Posted on May 8, 2023
As the trucker shortage deepens, some groups are trying to make it easier to become a driver
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The trucking industry is estimated to have a shortage of nearly 80,000 drivers. While the problem is expected to get worse before it gets better, industry groups are trying to pave the way for more people to get a commercial driver’s license.
The Ottawa Cooperative Association, which moves grain and fertilizer in eastern Kansas, lost many of its truck drivers during the pandemic.
“COVID really kind of kicked the baby boomers out, which they drove trucks, a lot of 'em did,” said Judd Perry, the fuel manager, “and now that we had such a huge exodus of them, there's just nobody to replace 'em.
The American Trucking Association estimates that the shortage of drivers, which was around 78,000 in 2022, will likely double by 2031. It also says that the industry will need to recruit around 1.2 million drivers to replace retirees, but one of the barriers to hiring new drivers is the cost of training, which can be up to $7,000.
The Ottawa Cooperative Association, which moves grain and fertilizer in eastern Kansas, lost many of its truck drivers during the pandemic.
“COVID really kind of kicked the baby boomers out, which they drove trucks, a lot of 'em did,” said Judd Perry, the fuel manager, “and now that we had such a huge exodus of them, there's just nobody to replace 'em.
The American Trucking Association estimates that the shortage of drivers, which was around 78,000 in 2022, will likely double by 2031. It also says that the industry will need to recruit around 1.2 million drivers to replace retirees, but one of the barriers to hiring new drivers is the cost of training, which can be up to $7,000.
As the trucker shortage deepens, some groups are trying to make it easier to become a driver
Posted from kcur.org
Trucks
Driving
Jobs
Employment
Posted >1 y ago
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As long as the driver...1. can handle the equipment properly and 2. understands and is willing to follow the rules.
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They need to tap in to some of those that were MOS qualified with the military shipmate PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
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I have wondered if the industry has thought of splitting the field into two segments. Long Haul over the Road and Day Drivers where the Day Drivers were limited to Zero Hazardous Materials, less than a 8 hour shift, and trips of less than 200 miles or something like that. The Day Drivers would possibly need less training and a different pay scale but it may make it easier to get people who don't want to commit to being away from home for extended periods of time.
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