If there’s one issue trucking and logistics employers agree on right now, it’s this: workforce pressures aren’t easing.

An aging workforce remains one of the sector’s most pressing challenges, and the need to attract younger workers has not changed. The opportunity is clear — trucking and logistics offers meaningful, stable careers — not just behind the wheel, but across every part of a modern, fast-moving supply chain.

Our research shows that once youth start working in the sector, they often enjoy it and choose to stay. The real challenge is getting them in the door. Careers in trucking and logistics aren’t always top of mind for students when they’re exploring options, and without exposure to our workplaces, they may never realize just how many opportunities exist.

That’s where Trucking HR Canada comes in. Through our Career ExpressWay program, we help employers create meaningful, paid student work placements by offering financial incentives that lower costs and make it easier to hire and onboard emerging talent.

These placements aren’t just a good deed — they’re a practical workforce strategy that helps you reduce risk, strengthen your team, and build the talent pipeline your business will need in the years ahead.

At a time when youth unemployment remains an ongoing concern in Canada, research continues to show that wage incentives play an important role in helping employers create opportunities for young Canadians. Student work placements are a win-win: employers gain access to capable, motivated students, while students gain real experience, industry connections, and a clearer pathway into the labour market.

And students deliver real value. In our research, more than 80% of employers praised student hires for bringing creativity, knowledge, and skills into the workplace. Even more telling, 90% of employers reported being satisfied or very satisfied with student performance, and 82% said they would consider hiring their student again in the future.

Here are five ways student work placements can benefit your bottom line and support the long-term success of our sector:

Offset wage costs while building skills

Eligible employers can access wage subsidies through the Student Work Placement stream, lowering the upfront cost of bringing new workers into the organization. This makes it easier to invest in training and mentorship, while getting meaningful contributions to your day-to-day operations.

Reduce hiring risk

Student work placements function as structured, subsidized paid trial periods, allowing employers to assess skills, work ethic, and fit of employees before making long-term hiring decisions. This approach helps you make more informed hiring choices and can reduce early turnover — particularly in roles that require sector-specific knowledge.

Train talent to your operational needs

When you hire a student, you can train them on your own systems, processes, technologies, and compliance requirements, rather than relying on generic or post-hire training. Students who transition into permanent roles are often able to contribute more quickly because they already understand how your organization operates.

Strengthen succession planning

With many experienced workers approaching retirement, student placements provide a way to build a future-ready talent pipeline, particularly in non-driving roles such as safety, HR, logistics, compliance, and fleet operations. This helps you prepare for workforce transitions in a more deliberate and sustainable way.

Improve retention through early engagement

Individuals who begin their careers through work placements become trained and ready for permanent roles. They have clear expectations and established workplace relationships, which means they have stronger engagement with your organization — which can lead to better retention.

A practical workforce investment

Since 2021, Trucking HR Canada has disbursed more than $8 million across the country, supporting more than 250 employers and work opportunities and placing 1,670 students in meaningful roles that contribute directly to organizational success.

Student work placements are more than a short-term staffing solution — they’re a practical, cost-effective way to build your future workforce while reducing hiring risk today. If you’re ready to strengthen your talent pipeline and bring emerging talent into your team, learn more about THRC’s Student Work Placement stream.

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