Published: July 10th, 2006
The Chronicle Herald
TRUCK DRIVER
Seeing the world over the long haul
Description of the work
Truck drivers operate heavy trucks to transport goods and materials over urban, interurban, provincial and international routes. They must oversee all functions of the vehicle, such as condition of equipment, loading and unloading, and safety and security of cargo.
Skills/characteristics required
You should enjoy driving and be able to function under minimal supervision. You must be alert, responsible and self-motivated. An awareness of safety is important. You must also get along well with people, as drivers often deal directly with customers. For some jobs, you should be willing to drive over extended periods of time and long distances. Long-haul drivers, especially, must have good map-reading skills and remain calm when driving in unfamiliar territory and navigating through congested city traffic.
Employment requirements
Truck drivers must have a clean driving record with no alcohol violations.
To become a truck driver, you must be 19 years old and have had your driver's licence for two years.
A certified truck-driver training course offered by an accredited institution is highly recommended. Air brake endorsement may be required for truck drivers who operate vehicles equipped with air brakes.
Drivers of semi-trailers and tractor-trailers must have a Class 1 driver's licence and completion of a 12-week internship program. Drivers of tandem-axle straight trucks must have a Class 3 driver's licence.
Work prospects
Employment of truck drivers is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations over the next few years. Employment prospects are best for long-haul drivers. There are fewer opportunities for short-haul or straight truck drivers.
New safety regulations that limit drivers. daily work hours will likely result in job gains. A decline in air, sea and bus transportation in many areas of Nova Scotia has increased demand for this occupation. Planned improvements to Halifax.s port by the Halifax Port Authority may also increase demand for truckers in the coming years by increasing container ship activity.
The average age of truckers in the work force is about 42. Retirements are expected to contribute to job openings.
Labour Market Information
Size of the workforce in Nova Scotia: 7,160
Average annual number of job openings: 258
Estimated average earnings in 2005: $14 hourly
Where The Jobs Are
Annapolis Valley 20%
Cape Breton 12%
Halifax 29%
North Shore 24%
Southern Nova Scotia 15%
Ninety-six per cent of truck drivers work full time and about 12 per cent are self-employed. Less than two per cent of truck drivers are women.
Typical Jobs
Long-haul truck driver
Tow truck driver
Tractor-trailer driver
Truck driver
Quote:
"A good truck driver needs common sense and patience. Driving a large vehicle on the road is no job for a person who isn.t patient. You have to laugh it off when other people make mistakes. If you get angry or lose your patience, you can be a very dangerous person." - Alan Constantine, a 28-year truck driver with Armour Transport
Information:
Trucking Human Resource Sector Council website (www.thrsc.com).
On the Job is a weekly column looking at employment options in Nova Scotia.
Information on 300 occupations for Nova Scotians can be found at the Education D
epartment's Career Options website, novascotiacareeroptions.ca.
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