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Truck Drivers  (NOC 7411)
North Coast 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

Prince Rupert, Terrace

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View a list of Service Canada offices in this area.

Outlook & Prospects for Truck Drivers in North Coast 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 North Coast Region as well as in the rest of the British Columbia.
Location Employment Potential Release Date
North Coast Region Good 2012-10-22

Job prospects for truckers are good. The retirement of experienced truck drivers will account for the majority of future job openings. In addition, new employment opportunities will occur as truck drivers leave entry level-positions, such as short-haul or van transport, that pay less than long-haul positions. Long-haul drivers require a Class 1 commercial driver's license with an air brake endorsement to operate tractor-trailer units.

Over half of all truck drivers in the economic region are employed in the transportation and warehousing industry. However, employment opportunities also exist in the region's forestry sector. The North Coast's economy is growing, with employment opportunities being driven by major construction projects such as the building of the Northwest Transmission line. Trades, transportation and equipment operation occupations are expected to account for the majority of the jobs required to support the construction and operation of the various projects in the area.

Qualified truck drivers looking for work can find job listings and recruitment information on the British Columbia Trucking Association site.

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