People in oil and gas transportation services occupations are employed by contractors in the oil and gas industry. Some self-employed operators work for drilling companies or other operators who own their own equipment.
New hires generally start as swampers (helpers) and, after they earn the appropriate driver’s licenses, advance to operator positions. Depending on the size and nature of the company, experienced operators may move into supervisory positions.
Oil and gas transportation services are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 7511: Transport truck drivers. In Alberta, 79% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation is 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 (when people leave existing positions)
- Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
- Size of the occupation
In Alberta, the 7511: Transport truck drivers occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.3% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 585 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.