Demand for truck drivers to spike over next few years, says study

Over the next several years, ( encompassing 2003-2008), economic growth and attrition will require an infusion of nearly 224, 000 qualified commercial drivers in the trucking industry.

According to a study conducted for the Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council (with funding from industry groups including OTA), this translates into an annual average of 37,317 drivers.

In Ontario alone, 89,560 commercial drivers will be needed for 2003-2008, nearly 15,000 new drivers during each of those years.

"These numbers are rather staggering and clearly point to the major challenge the industry is going to have in keeping up to the demand for freight in the future. If the study estimates are even half-way right, we are still talking some very big numbers," says OTA President, David Bradley.

Other Study Highlights include estimates that roughly two-thirds of the forecasted drivers need will require a Class “A” commercial driver’s licence (qualified to drive tractor-trailer units). In 2001, 40% of employees in transportation were 45 years or older compared to 34% for all other industries. And 13% of employees in trucking were 55 or older – compared to 11% in all other industries. This means transportation will lose employees to retirement faster than most other industries.

The study also shows that between 1991 and 2001, younger drivers between the ages of 20 and 24 have become increasingly under-represented when compared to other employed Canadians. In 1991, more than 9% of drivers were between 20 and 24. By 2001, the number was cut in half to around 4%, while those in the same age group employed in other occupations remained at above 9%.

The findings come from an in depth study of Canadian drivers, fleets and industry associations. The study is entitled Profile of Driver Shortage, Driver Turnover and Future Demand Estimates.