Beyond the Wheel: Final Report for Industry (2012)

This report is part of a labour market information study initiated by the Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council (CTHRC) to help address current and future human resource requirements.
The trucking industry faces a number of challenges, including an aging workforce, and high turnover and vacancy rates. As well, it is a male-dominated field, with women making up only a small percentage of the workforce, particularly among drivers and mechanics.
At the same time, the trucking sector is expected to grow over the next ten years as the North American economy grows, increasing demand for the sector’s services.
The trucking sector must look for ways to lessen the gap between the demand and supply for its workforce, the authors note. Primary challenges facing the industry include attracting new workers; retaining the existing workforce; and looking closely at both existing and potential sources of workers to meet demand.
The challenges facing the trucking industry can be overcome through increased access to information, guidance, and initiatives to address these challenges.