Canada’s New Express Entry Occupation Draws To Target Truck Drivers

Canada’s new draws aimed at specific occupations via its flagship Express Entry system will target truck drivers.

Canada’s trucking industry has a chronic shortage of drivers.

The federal government has responded by including the job as one of the 82 to be targeted by new Express Entry draws.

Candidates need at least six months of continuous work experience in Canada or abroad within the past three years to qualify.

Immigration Minister Sean Fraser has engaged in consultations across Canada when deciding which jobs should be included in the new draws.


Read More Canada Immigration News

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Canada Express Entry To Begin Occupation-Based Draws Targeting 82 Jobs
A Step-by-Step Guide To Employing a Truck Driver from Overseas in Canada


Are you an employer looking to hire foreign workers in Canada? Immigration.ca can help through its sister company, skilledworker.com. We provide a comprehensive recruitment package to help you identify and hire the best individuals from abroad. Contact us now.


Truck driver, under National Occupational Classification 73300, is one of 10 occupations in the transport field to be included.

Opportunities for Internationally-Trained Truck Drivers in Canada

Here are some of the opportunities in Canada for internationally-trained truck drivers:

1. Long-Haul Truck Driving

Long-haul truck driving involves transporting goods over long distances, often across different provinces or even across the Canada-U.S. border. This role offers several advantages:

Lucrative compensation: Long-haul truck driving typically offers higher pay rates compared to other driving positions, considering the extended hours spent on the road and the distance covered.

Travel and exploration: International truck drivers can embrace the opportunity to explore the vast Canadian landscape while transporting goods to various destinations.

Cultural exchange: Interacting with people from different regions and experiencing diverse cultures can be a rewarding aspect of long-haul truck driving.


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2. Local/Regional Truck Driving

If long periods away from home aren’t your cup of tea, local or regional truck driving might be the perfect fit. This type of driving involves shorter routes within a specific city, metropolitan area, or province. Consider the following benefits:

Home every night: Local or regional truck driving allows you to return home daily, offering a better work-life balance and the ability to spend time with loved ones.

Familiarity with routes: Over time, you’ll become well-acquainted with the local roads, traffic patterns, and delivery locations, making your job more efficient.

Predictable schedules: Local or regional truck driving often follows fixed schedules, allowing for better planning and personal commitments.


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3. Freight Delivery and Specialized Hauling

Freight delivery and specialized hauling cater to niche market segments and require specific skills and expertise. Here are a few areas where internationally-trained truck drivers can find unique opportunities:

Temperature-controlled transport: Companies in the food industry require drivers skilled in handling temperature-sensitive cargo, ensuring the freshness and quality of perishable goods.

Hazardous materials (Hazmat) transport: Truck drivers with specialized training and certifications can transport hazardous materials safely, following strict regulations and protocols.

Oversized load transport: Hauling oversized oroverweight loads, such as construction equipment or modular buildings, requires drivers with experience in handling and securing large, unconventional cargo.

4. Owner-Operator Opportunities

For truck drivers looking to take control of their own destiny, becoming an owner-operator can be an enticing option. By owning and operating your own truck, you can enjoy the following advantages:

  • Increased earnings potential: As an owner-operator, you have the opportunity to negotiate higher rates and keep a larger portion of the profits.
  • Flexibility and independence: You have the freedom to choose your own routes, work schedules, and clients, allowing for greater work-life balance and autonomy.
  • Business ownership: Owning your own trucking business opens up avenues for expansion, establishing partnerships, and potentially employing other drivers.

5. Driver Training and Certification Programs

If you’re an internationally-trained truck driver seeking to work in Canada, it’s crucial to understand the country’s licensing requirements and undergo the necessary training and certification. Here’s an overview:

  • Recognize your foreign credentials: Research the requirements for transferring your international driver’s license to a Canadian equivalent. Provincial and territorial regulations may vary, so ensure you comply with the specific guidelines of your intended province.
  • Enroll in a driver training program: If your international license is not recognized or requires further validation, consider enrolling in a Canadian truck driver training program. These programs offer comprehensive training, familiarize you with local regulations, and help you gain the necessary skills to excel in the Canadian trucking industry.
  • Obtain the appropriate licenses: Once you’ve completed the training program, you’ll need to obtain the necessary licenses and endorsements required by your intended province. This may include a Class 1 or Class A license for operating commercial vehicles.

Full List Of Occupations To Be Targeted Under New Express Entry Draws

1. Healthcare

Occupation 2021 NOC code 2021 TEER category
Audiologists and speech language pathologists 31112 1
Chiropractors 31201 1
Dentists 31110 1
Dieticians and nutritionists 31121 1
Education counsellors 41320 1
General practitioners and family physicians 31102 1
Instructors of persons with disabilities 42203 2
Kinesiologists and other professional occupation in therapy and assessment 31204 1
Licensed practical nurses 32101 2
Massage therapists 32201 2
Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations 33101 3
Medical laboratory technologists 32120 2
Medical radiation technologists 32121 2
Medical sonographers 32122 2
Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates 33102 3
Nurse practitioners 31302 1
Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors 31300 1
Occupational therapists 31203 1
Optometrists 31111 1
Other assisting occupations in support of health services 33109 3
Other practitioners of natural healing 32209 2
Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating 31209 1
Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment 32109 2
Paramedical occupations 32102 2
Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants 33103 3
Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals 31303 1
Physiotherapists 31202 1
Psychologists 31200 1
Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses 31301 1
Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists 32103 2
Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine 31100 1
Specialists in surgery 31101 1
Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies 41301 1
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists 32200 2
Veterinarians 31103 1

 

2. STEM

Occupation 2021 NOC code 2021 TEER category
Architects 21200 1
Architecture and science managers 20011 0
Business systems specialists 21221 1
Civil Engineers 21300 1
Computer and information systems managers 20012 0
Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) 21311 1
Computer systems developers and programmers 21230 1
Cybersecurity specialists 21220 1
Data scientists 21211 1
Database analysts and data administrators 21223 1
Electrical and electronics engineers 21310 1
Engineering managers 20010 0
Industrial and manufacturing engineers 21321 1
Information systems specialists 21222 1
Land surveyors 21203 1
Landscape Architects 21201 1
Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries 21210 1
Metallurgical and materials engineers 21322 1
Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers 41400 1
Software developers and programmers 21232 1
Software engineers and designers 21231 1
Urban and land use planners 21202 1
Web designers 21233 1
Web developers and programmers 21234 1

 

3. Trades

Occupation 2021 NOC code 2021 TEER category
Residential and commercial installers and servicers 73200 3
Elevator constructors and mechanics 72406 2
Machine fitters 72405 2
Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics 72402 2
Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics 72400 2
Carpenters 72310 2
Plumbers 72300 2
Electricians (except industrial and power system) 72200 2
Welders and related machine operators 72106 2
Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers 72014 2

 

4. Transport

Occupation 2021 NOC code 2021 TEER category
Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors 93200 3
Transport truck drivers 73300 3
Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators 72604 2
Engineer officers, water transport 72603 2
Deck officers, water transport 72602 2
Air traffic controllers and related occupations 72601 2
Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors 72600 2
Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors 72404 2
Railway carmen/women 72403 2
Managers in transportation 70020 0

 

5. Agriculture and Agri-Food

Occupation 2021 NOC code 2021 TEER category
Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services 82031 2
Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors 82030 2
Butchers- retail and wholesale 63201 3
Colin Singer

Colin Singer is an international acclaimed Canadian immigration lawyer and founder of immigration.ca featured on Wikipedia. Colin Singer is also founding director of the Canadian Citizenship & Immigration Resource Center (CCIRC) Inc. He served as an Associate Editor of ‘Immigration Law Reporter’, the pre-eminent immigration law publication in Canada. He previously served as an executive member of the Canadian Bar Association’s Quebec and National Immigration Law Sections and is currently a member of the Canadian Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Colin has twice appeared as an expert witness before Canada’s House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. He is frequently recognized as a recommended authority at national conferences sponsored by government and non-government organizations on matters affecting Canada’s immigration and human resource industries. Since 2009, Colin has been a Governor of the Quebec Bar Foundation a non-profit organization committed to the advancement of the profession, and became a lifetime member in 2018.

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