Job prospects Short Haul Truck Driver in Nova Scotia

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Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "short haul truck driver" in Nova Scotia or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Nova Scotia

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 Nova Scotia for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
• Several positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Demand for transport truck drivers is strong and is expected to increase further as a large share of drivers reach retirement age during the next several years. The need for drivers is particularly acute in long-haul trucking due to the more challenging lifestyle associated with it. To increase the supply of workers, the trucking industry is drawing on underrepresented demographic groups and newcomers.

Despite the severe need for drivers, candidates who have little-to-no experience, or are under the age of 21, may struggle to find work due to insurance requirements and/or costs. Candidates must also be 21 years of age to cross the international border with the U.S.

Jobseekers may benefit from employer programs aimed to attract workers, such as subsidized tuition and productivity-based bonuses. The mobile nature of this occupation often allows transport drivers to live in the community of their choice. Given the strong need for workers in this occupation, applicants should have little trouble finding work.

Here are some key facts about Transport truck drivers in Nova Scotia:

• Approximately 6,900 people work in this occupation.
• Transport truck drivers mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Truck transportation (NAICS 484): 46%
  • Construction (NAICS 23): 14%
  • Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 8%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 94% compared to 82% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 6% compared to 18% for all occupations
• 60% of transport truck drivers work all year, while 40% 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 43 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
• 11% of transport truck drivers are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: more than 95% compared to 51% for all occupations
  • Women: less than 5% compared to 49% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 28% compared to 10% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 31% compared to 27% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 24% compared to 12% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 12% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 20% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Nova Scotia 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 "short haul truck driver" in Nova Scotia or across Canada.

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