Manitoba's transport trucking industry is facing labour shortages
A new report predicts that Manitoba will see consistent job growth over the next few years; however, there are many industries and sectors that will face labour shortages, including the trucking industry.
On Friday, the Manitoba government released the Labour Market Outlook report for 2022 to 2026, which shows that the overall labour supply is about equal to labour market demand. The data also shows that employers in many sectors will continue to face challenges due to labour gaps and shortages.
One sector that is facing these shortages is the transport trucking industry, which has an expected annual labour gap of 470 workers.
According to Aaron Dolyniuk, executive director of the Manitoba Trucking Association, this shortage is fueled by a growing economy and truck drivers opting to leave or retire from the field.
“The report outlines that there are net openings over the next four years of 4,300 people,” he said in an interview with CTV Morning Live on Monday.
Dolyniuk said he’s unsure why young people are not wanting to work in the industry, but it’s something his organization is working on.
“I would say in some ways it’s the perfect storm coming out of the pandemic,” he said.
“It was really challenging for a while to be a truck driver. Having washroom access, having access to restaurants for a while was a problem. I think a lot of people took the opportunity to say, ‘Okay, I’m moving on.’”
Going forward, Dolyniuk would like to see a provincial and national strategy to deal with this issue, as the trucking sector impacts every other industry.
“We’re moving the goods that every other industry needs, so it’s something that we need to take seriously,” he said, noting that the trucking industry brings $4 billion to Manitoba’s GDP.
Dolyniuk said trucking industry labour shortages aren’t specific to Manitoba, but are also being seen across Canada and in the United States as well.
- With files from CTV News' Rachel Lagace.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.