Trucking Career Information Hub
If you are considering a career in the trucking industry, here’s your chance to ask some important questions. Browse through the positions menu and click on the ones you are curious about.
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If you are considering a career as a driver trainer, here’s your chance to ask some important questions. Scroll through the frequently asked questions and click on the ones you are curious about.
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If you are interested in becoming a Driver Trainer, you will have to become a Professional Driver first. If you’re already an experienced Professional Driver, you should inquire with your employer or a Professional Driver training school to see what their hiring requirements are. Candidates are assessed on their overall experience, in the transportation industry, and what they can bring to the position.
My main role is to ensure new drivers are well trained!
I conduct driver orientations and explain how to be successful at our company. I provide an understanding of the carrier’s foundational rules, and explain the tools and resources available to new drivers.
An assessment of driver skills is also carried out, by physically sitting inside the truck and observing and recording results.
I think it’s a critical role in our industry, because it orients the first steps of new drivers in the company. I get a real sense of accomplishment when I see new people acting responsibly and professionally because of the training I have provided.
Wages start at $50,000 and progress to $70,000 per year. The national average is currently $60,000 per year.
Yes. There are two types of trainers. Regional Driver Trainers and Driver Safety Trainers.
A Regional Driver Trainer performs orientations for new employees, and conducts driver assessments.
Driver Safety Trainers, assess accidents, and do specialized training beyond the Regional Driver Trainer programs. They perform truck accident investigations and situational condition assessments. They have a unique skill set and are always in demand.
There is plenty of room for movement from a Driver Trainer position. The position requires a flexible attitude, and a commitment to lifelong learning, which makes these candidates superior applicants for other positions in the company.
Manager roles or Terminal Operational roles can all offer driver trainers interesting and challenging future possibilities, within the transportation industry.
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If you are considering a career as a dispatcher, here’s your chance to ask some important questions. Scroll through the frequently asked questions and click on the ones you are curious about.
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I am the master scheduler! My job is to schedule drivers to pickup or deliver loads to customers or vendors. This involves determining the best delivery methods for cargo, evaluating any special needs for each load and ensuring our company is cost effective by coordinating and managing loads so they are efficient.
I am also responsible for tracking the driver’s locations using a computer system. This allows me to monitor the hours of service for each driver, identify errors or violations and determine the availability of equipment.
I think problem solving, decision making, customer service and active listening are important skills for a dispatcher to have.
I am a front-line worker. I sell business services to customers, organize distribution systems and also supervise and direct staff. I am the liaison between the customers, the company and the company drivers so I need to be a very good communicator.
I enjoy my job because it gives me many opportunities to solve puzzles, like planning and coordinating efficient transportation routes, or balancing weight throughout the trucks and trailers. A pro-active approach to dispatching can mean the difference between missed connections, just being delayed, or the load being left sitting on a shipping dock for an extended period of time.
I also need to keep up to date with laws and regulations to ensure that our goods are transported safely and within the legal limits.
The system does a great job helping me get everything done, but in the end, a human still needs to ensure that accurate and sensible plans, paperwork and deliveries are executed.
I studied Transportation and Logistics at Community College, and started with a transportation company as a Junior Fleet Coordinator. This provided me with the opportunities needed to learn additional dispatching techniques on-the-job. Many of my colleagues did not have formal training and learned on the job.
Professional driving experience is very helpful to a person who wants to become a dispatcher, but it is not required. Driving experience gives you insight into the operational side of the job, such as the things that need to happen in order to re-plan for a late load. There are always strict schedules and appointments to be kept in the transportation industry.
Not at all!
Being a dispatcher is a high paced job, being organized and able to multi task helps me manage the position. There is seldom any down time and you need to be alert and “on the ball” at all times. The good part is that the time goes by quickly so you don’t have time to watch the clock!
Wages start at around $36,000 per year and can progress up to around $50,000. The average is currently $43,000 per year.
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If you are considering a career as a truck and trailer mechanic, here’s your chance to ask some important questions. Scroll through the frequently asked questions and click on the ones you are curious about.
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Many community colleges offer a Heavy Duty Mechanic or Diesel Mechanic program. These are generally five year programs consisting of two years of classroom study and three years of on–the-job apprenticing. Some colleges also offer a one year Truck Trailer Technician program.
Classroom study provides you with the theory required to work with heavy equipment, and the on the job training provides you with the skills required to do the job.
You will be required to work with a trainer until you complete your apprenticeship. Shifts will likely be 8 to 12 hours long and evening and night shift work is common in larger operations.
At the beginning of your shift you will be assigned a vehicle to work on and receive information on the problem the driver is experiencing. You will work independently, running some diagnostics and troubleshooting the issues.
The Trainer is always available and supervises your work during your apprenticeship. Working together to solve a problem is a great way to learn from an experienced mechanic.
Overall, there is a lot of job satisfaction in this position because we work to solve problems and keep our customers, the drivers, happy.
Wages start at $14.00 per hour and go up to $27.00. The national average is $23.00 per hour.
A hands-on, details kind of person is a great characteristic to have in order to succeed and enjoy this type of work. You also have to like solving problems because you are always troubleshooting something.
Often you are working on a rig when someone comes in to talk with you about a completely different problem. Interruptions like this are common and in the end you will still need to complete the work on the truck you were working on. Ability to prioritize tasks and manage your time is crucial.
It really depends on the company. While most specialized tools and equipment are provided at the shop, some mechanics purchase their own tools, taking great pride in their personal collection. Tools and equipment can be expensive, costing several thousands of dollars, and may take years to gather. Some provincial governments offer grants and subsidy programs to help offset these costs. Consult with your provincial government to see if they have a program to help you.
Again, it depends on the company and the location. Most truck and trailer mechanics work in shops. Some work in mobile shops and go out in the field to repair vehicles that have broken down while on the road.
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If you are considering a career as a manager, here’s your chance to ask some important questions. Scroll through the frequently asked questions and click on the ones you are curious about.
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As a Manager, you will lead the operations of a department within a trucking company. You are a key person in the day-to-day operations. Two examples are operations managers and fleet managers.
Operations managers are responsible for making decisions about the equipment required to meet the needs of customers. They are also in charge of purchasing new vehicles, based on potential sales and customer requirements. In many organizations, the Operations Manager has direct responsibility over drivers as well.
A Fleet Manager is responsible for making sure that equipment is available when required including trucks, tractors, and various types of trailers. In addition, a Fleet Manager may also be responsible for ensuring appropriate licences are maintained for the fleet. Other responsibilities include keeping track of specialized equipment and ensuring it functions well.
Regardless of the department you manage you will need to be a strong leader, communicator, decision-maker and organizer. You’ll also require an excellent knowledge of the trucking industry and the economics of the trucking business.
I work primarily with my department and other members of the Management team. I also work on projects that have an impact across the company. We have regular project meetings and work with cross-functional project team. Working with other departments provides me with a better understanding of their successes and challenges in addition to identifying ways we can work together to streamline our procedures.
Wages start at $11.00 per hour and progress to around $34.00 per hour. The average rate is $20 per hour.
I use Microsoft Office applications like Excel, Access and Word all the time. We also have industry-specific software that I use for specific tasks such as inventory, asset, space, customer and manpower management.
I like it when I see my department running smoothly, safely and on time. It is rewarding to see my team working together to meet our goals.
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If you are considering a career as a safety specialist, here’s your chance to ask some important questions. Scroll through the frequently asked questions and click on the ones you are curious about.
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A Safety Specialist manages safety and compliance activities for companies. You will monitor, promote and enforce company and regulatory policies by managing programs linked to safety and inspection. This will require checking logbooks for hours of service, checking maintenance records and assisting workers to implement new procedures and strategies.
Safety Specialists require strong communication, organizational and analytical skills as the majority of the work involves writing reports, keeping accurate records and manipulating collected data to provide statistical information. They must have a solid understanding of the safety rules that regulate the trucking industry; this understanding is often obtained by prior work in other positions within the company.
I started out as a Professional Driver, but almost any transportation job can give you the industry experience you need to be an effective Safety Specialist. A combination of experience and on-the-job training and seminars help you become better qualified.
Yes, this role can prepare you for many senior level roles in the company. You could become a Safety Director or VP of Operations, the possibilities are limitless
Wages start at $50,000 and progress to around $100,000 per year. The current average salary is $78,000 per year.
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If you are considering a career as a parts technician, here’s your chance to ask some important questions. Scroll through the frequently asked questions and click on the ones you are curious about.
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I am responsible for ordering, storing and tracking all kinds of parts related to trucks and trailers. I have gained a considerable on the job training about the company trucks and trailers in order to do a better job planning, ordering and maintaining inventory records. I personally enjoy tinkering on all types of mechanical projects so, the extra energy I spend learning about truck parts comes naturally to me.
I also like working with people. This job gives me an opportunity to work with a team and we all seem to get a lot of job satisfaction from being well organized and helping our customers.
To succeed as a parts technician you must be organized, service oriented and have exceptional customer service skills.
To become a Parts Technician, most of your learning will take place on the job and be provided by your employer. Computer skills, problem-solving skills, mathematical skills, working well with your hands and understanding mechanics are also helpful.
It is also possible to become a Parts Technician apprentice. If you are interested in receiving your trade ticket to be a Parts Technician, your best bet is to contact your provincial apprenticeship office to learn more.
Currently I make $16 per hour. I started at $13.50 and worked my way up, through on the job training and my commitment to my apprenticeship. The national average is $19.
Yes, of course they do.
We have thousands of parts to track and we store them based on part numbers and their use. Despite our highly organized system sometimes a part gets misplaced. Often we are able to find the part in the bin beside where it is supposed to be.
Well, we use Microsoft office for a lot of things. We also have specialized inventory software we use to track parts, record information like parts available, parts on order, those being used and those already used. Our systems are all integrated and accounting details are updated as soon as we make changes in the parts department system.
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If you are considering a career as a parts technician, here’s your chance to ask some important questions. Scroll through the frequently asked questions and click on the ones you are curious about.
Don’t see what you’re wondering about? Send us a question using the form below and we’ll get back to you shortly with an answer.
The office environment is similar to what you would find in most office settings. It is fast paced and often you need to work under pressure with interruptions. Your tasks may be repetitive and you may be working on a number of different projects at the same time. Depending on the size of the company and layout of the office, you will have a workspace either in a cubicle or open area.
In transportation we have Accounting, Purchasing, Communications, Human Resources, Information Systems, and Logistics. Admin Services are necessary in all of these departments.
A diploma in Business Administration with a focus on accounting or management systems would be highly beneficial. These skills transfer easily from one industry to another.
Transportation offices are busy places and it is unlikely that you would become bored working here. Your core job would keep you busy, and additional projects are a regular part of business. Projects give people opportunities to grow both personally and in their career; they may pull you in and out of your comfort zone.
Hours of work are similar to most offices; we usually run from 8 am to 5 pm with some flexibility on start and stop times.
As you become more knowledgeable about the industry and your area of specialization, opportunities for advancement within the company may be possible. A key point to consider is that the transportation industry is well connected. Movement within and between organizations is the norm.
I started out at an entry level position and now work as a freight operations supervisor. After working at the company for a few months, I let my supervisor know that I was interested in getting experience in different departments. I asked if I could be considered if any openings
Wages start at minimum wage and can progress to around $29 per hour. The national average is $16.
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If you are considering a career as a professional driver, here’s your chance to ask some important questions. Scroll through the frequently asked questions and click on the ones you are curious about.
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I really enjoy the independence and opportunity to see new places.
The majority of my time is spent alone, with the exception of interacting with shipping and receiving clerks, and others I come into contact with along my route. Although I am on my own most of the time, when I need help there is always someone to assist me. My dispatcher typically communicates with me, via an electronic device on my truck. But we also speak by telephone from time to time.
The hardest thing about my job is balancing family and work.
I think most people struggle with this regardless of their career. It may be tougher for long hall drivers, because they are away from their families for longer periods, but options exist.
Prior to truck driving I worked away from home for several months at a time. Although I am still away while driving, I am able to see my family more often as my time away is shorter.There are also positions available as short haul or pickup and delivery drivers which require less time away from home.
Most of my day is spent driving. On a typical day I drive 650 to 950 kilometers, or around 8 to 11 hours per day. Some time is spent waiting to load and unload at the client’s location. Whatever I am doing, I always stay within the legal operational hours outlined in industry regulations.
You also spend time conducting pre and post trip inspections on the truck, fueling, carrying out basic maintenance and physical work like checking and securing your load. Depending on the client you may also be required to do light loading and unloading.
Due to a shortage of professional drivers in Canada, opportunities exist across the country. Obtaining employment should not be a problem if you have a clean driving record and experience. Transfers within companies are also possible as many companies have operations in different locations throughout the country. In some cases, it is possible to work out of different location than where you reside.
Most employers have a minimum requirement of a Class 1 license with airbrakes and graduation from a specific industry endorsed 12 week training course. You will also need to be able to be bonded, provide a clean Driver’s Abstract, Criminal Record Check and be willing to undergo pre-employment medical and drug testing.
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If you are considering a career as a warehouse worker, here’s your chance to ask some important questions. Scroll through the frequently asked questions and click on the ones you are curious about.
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We use equipment to move most loads, but we still have to do some jobs manually. It also involves a lot of walking, standing, stretching and twisting as you move loads around.
As a Warehouse Worker, you must ensure that freight is loaded onto trucks and trailers. You load and unload trailers and move and store freight, using equipment such as forklifts, dollies or carts. You may also manually handle some freight.
I enjoy doing a good job tracking inventory. It gives me a lot of personal satisfaction to know that I can find almost anything. Once I discovered a discrepancy on an item that was released to another location. When I tracked the load down, it was where I said it should be but was hidden by another load.
Those types of situations happen and it feels great to be able to rely on our tracking methods.
The hourly wages for a Warehouse Worker range from $13.00 to $23.00 per hour.
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