For the migrant who is looking for the excitement of the big city, and wants to live in one of the largest culture centers in the world, London may be the ideal destination. For the migrant who wants a more intimate, neighborly way of life where the pace is decidedly slower, then the smaller towns or even rural areas will beckon. There is a place in the UK that will suit the desires of almost anyone.
One of the skilled labour categories that is welcoming foreign-trained migrants is truck driving. Operators are needed not only to transport typical goods, but to move hazardous or dangerous goods as well. Trucking is one of the industries in Canada that is experiencing abundant vacancies due to retirements, with fewer qualified replacements for those who are exiting the labour force.
Truckers may work locally or they may be long haul drives with moving companies, grocery transport companies, or gasoline tankers, to name a few. With housing booms across the country, jobs with companies that transport building supplies from foundation goods to roofing materials are plentiful. However, not all truck drivers carry cargo. Also in the truck driving category are bus drivers and subway operators.
The trucking industry is highly regulated, and truckers must have proper qualifications. These requirements will vary according to the type of transport and type of truck, but all must answer to governmental regulations regarding the different types of licenses, or certain types of certificates that are needed, depending on the nature of the cargo. Training is often on-the-job, but there are also truck driving schools to teach the particulars. The majority of truckers are male, with approximately 2% of truckers being women. Most employers require a high-school diploma, and most truckers work full time.
Some of the skills required on many of the trucking jobs include:
- Able to evaluate the condition of the vehicle
- Able to drive the vehicle safely and skilfully
- Understand the capabilities and limitations of the vehicle
- Have a working knowledge of road safety and laws regarding operation of a commercial truck on the roads
- Understand vehicle safety, including the safe handling of contents, its loading, and its unloading
- Able to do the necessary bookkeeping in regard to essential records for fuel consumption, miles traveled, expenses incurred, and any other data the employer requires
There are more truck drivers in Alberta and Prince Edward Island than anywhere else in Canada, although qualified truck drivers are in high demand everywhere. The average hourly wages for truck driving are between $16 and $18, with fluctuations between companies and according to area standards.
A peripheral but essential occupation to truck driving is the truck and heavy-equipment mechanical field. Mechanics make the repairs needed to keep the drivers and their trucks safely on the road. This parallel need for mechanics goes along with the need for truck drivers, supplying further jobs for foreigners who have these specialized skills.