Chauffeur

Chauffeurs may work exclusively for specific organizations or individuals, or work for companies that provide limousine services for special occasions such as business meetings, weddings, graduations, concerts and formal parties.

The primary responsibility of all chauffeurs is to operate passenger vehicles safely and efficiently. However, they also:

• pick up or meet passengers in response to dispatched calls or pre-arranged bookings
• help passengers board and leave limousines (for example, elderly or persons with disabilities)
• provide information about the local area
• collect payments from customers
• keep their limousines clean inside and out
• perform routine maintenance checks on their vehicles (for example, check tires, fluid levels).

Chauffeurs may work on call and only on a part-time basis, or they may drive full time exclusively for one employer. They spend most of their work time either driving or waiting for passengers. Chauffeurs often work nights and on weekends, and sometimes work shifts. They usually are required to wear suits or uniforms.

Lifting luggage and parcels weighing up to 20 kilograms, sometimes 25 kilograms, may be required.

Chauffeurs need the following characteristics:

• good communication skills
• integrity and the ability to be discreet (for example, keep confidential personal information overheard while driving)
• the ability to remain diplomatic and courteous even when dealing with difficult passengers
• a desire to maintain a neat personal appearance and keep their vehicles clean
• patience and self-discipline.

They should enjoy driving, taking a methodical approach to cleaning and servicing vehicles, and talking to people.

Above-average occupational growth is expected in Alberta for 2016 to 2020. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.

Most chauffeurs work for limousine or cab companies; some work for individual employers or are self-employed. There usually are opportunities for part time, on call work with limousine companies for chauffeurs who have good driving records.

Chauffeurs are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 7513: Taxi and limousine drivers and chauffeurs. In Alberta, 78% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Transportation and Warehousing (PDF)
• Retail Trade (PDF) 
• Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Leasing (PDF)

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Over 6,300 Albertans are employed in the Taxi and limousine drivers and chauffeurs occupational group. This group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.1% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 132 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As chauffeurs form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for chauffeurs.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.