This is a big year for Canada celebrating its150th Birthday. Festivities started back in January and have been building in momentum ever since. If you are new to Canada or are just experiencing the celebrations for the first time then you have picked a good year to be involved. There will be no shortage of celebrations to be involved with and we have much to celebrate. We have a great history, we have a beautiful country from one end to the other and our nation is made up of people from every corner of the World. We are a diverse nation with a big heart making it a great place to live.

It is also a great place to work especially in the trucking industry. Many don’t understand the development of the trucking industry and the importance of it to the country. I started driving back in the 1980’s and the industry was a very different place. We had no log books, little regulation, and a low status as to the professionalism of the driver. It was much like the wild west for truck driving. If you couldn’t do anything else you became a truck driver.

Today the industry has changed drastically. Safety has improved drastically although there can always be improvement in this area. Driver professionalism has been strongly redefined and continues to improve with programs like Mandatory Entry Level Training. Carriers continue to look for top talent as regulations demand more professionalism from the industry. I believe the professionalism of the industry will continue to climb as the industry improves over time. We are on the road to making truck driving a “skilled profession” much like a trade position such as plumbing, carpentry, or other trades.

Why should you be excited to get into the trucking industry?

The transportation industry offers a lot of opportunities to those wanting stable employment, career growth, and independence in their job. Many of my colleagues have similar paths to my own. They started as a truck driver at the beginning of their career and now have moved into positions in recruiting, safety, management, insurance, truck sales, and many other areas of the industry. They have good careers that have lasted a lifetime and continue to have the transportation industry open opportunities as the industry develops with new technology and programs.

There are many benefits to being part of this industry even if you decide to stay in the driver’s seat for your whole career. Drivers make good money for those willing to learn and dedicate themselves to the professionalism of the industry. Those that continue to improve, keep learning better ways to do things, and working for good carriers will build a career they can be proud to be in. What other industry allows you to have a corner office with a large window that will allow you to meet other great Canadians and see some of the most majestic landscapes in the World?

The key to a good career in this industry is to be open to new opportunities and enjoy the job you have. There are long hours and many areas for improvement but overall transportation is a great place to build a career that will last a lifetime with many benefits that other industries can’t offer. I encourage you to take a serious look at this industry and see the benefits it has to offer. A good place to start that process is with the Smart Trucker Seminar Series. Our next seminar is Tuesday September 12th, 2017 at 5:00pm. You can learn more and register at www.roadtoday.com/smarttrucker.

About the Author

Bruce Outridge is a speaker / consultant with over 30 years experience in the transportation industry. He is the host of The Lead Pedal Podcast for drivers ( www.theleadpedalpodcast.com), author of the books Running By The Mile, and Driven to Drive, and is a trainer and consultant for the industry. You can learn more about Bruce and his work at www.bruceoutridge.com