Trucking industry in need of workers in N.B.

Job seekers lined up outside the door at the Crowne Plaza in MonctononWednesday to attend a trucking industry job fair.

The event was organized becausethe trucking industry has more jobs than it can fill. That's despite the fact10 per cent of NewBrunswickersareunemployed,

Drivers in short supply

Truck drivers are in short supply, according to Kelly Henderson of Trucking Human Resources, but she's not sure what's keeping trucking employers and job seekers from connecting.

"There's maybe an impression or perception of the industry that in my opinion, I don't think is accurate," said Henderson."It's a place where people would want to be and should want to be and they can make a good living with that."

Dale Ritchie, chair of the Southeast Industry Education Council, believes people don't knowabout the jobs available.

"I think it's just a matter of awareness and that's the purpose of this job fair today," he said."People maybe don't look at that as a career, but the industry has changed."

Diversity needed

One of those changes is in diversity, according to Henderson.

In Canada, women only make up three per centof drivers and two per cent of mechanics. "We're working on that, the industry is working on that," Henderson said. "There's definitely opportunity to come in for women."

Ayman Kouk is a Syrian refugee who attended the fair in order to resume work in the industry.Koukworked as a truck driver in his native Syria, in Lebanon, andin Turkey.

He's passed the mechanical test as well as his written exam, so all that's left is his road test.

Speaking through his interpreter Moaud Farai,Kouk said he's met some interested employers already.

"When I finish my road test I will contact them and start working in September, maybe."

Speaking about driving in Canadian winter conditions, Kouksaid, "I lived in Turkey before, the place I used to live had a lot of snow, so it's similar."