By Rich Cowan, Staff Writer

Canada’s trucking and logistics sector, along with many other industries, is at a turning point. It is currently facing something of a critical challenge: who will fill its workforce needs in the years to come?

On April 22, Trucking HR Canada conducted a timely webinar, discussing the value of student work placements to the industry. The webinar was hosted by Laurie Drukier, SCMP, who was joined by her guest, Siobhain O’Gorman, Manager of Stakeholder Relations, Trucking HR Canada. Throughout the event, there was much valuable information shared about workforce solutions in trucking.

There will be another webinar presented by Trucking HR on May 27, entitled, “Women’s Leadership Accord: Lead the way for women in trucking.” Webinars can be found at April-May webinars – Trucking HR Canada

With an aging workforce, evolving skill demands, and increasing competition for talent, employers are finding that they are forced to rethink how they attract and retain workers. One solution gaining notice is the Student Work Placement Program, an initiative that is changing how companies are supplying their talent needs.

As O’Gorman puts it, “It’s a good time for programs like the student replacement program to help supplement the aging workforce.”

The scale of the challenge

O’Gorman explains that Canada’s trucking and logistics sector employs more than 780,000 workers, including approximately 330,000 drivers. Maintaining and replacing such a large workforce is proving to be quite a challenge to the industry.

Operations, human resources (HR), logistics coordination, information technology (IT), accounting, and warehouse management all play critical roles, along with the drivers. These are the primary areas where the talent gap is widening.

Perhaps most concerning is the demographic shift. A significant percentage of the workforce is approaching retirement age, while only a small fraction of workers are entering the industry early in their careers.

O’Gorman notes, “Most of our workforce is age 55 and older, while only approximately 10% of the labour force in the trucking industry is age 25 years or younger.”

Without a deliberate action plan, the industry risks losing decades of experience without a new generation ready to step in and learn from the older.

A misunderstood industry

For many students, trucking and logistics are not initially viewed as a career option. Information and experience can make a difference to this perception. As O’Gorman puts it, “It might not come top of mind to some students, but after the student workplace program, they consider it a great industry.”

This gap between perception and reality represents a missed opportunity. The industry offers diverse, well-paying, and tech-driven careers, but students don’t discover that until they experience it firsthand.

That’s where structured work placement programs can provide assistance.

The value of early exposure

The Student Work Placement Program is designed to bring about awareness of the possibilities of working in the industry, while offering immediate value to employers.

The program helps to connect post-secondary students with employers for meaningful, paid work experiences that are in line with their area of study. These opportunities offer students real opportunities to experience the industry hands-on. The impact is evident:

“More than 80% of our employers have told us that they would consider hiring the students for future employment.” O’Gorman explains, “With 99% stating the offering of the work placements benefited their company.”

From an employer’s perspective, that’s an exceptionally high return on investment. Meanwhile, from a student’s perspective, it can open the door to a fulfilling career. She goes on, “Students overwhelmingly tell us that their placement has helped clarify their career path, making them feel better prepared to find a job after graduation.”

Immediate value and long-term impact

What makes the program particularly compelling is its dual benefit: it solves short-term problems while supplying long-term capacity.

Employers frequently report three key advantages:

1. Immediate support during busy periods,
2. Fresh perspectives and new ideas, and
3. A direct pipeline to future hires.

O’Gorman explains the situation, “These are students coming in doing real work and providing real value.” The students help address workforce shortages, contribute to ongoing projects, and bring technological understanding and creativity that can sometimes be missing in the current situation.

At the same time, employers are using this program to essentially conduct extended interviews.

O’Gorman explains the value, “You’ve already vetted them, you’ve already seen how they work. By the time they graduate, they’re ready for full-time employment.”

In a competitive hiring market, that early access to potential workers is significant.

Variety in opportunities

A common misconception is that trucking careers are limited to driving. The industry actually offers a wide range of professional opportunities, many of which directly align with post-secondary programs.

The Student Work Placement Program supports roles in:

• Human resources,
• IT and systems management,
• Accounting and finance,
• Logistics and supply chain, and
• Warehouse and distribution operations.

These increasingly complex roles effectively keep the industry running. The demand for skilled professionals in these areas is only growing.

Accessibility for employers

The program has grown and flourished, largely due to is its simplicity and the added benefit of financial support. O’Gorman describes that Employers can receive up to 50% of a student’s wages, capped at $5,000 per term. This significantly lowers the risk, especially for small and mid-sized companies. The application process is intentionally streamlined.

She points out, “As long as you have a job description ready to go, you don’t need to have the actual student hired to get approval for funding.”

In fact, the flexibility is a key selling point. Employers can plan ahead, secure funding, and then begin to recruit candidates with confidence. The administrative process is also fairly simple. O’Gorman explains, “If you have the job description ready, you could probably complete an application within 15 minutes. The portal is user-friendly and easy to navigate.”

This accessibility is tremendously helpful to busy companies.

A common misconception is that trucking careers are limited to driving. The industry actually offers a wide range of professional opportunities, many of which directly align with post-secondary programs.

Education connections

A substantial benefit of the program is that it has the ability to connect employers with post-secondary institutions. Many companies find it difficult to build relationships with colleges and universities, let alone navigate co-op systems or recruitment channels. The program helps with bridging that gap.

“The link with post-secondary institutions is one of the things that we do that’s most valuable. Companies get immediate access.” This creates a continuous pipeline of talent, rather than a one-time hiring opportunity. Over time, these relationships can evolve into deeper partnerships, which can include curriculum input, ongoing recruitment, and research collaboration.

Meaningful work experiences

One of the requirements of the program is that placements must be related to a student’s area of study through a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) framework. This ensures that the experience is not only beneficial for the employer but also educationally relevant for the student. O’Gorman points out, “There needs to be an alignment between what they’re learning at school and what they’re doing in the position.”

This structure assures the quality of placements and ensures that students are developing transferable skills. It also reinforces the industry’s credibility as a serious career choice.

Who can participate?

While traditional trucking companies are the most obvious participants of the program, it also includes:

• Fleet management software providers,
• Engineering firms,
• Heavy-duty towing companies, and
• Industries such as oil and gas.

The primary requirement is a proven connection to trucking and logistics.

Closing the skills gap

The Student Work Placement Program is more than simply a hiring tool. It’s a strategic workforce solution, addressing multiple challenges such as:

• Aging workforce,
• Talent shortages,
• Lack of industry awareness, and
• Competition for skilled workers.

It does so in a way that benefits both employers and students.

As the industry evolves, the need for proactive workforce strategies will only grow. Reactive hiring is no longer a viable option. Programs such as this offer a blueprint for sustainable talent development.

The road ahead

The trucking and logistics sector is essential to Canada’s economy. Its future depends on people.

Not just drivers, but planners, analysts, technicians, and coordinators. Not just experienced professionals, but students who are just beginning to explore their career options.

The opportunity is clear: engage early, invest in talent, and build relationships that last beyond a single placement.

As Drukier noted, “It can help you build that talent pipeline, and help you beat the competition by getting first access to the students.”

This type of advantage is essential in the challenging labour market of today and into the future.