The high level of skill required to be a truck driver has never been formally recognized, says Trucking HR Canada, which has released job ads it says can help clarify what it takes to be a trucker.
The Canadian trucking industry wants truck drivers to be recognized for the skills they bring to the job. However, Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) code – which groups more than 40,000 occupations into one of four skill levels – only lists truck drivers as “low-skilled”, says Trucking HR Canada.
“Changing this classification begins with your job descriptions and career ads. We know it takes a lot of skill and training both in-school and on-the-job to become a professional driver; however, this is not always reflected in job ads, training programs, and industry practice. Every time a recruiter says no education required or no experience necessary, it implies the job is easier than it actually is,” says Angela Splinter, CEO of Trucking HR Canada.
Employers can change this situation, she adds. The Canadian government makes structural changes to NOC codes every 10 years, and researchers are now reviewing job descriptions and career ads to identify the skills the trucking industry currently requires. The way jobs are described today demonstrates actual hiring needs.
Trucking HR Canada has developed a series of tools that can be downloaded free from their website (https://www.truckinghr.com/en/content/describe-deliver). The tools include how to build an effective job description and ad. All tools are based on the recently developed National Occupational Standard (NOS) for Commercial Vehicle Operators (Truck Drivers).
More accurate job ads can help change perceptions about the driver occupation in our industry, and the level of skill at which they are recognized. In addition, it will help trucking companies attract and retain the qualified drivers they require in order to continue efficient and productive operations.