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Truck Drivers  (NOC 7411)
Windsor-Sarnia 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

Chatham, Windsor, Sarnia, Amherstburg, Belle River, Forest, Kingsville, Lakeshore, Leamington, Petrolia, St. Clair Beach, Tecumseh, Blenheim, Dresden, Ridgetown, Stoney Point, Tilbury, Wallaceburg

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View a list of Service Canada offices in this area.

Outlook & Prospects for Truck Drivers in Windsor-Sarnia 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 Windsor-Sarnia Region as well as in the rest of the Ontario.
Location Employment Potential Release Date
Windsor-Sarnia Region Fair 2012-11-19

The employment prospects for truck drivers in the Windsor-Sarnia region are expected to be fair for 2012-2013. According to the 2006 census, there were about 7,700 truck drivers in the region, an increase of about 22% from the previous census. While demand has slowed somewhat over the past few years due to the decline in the manufacturing sector, recent government stimulus spending on infrastructure projects has added opportunities within construction. Truckers are the fourth largest occupation in this labour market area due to the region's proximity to the Detroit border crossing which provides a commercial link to the United States. Truck drivers have a slightly older age profile when compared to all occupations in the region. With about 35% of the workers over the age of 50, some new opportunities may arise as a result of workers who leave or retire.

In Ontario, the outlook for truck drivers is expected to be fair for 2012-2013. According to the 2006 census, there were about 111,000 truck drivers in Ontario, an increase of nearly 19% from the previous census. This is one of the larger occupation groups in the Ontario labour force. Due to its substantial size many opportunities will come from turnover as workers leave for other jobs. Demand for truck drivers fluctuates with economic conditions, especially in manufacturing, wholesale trade and construction. Employment growth in the occupation has moderated over the last few years due to softer economic conditions within the province and in the United States. Truck drivers carry goods to markets within Ontario and inter-provincially, and to a large extent south of the border.

Technology has had a big impact on the trucking industry. Trucks are now more efficient and safer to operate, but they are also more mechanically complex. Emerging training needs for drivers include computer skills, electronic technologies, defensive driving, inspection, trouble-shooting and customer relations. Truck drivers with experience and a clean driver abstract will have the best job prospects, especially if they are bondable and have other certification such as carrying dangerous goods. Long-haul drivers will have better prospects than most other types of drivers because of higher reported turnover. The working conditions, such as long work hours and being away from home, are listed as one of the main causes for the high turnover rates in this occupation. Employment potential for workers under age 25 may be lower due to higher insurance costs for employers.

[ Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]
Please consult the Ontario and Canada tabs for more useful information related to outlook.