Jack Fielding and Truck Driver

North America: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson MONTREAL - After 40 years as a truck driver, Jack Fielding says it easier to name the places in North America where he hasn't been than the ones he has, according to Brandon Sun. And after driving five million kilometres, the 57 year-old still enjoys the freedom of the road. "For the most part, there nobody looking over my shoulder telling me what to do," says Fielding, who hails from McKellar, Ont. "I have an assignment and I'm left to do it at my own pace and how I think it should be done." But as Fielding and thousands like him near retirement age, the industry is struggling to recruit young people who share his enthusiasm for the job. Gauthier, a former truck driver, is working on behalf of Quebec trucking association to encourage more women and girls to consider careers as truck drivers. This means the industry is facing a looming labour shortage that could reach 48,000 drivers by 2024, according to the Canadian Trucking Alliance. There are multiple reasons for the looming shortage, but many believe the lifestyle simply isn't attractive to a younger generation. The average age of a truck driver is over 47 — up from 45 in 2013 — and almost 30 per cent of the driving force is 55 or over, which makes it one of the oldest workforces in Canada, according to the organization president. "Tens of thousands of them are nearing retirement and we're not getting anywhere near our commensurate share of new drivers into the business," says David Bradley. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.