Job prospects Truck Driver, Heavy Truck in New Brunswick

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Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "truck driver, heavy truck" in New Brunswick or across Canada.

Job opportunities in New Brunswick

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be good for Transport truck drivers (NOC 73300) in New Brunswick for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
• Several positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
• High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

• There is currently a shortage of workers in this field, with employers constantly seeking to fill vacant positions. The main challenges facing New Brunswick’s trucking industry are recruitment and retention. Industry has responded through incentives such as paid education and training, benefits, part-time and flexible schedules. The demand for truck drivers is particularly strong in Moncton, where economic growth has been more persistent than in the rest of the province, and Saint John, due to the need to transport goods from the city’s port facilities.
• No post-secondary education is required, as on-the job training is typically provided. Ability to perform minor truck maintenance is generally an asset. A clean record is also important as many companies will avoid hiring drivers who have recorded several accidents.
• Drivers will require a class 1 Motor Vehicle License, so an unrestricted Class 5 Motor Vehicle License is a prerequisite. Other licenses and certifications may be required, depending on the type of vehicle being driven and the cargo being transported. Commercial drivers may benefit from acquisition of a FAST Card/Pass from Canada Immigration Visa and Travel, which provides expedited U.S. Canada Border Crossing for commercial drivers who are predetermined to be low-risk Canadian citizens. Several employers consider this an asset and/or a requirement.
• Truck drivers typically work a 40 to 50 hour week (60 hours maximum), though the schedule would depend on the type of goods being transported and distance travelled. Some companies may specialize in one or more areas, such as cross-border transport. Drivers would be expected to operate in a variety of weather conditions.

Here are some key facts about Transport truck drivers in New Brunswick:

• Approximately 8,100 people work in this occupation.
• Transport truck drivers mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Truck transportation (NAICS 484): 53%
  • Construction (NAICS 23): 11%
  • Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 5%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 94% compared to 84% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 6% compared to 16% for all occupations
• 57% of transport truck drivers work all year, while 42% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 42 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
• 15% of transport truck drivers are self-employed compared to an average of 10% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: more than 95% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: less than 5% compared to 48% 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: 38% compared to 30% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 21% compared to 12% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 11% compared to 23% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 16% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in New Brunswick by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "truck driver, heavy truck" in New Brunswick or across Canada.

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