major slowdown in both residential and non-residential construction over the past year reaching an 8-year low. The total value of new construction last year was $32 million, less than half what it was in 2011. Major projects in the area, such as the $2.4-billion Point Lepreau refurbishment and the $100-million harbour cleanup program, have wound down over the past year with no new investments taking their place.
  • A new mill built by PotashCorp in Penobsquis N.B. will be completed in June. When finished, the mill is expected to process up to 1.8 million tonnes of potash per year from the new Picadilly mine. The mine is expected to open next year creating 250 full-time jobs.
  • The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency has contributed $48,000 in support of renovations to the St Martins arena in the 4 Season Complex. The funding was matched by provincial government's Regional Development Corporation, with the Village of St Martins providing $6,556.

Week of Apr 01 – Apr 05, 2013

  • An investment of $200,000 will be made by the federal government to do work on the port of Seal Cove on Grand Manan Island. The work is intended to improve security at the port.

Week of Mar 25 – Mar 29, 2013

  • Vic Progressive Diamond Drilling Inc. will create 12 new jobs with a new manufacturing facility that will produce equipment for mining and oil and gas industries. The company already employs 80 workers in the Sussex area.
[ Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]
Please consult the New Brunswick and Canada tabs for more useful information related to outlook.