Job prospects Long Haul Tractor-trailer Driver in Prince Edward Island

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Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "long haul tractor-trailer driver" in Prince Edward Island or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Prince Edward Island

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be very good for Transport truck drivers (NOC 73300) in Prince Edward Island for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
• Several positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

The prospect for employment in this occupation is very good as there continues to be a shortage of workers and unfilled vacancies in the province. This occupation falls under the provincial Occupations in Demand immigration stream, which is a program designed to help employers fill vacant positions that they are unable to fill locally. Furthermore, Employers rely on the Temporary Foreign Worker program to fill temporary jobs/vacancies in this occupation when qualified Canadian labour is not available.

The demand for workers in this field often fluctuates with economic conditions, especially those in the manufacturing, wholesale trade and construction sectors. Since truck drivers carry goods to various markets within Canada and the United States, the occupation is quite sensitive to regional and global economic turns.

Technology has impacted the trucking industry significantly over the past decade. 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, vehicle inspection and trouble-shooting.

Working conditions, such as long work hours, unconventional work schedules and being away from home are listed as some of the main causes for the high employee turnover in this occupation. In particular, there tends to be a high turnover rate for long-haul drivers increasing the number of openings in this specific area. Also, in certain industries, such as construction, agriculture and forestry, seasonal work is common as drivers often experience periods of unemployment during the year.

Further, those with industry certification, such as a licence to transport dangerous goods or enhanced security clearance at international borders, will likely have more career opportunities. Employment opportunities may also be good for tractor-trailer (long-haul) truck drivers who own and operate their own trucks. Job prospects may be stronger for experienced workers with a clean driver's abstract as well. However, for individuals under the age of 25, career prospects in this field may be reduced because of the greater insurance costs to employers. The use of global positioning systems and onboard computers has significant impact on how truckers work and on employers' requirements.

Here are some key facts about Transport truck drivers in Prince Edward Island:

• Approximately 1,400 people work in this occupation.
• Transport truck drivers mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Truck transportation (NAICS 484): 33%
  • Construction (NAICS 23): 17%
  • Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 10%
  • Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 21): 9%
  • Food, beverage and tobacco product manufacturing (NAICS 311, 312): 6%
• 52% of transport truck drivers work all year, while 48% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 40 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.
• 12% of transport truck drivers are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: more than 95% compared to 51% for all occupations
  • Women: less than 5% compared to 49% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 26% compared to 11% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 42% compared to 28% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 20% compared to 11% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 9% compared to 25% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "long haul tractor-trailer driver" in Prince Edward Island or across Canada.

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