For many of the largest trucking companies in this country, reducing turnover and retaining truckers is a primary ingredient in staying profitable. The job market for professional truck drivers is the tightest in 20 years, with the turnover rate at large trucking companies exceeding 100%, according to the American Trucking Association.
Recent statistics indicate that the long-haul segment of the trucking industry has a national shortage of 20,000 drivers. It predicts the shortage will increase to 111,000 by 2014 given current population trends. A severe driver shortage could hurt the US economy. Trucks carry more than 75% of the domestic goods we consume on a daily basis, and without enough well-trained truckers to transport the country’s goods, consumers will be subject to unexpected delays in the items they want and need. And if the supply/demand relationship continues to result in continued shortages, the compensation will continue to rise to find and keep good trucking talent. As a result, we will all see higher prices on everything we buy.
The trucking industry admits it has a critical problem and has focused on new and creative recruiting strategies to raise the levels of CDL truck driver applicants and recruit new people into the industry that keeps our national economy moving. . To meet the increased demand for CDL truck driving jobs, trucking companies and truck driving schools are appealing to demographic groups, such as women, retirees, and husband-and-wife teams, who have traditionally not fit the stereotype of truck driver. Women are perhaps the fastest growing group in the field. Since 2002, when only 5% of the country’s truck driving jobs were held by women, most of the nationally known truck driving schools are experiencing a 50% growth rate in the number of female applicants. compared to men applying for the same positions.
Another niche employment group that is being tapped to fill part of the truck driver shortage gap is ex-factory workers. There are now 2.7 million fewer jobs in the US manufacturing sector than there were 10 years ago. With factories expected to hire few in the coming years, many former workers are looking for a new career. Truck driving jobs give these often displaced workers the opportunity to start a new and productive career.
Many times, people with the ability to retire from careers of 20 to 25 years in the manufacturing industry often take advantage of financial assistance programs offered by the government. The bottom line is that the government provides dislocated workers with free school tuition and CDL training opportunities. This is a golden job pool for trucking companies, as many of these new recruits are dependable, trustworthy, and often in very good health.
Minorities have also become a favorite recruiting target for trucking companies. Well-structured programs are producing good results. A recent training program sponsored by a Latino community organization tracked their results and found that 70% of the 50 students who attended these classes found CDL truck driving jobs with an average annual compensation of $47,580.
Good luck in your truck driver job search. Be patient, persistent, expect good results, and you will see positive results much sooner than you think!