There is a demand for truck drivers in Canada as the industry faces a shortage due to an ageing workforce and rising demand for transportation. Hence, there has been more Canada truck driver visa sponsorship for foreigners in the recent past. So, If you are eyeing the expansive highways of Canada and contemplating a career behind the wheel, now might be the best time to seek truck driver jobs in Canada with visa sponsorship. However, if you are not sure what truck jobs are in demand, keep reading to find the answers you need.
High Paying Truck Driver Jobs in Canada With Visa
Drivers’ licences in Canada are grouped into different categories depending on the type of vehicle you are driving. The heaviest vehicles to drive fall under the class 1 category and the class 1 truck driver jobs Canada visa offers some of the most attractive salaries. Other categories follow suit up to class 7. However, it is important to note that this classification varies depending on the province or territory. It is the duty of the government of each region to decide which vehicle falls under what category. Nonetheless, below are some of the in-demand truck driver jobs that pay well.
Long Haul Truck Driver
Being a long haul truck driver in Canada means hitting the open road for extended periods, transporting goods across provinces or even borders. It’s a job that demands resilience and a love for the highway. You also need a long haul truck driver Canada visa to work in the country.
Short Haul Truck Driver
Short-haul truck drivers keep things local, navigating within specific regions for shorter distances. This job allows for more frequent stops and a better work-life balance compared to their long-haul counterparts. If you appreciate the changing scenery of your home province and prefer a driving routine that keeps you closer to home, short-haul truck driving might be your ideal gig.
Disposal Truck Driver
These truck drivers play a critical role in waste management, collecting and transporting garbage and recyclables. It’s a hands-on job contributing to environmental sustainability. From residential pick-ups to industrial waste removal, disposal truck drivers help keep communities clean and green.
Rock Truck Driver
Rock truck drivers work in construction and mining, transporting materials like gravel, sand, or rocks. Picture yourself manoeuvring through construction sites or quarries, hauling essential materials for various projects. It’s a job that requires precision, adaptability, and a love for working in dynamic environments where each load contributes to building something substantial.
Water Truck Driver
Water truck drivers play a crucial role in construction and dust control. Your task involves transporting and spraying water to manage dust levels on construction sites or roads. It’s a job where you literally lay down the groundwork for other construction activities, ensuring a smooth and dust-free environment.
Ready Mix Truck Operator
As a ready-mix truck operator, you become a key player in the construction industry, delivering freshly mixed concrete to job sites. Your cargo is time-sensitive, and your precision ensures that construction projects stay on schedule. It’s a hands-on role that contributes directly to the solid foundations of buildings and infrastructure projects. You’re not just transporting concrete; you’re delivering the building blocks of progress.
Tandem Dump Truck Driver
Another of the construction truck driver jobs in Canada with visa sponsorship is tandem dump truck drivers. They are pivotal in the construction and transportation of materials. Whether it’s hauling gravel, dirt, or debris, you play a critical role in the movement of construction materials. It’s a job that requires skilful handling of large loads and a knack for operating tandem axle trucks, contributing to the progress of construction projects across the country.
Tanker Truck Driver
Tanker truck drivers specialize in transporting liquids or gases, from fuel to chemicals. It’s a job that demands extra caution and often involves adhering to specific safety protocols. If you’re keen on ensuring the safe delivery of crucial liquids and have a penchant for precision, being a tanker truck driver lets you transport essential goods while keeping safety front and centre.
Delivery Truck Driver
Delivery truck drivers are the backbone of getting goods to businesses and consumers. From parcels to groceries, you’re the link between distribution centres and the final destination. It’s a role that demands efficiency, and excellent navigation skills, and often involves customer interactions. As a delivery truck driver, you bring smiles to doorsteps and keep the wheels of commerce turning.
Flatbed Truck Driver
Flatbed truck drivers are the unsung heroes of transporting oversized or unconventional cargo. From construction materials to machinery, your flatbed accommodates loads that don’t fit standard trailers. It’s a job that requires careful securing of diverse items and often involves collaborating closely with shippers and receivers.
Refrigerated Truck Driver
Also referred to as reefer drivers, these drivers play a vital role in transporting temperature-sensitive goods across Canada. It may be perishable items like fresh produce, pharmaceuticals, or other goods that require a controlled environment. The “reefer” in their trucks isn’t a slang term but short for refrigeration, showcasing the importance of maintaining precise temperatures during transit. Reefer drivers ensure that everything from ice cream to medicine arrives at its destination in top-notch condition. They navigate the highways while keeping things cool—literally.
Tow Truck Operator
These drivers are helpful on the roadside, stepping in to assist vehicles in distress. Whether it’s a breakdown, accident, or simply someone stranded with a flat tyre, tow truck operators come to the rescue. Their expertise lies not just in hooking up and towing vehicles, but also in providing roadside assistance and ensuring everyone’s safety.
Available Visa Sponsorship Programs for Truck Drivers
Your employer can sponsor your visa either via the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). These programs offer expedited work visa for Canada truck drivers.
- LMIA Work Permits: For an employer to sponsor you into the country, a body known as the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) usually assesses the impact of hiring foreign labour in Canada. If it finds that there are no Canadian citizens or permanent residents to fill a position, it issues a positive LMIA. This document allows the employer to hire you to work in the country. If it issues a negative LMIA, it means that there are Canadian citizens or permanent residents who can fill that position. Hene, you will not be offered a work permit for that job.
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program: The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) are responsible for overseeing this program. Employers looking for temporary workers can use the TFWP. With this, they can hire foreign labour to fill shortages in Canada’s labour force.
Becoming a Licenced Truck Driver in Canada as a Foreigner
Getting one of the truck driver jobs in Canada with visa sponsorship is not enough to set you on the roads of Canada. To be able to drive heavy trucks legally in the country, you need to obtain the necessary license. Here are some of the processes that you may need to undergo to be able to drive legally in the country.
Work Permit
In many provinces, you need to establish residency before being eligible for a driver’s license. However non-permanent residents, such as those on a work permit, are allowed to work in Canada. If you have a job offer as a truck driver, you will need to obtain a valid work permit from the Canadian government.
Foreign Driver’s License Recognition
The recognition of a foreign driver’s license depends on the province or territory where you plan to work. Some provinces have agreements or processes in place to recognize certain foreign driver’s licenses, while others may require additional testing or assessments.
International Driver’s Permit (IDP)
Obtaining an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) in your home country can be beneficial. An IDP is an official translation of your foreign driver’s license and may simplify the process of getting your license recognized in Canada.
Provincial Regulations
The rules and regulations for recognizing foreign driver’s licenses are under the jurisdiction of individual provinces and territories. Hence, different provinces have their own unique regulations. Contact the licensing authority in the specific province where you plan to reside and work for detailed information.
Temporary Permit or Validation
Some provinces may issue a temporary permit or provide a validation period during which you can drive using your foreign license while completing any necessary requirements for a Canadian license.
Driver Training or Testing
Depending on the province, you may need to undergo driver training, take a knowledge test, or complete a road test to obtain a Canadian driver’s license. The requirements can vary, so it’s crucial to check with the local licensing office.
Language Proficiency
In some provinces, proof of language proficiency in English or French may be required, as effective communication is crucial for road safety.
Conclusion
The available opportunities for truck driver jobs in Canada with visa sponsorship unveil a pathway to turn aspirations into reality. Beyond the hum of the engine and the rhythm of the road, these opportunities carry the promise of a fulfilling career on foreign soil. Even more, there are diverse types of truck jobs that you can apply to depending on your preference and you do not have to worry about a licence. The Canadian government in its magnanimity has made it easy for foreign drivers to gain employment, acquire the appropriate licence and drive in the country.
