The Saskatchewan Trucking Association is urging the provincial government to help reduce financial barriers for new drivers entering the trucking industry, as the average age of drivers continues to rise and fewer young people are taking the wheel.
The cost of obtaining a Class 1A driver’s license in Saskatchewan sits around $14,000. Students in 1A training programs are not eligible for student loans. A small tax rebate has been promised by the provincial government, but it has not yet been launched.
“We have been quite a few different times asking like SGI or asking other ministries to turn around and support some kind of funding like student loans, maybe add that in,” said George Henderson, Director of Operations & Member Services, Saskatchewan, with STA. “I guess that would be administrative continuing education, SGI, maybe some scholarships or whatnot for high school students so they could get into the trucking industry.”
Henderson said the association previously relied on the Canada-Sask Job Grant, which helped cover training costs, but it was paused late last year.
“There used to be the Canada, Canada-SASK Job Grant, but last December it was put on hold because they'd spent all the money that the federal government had put forward. And that's not just for truck drivers. They're getting a cost of 1 licence. That's also for other industries to turn around and get funding through employer-driven training. Right. But they'd pay up to 70 percent of a truck driver's training.”
He said many people simply cannot afford the tuition. “That $14,000 is unachievable for a lot of high school students or even, you know, young families to turn around and support them.”
Despite the cost, Henderson believes trucking is a strong career option. “It really does pay well. It's one of those. It's one of those occupations, its skill-based. Right. You don't have to like a like a trade generally has a science base to it and you have to spend, you know, three to four years going back. 121 and a half hours and you have your Class 1 license, and you can go start building that experience and drive.”
Long-haul drivers can see their salaries climb. “Driving things like long combination vehicles, so multiple trailers and a tractor. You take that down south. You're well over $100,000 a year range."
He also said the industry is adapting to younger workers’ needs. “The carriers understood. They certainly understand that there is a work-life balance with the generations that are coming up, like the Gen Zs and that kind of thing. So they're starting to make adjustments.”
Short-haul routes now offer more flexibility. “Short-haul opportunities are quite available.”
While some larger companies offer mentorships and internal training paths, smaller carriers often lack the resources.
Henderson encouraged anyone considering the industry to go for it. “If you can find the funds to get a Class 1 license, get into the industry. It's one of those industries where there's always a job for you, and like I say, you get more experience, you can change yourself and do more things.”
Despite the financial barriers to entry, Henderson said the trucking industry continues to offer solid opportunities for those who can get their foot in the door.
He noted that pay increases as drivers gain more experience and take on more advanced roles. “You start with something small,” he said, “but you know, somebody has to drive those big, massive buildings... up and down the highway.
For those who enjoy travel, it can also be a unique way to see North America. "I talked to a driver when I was at the dealership one time. He was getting his truck fixed, and he said he has a sister down in San Diego. And he would just get a load down to San Diego, leave the truck and trailer at the yard, rent a car, visit his sister for a week, and then come back. And most of the rest of us have to see if we got some room on our credit card to go on a nice hot vacation and get in the plane and all the rest of it.”
Henderson also pointed to lifestyle improvements for new drivers. “The carriers certainly understand that there is a work life balance with the generations that are coming up like the Gen Zs and that kind of thing. So, they're starting to make adjustments.”
He said that in some cases, drivers can work shorter routes and be home more often. “You very well could get into working for a company that you drive six hours or eight hours a day, or 10 hours a day, and you're back home. So, you might go to Maple Creek, swap truck and trailer and come back.”
He said government support is essential to keep goods moving across the province.
“We just hope that we, you know, the STA can do enough to, you know, get the government to recognize that there is a problem and there needs to be a solution to this. Because, you know, 90 percent of all items, all items, not even even, you know, products that we ship out or sell or whatever, but items in the province are moved by a truck.”