What Lane is Right For You?

You might know that the North American trucking industry is experiencing an unprecedented need for new drivers, and that this demand is forecast to continue for some time. The Conference Board of Canada predicts that there will be a shortfall of more than 25000 drivers by 2020, caused by industry growth and a high level of attrition among older drivers who will be retiring.It’s never been a better time for job seekers in the road freight business. For years, the majority of opportunities were for long-haul drivers, who could look forward to irregular schedules with very little assurance of “home time”. As a result, many potential drivers were dissuaded from joining the industry. Today, trucking companies have woken up to the fact that lifestyle is important to many young people considering careers, and so have restructured their operations to make employment more attractive.Today’s truck drivers have more choice, and control, over their careers than ever before.

Here are some of the available options:

‍1) Over-The-Road trucking, also called Long Haul

These jobs, which are relatively plentiful and also financially rewarding, are the traditional “lone wolf” trucking opportunities. Canadian drivers who are comfortable and open to US routes are among the best paid in the industry. Many companies have responded to the needs of their drivers, and offer schedules with regular weekends at home.

‍2) Domestic Routes

‍Many companies offer routes that don’t include border crossings, which some drivers prefer.‍

3) Local Trucking, and Dedicated Routes

‍For drivers who prefer to be home every night, there are many companies looking for local drivers. While these jobs tend to pay less than long hauls, they’re more family friendly, which appeals to a lot of people.To find out about the various options available for new drivers, contact Winnipeg’s leading driver training centre, First Class Training today.