Drivers are at front and center of Jobs Expo
TORONTO, Ont. – Bigger and better. That is what the organizers say about next weekend’s Roads Today-Truck News Jobs Expo in Mississauga, Ont.
The event, which is aimed at meeting the hiring needs of Canada’s growing trucking industry, will be held Sept. 14 at the International Centre.
It is being organized by Newcom South Asian Media Co., a division of Newcom Media, the publisher of Truck News.
“The Jobs Expo has become the most sought-after hiring event for employers as well as job seekers serving the trucking and logistics sector,” said Manan Gupta, general manager of Newcom South Asian Media.
“With a galaxy of industry leading companies in attendance looking to fill jobs, there will be ample opportunities to learn, network and get hired as well.”
The show builds on the success of the inaugural expo held in September 2018 and the spring edition in April 2019, Gupta said.
Nearly 100 exhibitors will be in attendance, representing Canada’s best-known fleets and service providers from allied sectors.
Once again, the focus of the job fair will be on drivers.
The North American trucking industry is reeling under a severe shortage of drivers. In Canada, the sector is estimated to face a deficit of close to 50,000 drivers by the end of 2024.
In the U.S., driver shortage rose to 60,800 last year, up nearly 20% from 50,700 in 2017, according to the American Trucking Associations.
The group has warned that the shortage could hit 100,000 in five years and 160,000 by 2028.
“In today’s scenario with extreme driver shortage, I would rather say qualified drivers’ shortage, job expos like the RTTN are of much help,” said Neha Bhatia, a recruiter at SGT Transport.
The Brampton, Ont.-based company has been participating in the show since its inception.
“It would again be a great platform for companies to connect with the qualified workforce and vice versa,” said Bhatia.
Trucking HR Canada, which promotes collaboration among the stakeholders in the trucking industry, will also be back at the show.
“We participate in the Jobs Expo as we find it is a great opportunity to connect with industry employers and future employees alike,” said Angela Splinter, CEO of Trucking HR Canada.
The Ministry of Transportation as well as the Ontario Provincial Police will also participate.
Admission and parking are free.
Have your say
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I have had my AZ license for four years and driving vans is my DREAM JOB. I live in Kitchener ON and am willing to be taken on a new driver and be trained by a competent veteran driver.
I have driven for two companies for a short time and it was a positive driving experience. However, I struggled with backing so toward the end of 2019 I took four retraining sessions at my own expense. My fifth one was scheduled for January but it was canceled because of an overbooking issue.
And then Covid 19 showed up.
So, here I am. I am still considered a new driver, I’m very trainable and have had recent backing instruction.
I am also a 60-year-old female, (keep reading)…. bright, healthy, easy to work and a pleasant face to represent your company.
I am a non-drinker, non-smoker, no recreational drugs, and clean living.
I don’t need to be home on weekends, and like night driving.
I have a FAST card.
I would be happy to team drive out to the Canadian West and have no issue with traveling in the US.
At no cost to your company, I would be happy to ride along with drivers (male or female) a time or two, who would be willing to help me learn the e-logs and information flow.
The delay in beginning my career was the illness, my care for, and the death of my mother and then managing her estate details.
Shortly after that, a granddaughter died.
(yes, a very bad five years overall.)
I have a good 10 driving years left in me.
I would be pleased to hear from employers within about 30 minutes of Kitchener
Sue Umbach
226 792 4103
I am a CDL driver me and my wife wants to join a team with Expo driving thank you
I have attended job expo in the past and, Trucking Co have not changed anything significant in terms of pay, home time, pension plan and benefits. Mostly, same old, same old. The pay scale does not reflect the enormous responsibility of a truck driver. The trucking industry has been ignoring the the facts and consequently missed the boat long ago and the current state of driver shortage is proof of that.