Reasons Why Trucking is a Good Second Career

In 1959, our late founder Vernon Erb decided to quit his job on his parent's farm and invested in his passion for trucking. This was the beginning of his career change and The Erb Group's foundations. Viola, his wife and number one supporter, also decided to change her career from working at the University of Waterloo to becoming our very first bookkeeper.

Trucking has not always had a glamorous exterior and is not a one-size-fits-all profession. We believe the beauty of our industry is in its complexity and diversity; therefore, there is a place for everyone. If you or someone you know has been thinking about a career change, we've highlighted the top four reasons why choosing trucking as a second career can positively influence your personal, professional, and financial lives.

Job Security

Trucking doesn't always come to mind while planning the transition to a path that accommodates a more liberating lifestyle. However, as the refrigerated trucking industry is growing more essential, so does the demand for transporting perishable goods and the need for drivers to deliver. 

According to a 2022 Global Refrigerated Goods Trucking Market report, the refrigerated goods market size is anticipated to grow from $56.01 billion in 2021 to $62.47 billion in 2022. It is then expected to grow to $92.38 billion in 2026. The rise in demand for refrigerated trucking nearly guarantees a spot for you in a truck. From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are proud to say that we kept our drivers driving and continued to put food on your families' tables. The goods we transport are and always will be in high demand, providing job security to our drivers and relief to our customers. 

Flexible Lifestyle

Flexibility can mean various things and can make or break a job experience. Although the roads are straight and narrow, trucking offers many accommodations to make our drivers feel supported. First, let's address the ability to live or move anywhere you like. With terminals along highways and flexibility in picking your routes, you have the freedom to live wherever and work whenever, giving you more time to prioritize your health, yourself, and your family.

At The Erb Group, we take flexibility seriously by posting new jobs internally before we list them externally, offering our employees easy transitions into new positions if they want more experience or a lifestyle change. That being said, as a trucker, the 10 AM morning meeting no longer exists because every day is different, and no road or city is the same.

Independence

In trucking, we celebrate independence. While you are still relying on the help of dispatchers, mechanics and other individuals connected to the transportation process during a driving job, you are entirely independent and relying on yourself as a resource for most of your trip. Such independence is not found in an office and is often why individuals seek a more self-sufficient job while remaining on a payroll.

Additionally, many different driving positions like our Cross Border role allow you to have increased independence on the road for days at a time or short-haul trips that ensure drivers return home every night. Amrit Nijjar, a truck driver from our Toronto Terminal, has shown us how to balance family and the independence of being a trucker while showing up to both roles with equal eagerness to get the job done. 

Added Value 

When selecting a second career, we tend to be more focused on happiness and work-life balance. We prioritize a culture of caring and empathy with our employees to drive success in ways that our competitors can't acquire. In recognizing that the 9 to 5 is no longer a fulfilling work-life balance, we understand the value of creating a lifestyle that personally suits you and your family.

If you're interested in joining us for the long haul, check out our job board to get frequent updates on the latest openings for driving et non-driving positions at The Erb Group! We're here to help you make your next cool move!