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You’re finally at the last step of getting your license: the driving test. While you must already be feeling confident after completing all your classes, new drivers still make small mistakes that keep them from passing the government test. Check out the most common ones, so you know what to avoid during your test.

Unsafe Vehicle

If you’re going to bring your own car, you are required to bring a safe vehicle under the ICBC guidelines. Before you start, the road test staff will be checking your windshield, seatbelts, lights, tires, and horns. They will be also checking for illegal modifications done. Make sure that there are no cracks or malfunctioning parts.

Rolling Stops

One of the biggest mistakes made is when the driver doesn’t make a complete stop during a stop line. What a lot of drivers do is slow down and watch for other cars before accelerating again. This practice is discouraged because it can be dangerous to pedestrians and cyclists. You have to make sure that there is no more forward momentum when you stop behind the line.

Improper Lane Changes

When switching lanes, new drivers make a lot of mistakes such as forgetting to signal or not checking their mirrors. Always check your blind spots and maintain speed when changing lanes. Another thing to remember is your road markings and which ones allow your change lanes.

Distracted Driving

Turn off your phone and keep the stereo low when taking your exam. Show your examiner that your full attention is on the road. One habit that shows you are being attentive is always checking your mirrors, even if there aren’t that many vehicles on the road.

Uncertainty at Four-Way Stops

A lot of new drivers get flustered or confused with what to do in a four-way stop. The best practice is to stop and observe the other driver’s actions. The right of way states that the first drive to arrive at the intersection gets to pass first. When you both arrive at the same time, the driver on the right goes first. However, remain alert and keep watch of the other drivers even when it’s your turn.

Parallel Parking

Even experienced drivers have a hard time with parallel parking, so always practice this one in your own free time. At the very least, make sure you don’t run over the curb or hit the cars around you. Don’t forget your signals when parking as well.

Driving Speed

Both driving too fast and too slow are common mistakes by students. Both of them can cause unsafe driving conditions, so be sure to keep track of your speedometer. Your safest bet is to drive just below the speed limit. It shows that you are confident but not reckless.

The truck driver shortage in Canada has reached an all-time high as reports reveal that job vacancies have more than doubled since 2016.

There is a shortage of 200,000 truck drivers, and it’s causing almost $3.1 billion-worth of lost revenue in 2018 says the trade association Trucking HR Canada. Job vacancies rose to 6.8 percent, which is more than double the national average of 3.3 percent. Particularly, long-haul drivers are taking the biggest hit with a 9.4 percent job vacancy rate.

An aging workforce is the most significant cause of this shortage as one in three workers are aged 60 or older. This leaves the industry vulnerable as workers will soon retire and not enough skilled workers are entering the workforce.

According to their data, roughly 300,000 truck drivers in Canada move approximately $850-billion worth of goods annually, including $550 billion in imports and $300 billion in exports. However, all these goods are and will continue to be disrupted as companies struggle to attract new workers. Coupled with the disruptions caused by the COVID-19, it could very well threaten the supply chain.

Finding the Appeal

Efforts to better promote this line of work are being done in social media. Emphasis on flexible schedules and work-life balance are being promoted in the hopes to ease the expected 20 percent increase of job vacancies in the following years. It’s primarily targeted for young drivers and women.

Currently, only 3.5 percent of truck drivers are women, even though they account for 42.8 percent of Canada’s overall labor force.

"We need to get the message out that trucking is changing," said Trucking HR Canada chief executive Angela Splinter.

Salary is one selling point that they hope to focus on. Professional truck drivers have an average salary of $67,500 a year, but it is often overshadowed by the cost of training and the “un-glamorous lifestyles.”

The transportation industry faces new challenges as the COVID-19 outbreak threatens to worsen the truck driver shortage in Canada and disrupt the country’s supply chain.

Between the US and Canada, trucks moved roughly CAD$750 billion of goods in 2019. However, the Canadian government is reviewing its border policies in response to the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the United States.

"We're not closing the door to any further steps but we will make those decisions based on what science tells us," said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

A Threat to Supply

Border restrictions could negatively impact the travel of trade goods, which is primarily handled by the trucking and logistics sector. Industry leaders stressed that it is important to maintain the supply chain, especially during a crisis such as an outbreak.

“Trucking and transportation are vital to getting medical and sanitation supplies and other emergency items, as well as food and water, delivered every day, in every single community in our province. The supply chain is critical during this very stressful and trying time,” said Chris Nash, President of the Alberta Motor Transport Association.

Slow Recovery

Presently, there is a 9.4 percent job vacancy rate for truck drivers, which is the highest it's been in years. The industry is already facing challenges in attracting new and younger drivers, and the health advisories concerning the COVID-19 can only make it worse.

The idea of crossing borders and being potentially exposed to infected areas can further discourage people from pursuing a career as a professional driver.

The logistics and transportation industry is one of the most important industries in any country as its workers are the ones who move essential goods across cities. It is a highly competitive market with a large demand for workers every year. If you’re interested in a lucrative and rewarding career in logistics, consider one of these jobs.

Supply Chain Manager

One of the most important jobs in the logistics industry is the supply chain manager. This person handles the entire operations, from mapping out shipments, production management, inventory, distribution, and more. Entry-level jobs can earn an average salary of around $61,000 a year, while a more experienced manager can earn as much as $120,000 a year.

Logistics Engineer

If you’re good with maths and science, a career as a logistics engineer can be perfect for you. Such an engineer uses technical knowledge to analyze data and improve the systems used in managing and distributing goods. The primary role of a logistics engineer is to ensure efficiency in all parts of the operation. You can expect an average salary of $60,000 a year.

Inventory Manager

For those who have a knack of keeping track of items, the role of an inventory manager is a perfect way to utilize your organizational skills. An inventory manager is in charge of tracking the inventory needs of a company and monitoring the prompt delivery and receipt of shipments. An entry-level position in this job receives around $36,294 a year.

Distribution Manager

The one who oversees the transportation, storage, and delivery of the products to the clients and customers is the distribution manager. This position’s main responsibilities include ensuring that shipments arrive at their destination and maintaining the quality of products. It’s a highly demanding job with equally high rewards as it has a starting salary of $50,000 a year.

Warehouse Operations Manager

The primary point person for product handling, developing and enforcing policy procedures, and shipping is the warehouse operations manager. Part of this manager’s duties involves training and orienting the staff as well as maintaining proper safety protocols. It has an average salary of $65,000 a year with the most experienced workers earning as much as $102,000 a year.

In 2020, the world was left unprepared for the emergence of the highly infectious disease, now known as the novel coronavirus or COVID-19. It’s a virus that causes mild to severe respiratory illnesses and, in worse cases, death.

COVID-19 poses a threat due to its high transmission rate, as it can transfer through droplets of bodily fluids and the act of coughing. Furthermore, it is recently seen that COVID-19 can survive on surfaces for as long as days if not cleaned.

Regularly disinfecting items or objects that come into contact with other people or public spaces is therefore important, and this includes your car and other forms of vehicles you own.

Cleanliness is key

The WHO advises that the best way to protect yourself is handwashing with soap then rubbing with alcohol frequently. Alongside distancing yourself from unnecessary social contact, cleanliness is your best bet to keeping COVID-19 free.

However, it is important to remember that the coronavirus can latch itself onto surfaces and survive there. What to do with your car then?

Car-washing is essential

Since a grocery or pharmacy trip cannot be avoided during these trying times, a transportation vehicle must also be diligently cleaned to ensure your health.

Cleaning a car is really simple but it must be done with utmost care. Use products like hand sanitizers, disinfectant wipes, and even soapy water to clean your car. Here is a guide to properly disinfecting a car:

Start with the essentials

The interior of your car is what you and whoever may ride with you comes touches the most. This means that microbes can easily transfer from a person to your car and vice versa. When cleaning the inside, it is important to pay attention to areas with the most points of contact such as the steering wheel, seats, seatbelts, rugs, and handles.

Don’t forget the dashboard

Cleaning your dashboard is something you cannot skip doing. The radio buttons, air-conditioner controls, and the flat surfaces may carry more than just dust. Carefully wipe through them with disinfectant wipes and don’t forget to sanitize your hands after, too!

Wash the outside

You cannot guarantee the cleanliness of the exterior of your car, especially if you’re going out. Someone with COVID-19 can easily contaminate it with a touch of their hands. Make sure to wash your car at least once a week. Use car soap and don’t forget to generously rinse it with water.

Cleanse items onboard

If you leave things like sunglasses, bottles of water, or maybe your kid’s toys inside your car then you should clean those things as well. Simply take some disinfectant tissues and start wiping them down one by one. Make sure to get every nook and cranny.  

Those who are altruistic and empathetic are often drawn to social work. Their willingness to help others propels them to enter this profession. Their patience, dependability, and drive set them apart from others. If you think you fit this bill, maybe it’s time to consider getting a degree and pursuing this career.

As a start, get acquainted with the different types of social work available to see what awaits you in the future. As humans are inherently social beings, social work can be found in almost all facets of life.

Here’s a list of the different types of social workers performing their duties in various fields:

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Work

Social workers in this field specialize in counselling individuals, groups, or communities that are struggling with grief and/or addiction. They aid in creating programmes and support structures that enable people to formulate their plans and achieve their goals.

Advocacy and Community Organization

Champions of social justice, advocacy and community social workers focus on building and/or organizing communities. They ensure the balance within the social circles while developing infrastructure and encouraging support.

Palliative Care and Hospice Care

Catering to specific needs of the ageing and sick,  Palliative Care and Hospice Care social workers focus on assisting the ageing and terminally ill through this difficult stage of life. They attend to the patients’ basic needs while allowing them to live with dignity and independence. They also give reassurance and comfort to the affected families.

Military and Veterans

Those who have experienced war tend to suffer from it, whether physically or mentally. Social workers who aid military personnel and veterans offer them comfort and provide ways to manage stress. Additionally, they help out with military families when someone is in active duty.

Child Welfare and School Social Work

Do you have the patience and innate kindness to courteously service strangers? Ever found yourself dealing with a tough customer and wanting to do better? Well then, perhaps a degree in hospitality is for you.

Hospitality is the practice of being warm, welcoming, and inviting to people, especially strangers. It is interlaced with several industries such as accommodations, food and beverage, travel, tourism, events, and sports and recreation.

Because of this, hospitality is one of the most flexible career options available. Your job opportunities can range from restaurant and hotel management to event coordination—there are multiple ways to go about it.

As there never seems to be a shortage of people who need some form of service, people in this lucrative industry will always have the means to earn up to six figures annually. Here are some top-earning hospitality jobs for you:

Casino Property General Manager

Being in this position means great responsibility. Casino Property General Managers oversee the whole operations of a casino, from the staff to the quality of the customer service. Thus, managers earn an average annual salary of USD 224,516 or approximately CAD 314,827.

Regional Chef

If you’re passionate about cooking then this might be the job for you. Regional chefs are put in charge of a restaurant chain’s menu across a whole region, meal presentation and portioning, and nutritional value of the meala. They also train other chefs who join their company. With their plates full, regional chefs earn an average of CAD 82,898 per year.

Head of Housekeeping

No establishment can be good if it’s not physically clean and aesthetically organized. Heads of housekeeping direct the daily operations of the housekeeping department of hotels, restaurants, casinos, or resorts. They ensure the quality of cleanliness of these places and make sure these are appropriately decorated and stocked with necessities. They can earn up to CAD 65,883 per year on average.

Hotel Manager

Similar to a Casino Property General Manager, Hotel Managers are responsible for the overall operations, staffing, training, customer service, and even marketing of a hotel. They uphold the standards of hospitality towards all guests. With the number of duties they must accomplish, hotel managers rake in around CAD 52,341 on average yearly.  

Chief Sommelier

People who have a love of wine and studying its intricacies would do great as chief sommeliers. This job entails a vast knowledge of different wines and their flavour combinations with meals. They only give customers wine recommendations but also educate people on the finer details of wine tasting. A ton of experience is usually required for this job so chief sommeliers receive a good average pay of CAD 45,781 in a year.

Restaurant Manager

Restaurant Managers are at the forefront of their workplace. They handle the hiring, training, and quality of their staff. These managers also make sure that their establishments always serve the best food paired with great waiters, making an amazing dining experience. Restaurant managers bank in a CAD 43,140 average yearly salary

Events Coordinator

Event coordinators put together activities for their clients. They manage everything from coordinating with the clients, outsourcing the necessary people and supplies, and arranging the flow of the event itself. This is a demanding job that requires good planning and perfect execution. You can earn CAD 42,922 per annum on average.

As Canada reached over 6,000 cases of COVID-19 cases, the government has advised everyone to stay at home and avoid non-essential travel. As a result, people have rushed to the supermarkets and left shelves empty. To keep the economy afloat and important necessities on hand, non-medical frontliners are working double-time. A part of these frontliners includes truck drivers.

Truck drivers have been classified as essential workers and allowed to continue travelling across provinces and territories. Normally, these drivers transport as much as 38.7 billion worth of goods each year.

“I made the decision, I haul groceries,” says a trucker from New Brunswick who continues to travel between Canada and the United States. He promised to go into isolation only after the country had recovered from the pandemic.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the sacrifice these professional drivers make as they try to maintain their own safety while keeping the supply chain running.

“We need to keep working to try and make sure we can continue to get these essential goods while people are continuing to take risks while people are continuing their essential work,” he says.

Professional drivers face increasing challenges during the pandemic as border controls become stricter and rest stops are harder to find. Fortunately, some companies offer free rooms and showers for drivers passing by.

“Everything is shutting down for us — no food, no showers,” laments one driver. “Some places are open for drive-thrus but a lot of places won’t let us walk through drive-thrus. Everybody wants their product delivered but they want to shut everything down on us.”

The Canadian Trucking Alliance as well as other transport groups ask that civilians take the time to thank a truck driver.