In every region of Canada, there is a historic labour deficit. The need for drivers has never been higher, even yet the trucking industry is one of the worst impacted. Are you thinking of moving to Canada as a truck driver? It might be preferable to immigrate right now.

In order to balance the worker-to-retiree ratio, Canada will welcome 465,000 new immigrants in 2023 and 485,000 new immigrants in 2024. We may anticipate 500,000 foreigners to enter the labour force and boost the Canadian economy starting in 2025.

Steps to become a Truck driver in Canada

• NOC and Employment Requirements
• Job Prospects in Provinces
• Immigration Programs
• Application Process

NOC and Employment Requirements

Ideally, you should wait to apply until you receive a job offer with the appropriate National Occupational Classification (NOC). Transport truck drivers belong under the NOC 2021 system’s TEER 3 category, which has the NOC code 73300. Here are a few comparable driving positions:

• TEER 3 – CODE 73301- Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators
• TEER 5 – CODE 75200 -Taxi and limousine drivers and chauffeurs
• TEER 5 – CODE 75201 -Delivery service drivers and door-to-door distributors

You must be aware of the prerequisites for your occupation in order to work in the Northern trucking sector. The following are the qualifications for truck drivers in Canada as listed by Canada Job Bank:

Qualifications

• You should have completed secondary school.
• You can expect to have on-the-job training.
• You should have completed a driving course of three months from a designated school or college.
• For a truck with a straight body, you may require a Class 3 or D license.
• For longer combination vehicles, you may require a Class 1 or A license.
• You may need to have an air brake endorsement: this allows the driver to operate vehicles with air brakes.
• You may be required to present a Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) certification if you’re going to transport hazardous, dangerous goods.
• Any other additional licensing may be required, depending on the type of truck.

As per Canada Job Bank, the table below represents the provinces in Canada that are regulating the truck driver occupation:

Please be aware that each province may have different standards, and your eligibility will depend on either your lack of the necessary abilities or the regulations of the jurisdiction. We suggest that you first determine whether the profession is regulated in the province of choice before applying.

Job Prospects in Provinces

In the end, you want to avoid settling in a province with few job chances in your industry. By doing the appropriate study on the provinces that are eager to fill the trucker labour market deficit, you may avoid this. When deciding to settle, you should also be aware of the province’s present social and economic climate.

We strongly suggest doing some more study on the programme requirements while you’re at it. Keep in mind that the applicant must satisfy both sets of requirements because the programme requirements and the employment requirements are two separate components.

Here are some job vacancies and salaries per province according to Indeed Canada:

Alberta

• 2,610 jobs
• Potential Annual Salary:$65,000–$95,000

Quebec

• 652 jobs
• Potential Annual Salary: $58,000-68,000

Ontario

• 5,163 jobs (including delivery drivers)
• Potential Annual Salary: $65,000-$105,000

Manitoba

• 597 jobs
• Potential Annual Salary: $55,000-$100,000

British Columbia

• 2,194 jobs
• Potential Annual Salary: From $80,000

*the above data is subject to change

Immigration Programs

You would have to choose a province or territory of your choice, or the province in which you have received your employment offer, assuming you meet the requirements for both the programme and the truck driver job you are applying for. The next thing you’d need to do is research the truck driving programmes that are offered.

Below are the available programs for truck drivers looking to live and work in Canada:

Express Entry

Truck drivers will be allowed to use the Express Entry System to petition for immigration beginning in November 2022. This online system is based on points and offers three immigration alternatives that are very adaptable to the different demands and situations of immigrants. The programmes included in the Express Entry system are listed below:

1. Canadian Experience Class
2. Federal Skilled Worker Program
3. Federal Skilled Trades Program

The most qualified individuals will be sent an Invitation To Apply (ITA) before they may submit a direct application to the Express Entry programmes because the system is point-based. Let’s look at how to use Express Entry to submit an application for the Provincial Nomination Program.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Immigrants who want to work as truck drivers in Canada must submit a Provincial Nomination Province (PNP) application and show they have the necessary education, training, and work experience. Your chances of being nominated for the PNP will rely on the province’s need for qualified workers since this programme is province-specific. Also, before making a choice, we implore candidates to confirm the existence of work opportunities.

Apply for the PNP as a Truck Driver under Express Entry – There are Two Options:

• Communicate with the province or territory whose nomination you are seeking under its Express Entry stream. The province or territory will suggest you if your skills match, and you should then construct an Express Entry profile, if you don’t already have one, to indicate that you have been nominated. Your account will be used to electronically submit the nomination.
• Set up an Express Entry profile in which you specify the provinces or territories from which you would like a nomination. Once you receive a notification of interest, you can apply to the province’s stream directly by getting in touch with them. Your account will be used to electronically submit the nomination.

Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

Employers in Canada can use the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)  initiative, which is employer-driven, to hire foreigners who can meet the region’s talent deficit. Employers are urged to first look locally in Canada for talent before looking abroad to meet the labour shortage. A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which demonstrates that your employer is permitted to hire an immigrant as a temporary foreign worker, may be necessary for foreign employees who are successful under this programme.

As we know this might be a lot to take in, we’ve made it possible for you to contact one of our Registered Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) for assistance while you navigate the immigration process.

Application Process

You have now confirmed your eligibility for the programme and position you are applying for. Now, regardless of the programme you select, follow the steps below to apply for your truck driver job:

•  Find Your NOC (truck drivers: NOC 73300)
•  Check Your Eligibility
•  Find a Job and Secure a Job Offer
• Know Which type of Work Permit is Required
• Gather all Supporting Documents and Fill in all Required Fields