Trucking HR Canada’s latest Labour Market Information (LMI) snapshot for the first quarter of 2024 highlights the continued growth and evolving challenges in the trucking and logistics sector. As the industry expands, the demand for qualified truck drivers has never been greater, presenting both opportunities and challenges for employers and job seekers alike.
According to Trucking HR Canada, the total employment in the trucking and logistics sector reached 763,800 workers in Q1 2024. Although this represents a slight decrease of 1.5% from the previous quarter, it marks an increase of almost 51,000 employees compared to Q1 2023. The most significant growth was observed among transport truck drivers, with an additional 32,600 drivers employed in Q1 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
The overall labour supply in the sector, which includes both employed and unemployed workers, has been steadily increasing. In the first quarter of 2024, the total labour supply topped 807,000, reflecting an 8% increase from Q1 2023 and the addition of nearly 60,000 participants to the sector. This rise in labour supply is encouraging for employers who continue to face challenges in filling unfilled positions.
Despite the positive trends in labour supply, the trucking industry still faces a significant shortage of skilled drivers. The increase in unemployment among those actively seeking work in the sector – an additional 10,000 people compared to Q1 2023 – underscores the gap between job availability and the readiness of the workforce to meet these demands.
This shortage is a pressing concern, particularly as the industry braces for an influx of retirements and the need for a new generation of drivers to step up. Employers are looking for effective solutions to attract and retain skilled workers, and the data provided by Trucking HR Canada plays a crucial role in informing these strategies.
The actionable intelligence provided by Trucking HR Canada’s LMI reports is invaluable for making informed decisions. These reports offer critical insights into the supply and demand of labour, helping employers, workers, job seekers, policymakers, and educators navigate the challenges and opportunities within the sector. The LMI is prepared using customized data from Statistics Canada’s Census and Labour Force Survey, supplemented by qualitative and quantitative research directly from employers.
Trucking HR Canada produces quarterly labour market snapshots and special reports that address the industry’s HR challenges by providing relevant, accurate, timely, and actionable data. This information is crucial for developing effective recruitment and training strategies that can help bridge the gap between job availability and workforce readiness.
The trucking and logistics sector in Canada is at a critical juncture, with significant opportunities for growth but also substantial challenges due to labour shortages. The recent data from Trucking HR Canada underscores the need for immediate action to attract and train new drivers to sustain the industry’s momentum.
At Directpath Canada, we recognize the urgency of addressing the labour shortage in the trucking industry. As a leader in Global Recruitment, Immigration, and Settlement Services, we are committed to providing high-quality skilled workers to meet the demands of the Canadian market. Our company has been recognized for excellence in our services, having successfully placed hundreds of skilled workers across various industries, including trucking.
We understand the complexities of immigration and the importance of being represented by a qualified and licensed immigration consultant. Our team is dedicated to assisting individuals who wish to work in Canada as truck drivers, ensuring a smooth and efficient process for obtaining the necessary work permits and residency status. By leveraging our expertise, we help fill the labour gaps left by retiring tradespeople and support the continued growth of the trucking industry.
