As Canada faces a huge labor shortage, now is the perfect time to start fresh as a truck driver in Canada. Whether you are already holding truck driving experience or you have a good driving record looking for a job that pays well while you travel, Canada is helping make this move possible for many foreign nationals. Labor surveys and experts have expressed that there are thousands of truck driver job vacancies which is affecting the country’s supply chain of goods. In some provinces like Manitoba, there are 5,000 transport truck driver job vacancies and are urgently giving eligible candidates the chance to immigrate to fulfill these jobs. Truck drivers are just one category of 1 million job vacancies country-wide.
Truck Driver Requirements in Canada
Transport Truck Drivers – NOC 7511 (Soon to be 73300)
As truck driver requirements may vary depending on the province, employer, or position, the standard requirements usually needed country-wide include:
- Completion of secondary school
- On-the-job-training which is usually provided
- Completion of an accredited driver training course of up to three months duration, through a vocational school or community college, may be required
- A Class 3 or D license is required to drive straight-body trucks
- A Class 1 or A license is required to drive long combination vehicles
- Air brake endorsement (Z) is required for drivers who operate vehicles equipped with air brakes
- Transportation of dangerous goods (TDG) certification is required for drivers who transport hazardous products or dangerous goods
- Additional licensing endorsement or certification may be required to drive articulated trucks
Benefits of Being a Truck Driver in Canada
There are a few benefits that are worth highlighting when becoming a truck driver in Canada. These benefits include:
- Good Salary – The average salary for a truck driver in Canada is $46k a year which is considered great pay for an entry-level job with the possibility of raises.
- Insurance – Depending on the employer, you may recieve extra insurance coverage.
- Paid Vacation – Taking time off without it affecting your pay is always a plus!
- Job Security – Truck drivers are in high demand and will be for a while so once you’ve secured a job and you do it right, you won’t be going anywhere!
- Travel While Your Work – Many enjoy sightseeing so driving countrywide while you work allows you to travel and get paid at the same time!
How To Immigrate to Canada As A Truck Driver
Express Entry
Express Entry is Canada’s biggest and most popular immigration pathway for all kinds of skilled workers seeking Canada PR. The Express Entry pool ranks candidates who may be eligible to gain Canada PR through a number of factors like age, work experience, education, language proficiency, plus more. The IRCC will proactively assess, recruit, and select candidates who meet the right criteria under 3 different economic programs which include:
As of 2022, applying through Express Entry as a truck driver is new due to the NOC Codes update that was announced in 2021. It was announced that these new eligible NOC codes will be implemented in late 2022.
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Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Provincial Nominee Programs often referred to as PNPs are technically a branch out from Express Entry as these applications are usually managed and processed in the same system. Applying for a PNP nomination means you are entering a specific pool where that province or territory can nominate you and grant you Canada PR to fill their specific labor shortages. This is the perfect pathway for any foreign skilled workers that have an idea of which province or territory they want to settle in. Making this simple decision can really advance you in the immigration process as it’s usually quicker and gives you 600 additional points towards your Express Entry CRS score.
Temporary Foreign Worker Permit (TFWP)
Obtaining a Temporary Foreign Work Permit (TFWP) gives you a temporary status but also gives you the opportunity to gain Canada PR in the future. The LMIA process is best for those who can walk side by side with a potential employer in Canada. In the perfect TFWP scenario, you connect to an employer through an online job search and interview process, that employer is either already LMIA certified or is willing to become LMIA certified, and then they petition you for the work permit. Once you’ve gained enough Canadian work experience, there’s a great chance you are eligible for the Canadian Experience Class to gain Canada PR.
Interested in Immigrating to Canada as a Truck Driver?
If so, Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals, and consultants who work for VisaPlace Legal, an award-winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.
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