Can’t find job? Think trucks
According to today’s report in CNN, the U.S. trucking industry will need to hire about 200,000 drivers by the end of this year, and will need to add another 200,000 by the end of 2011.
The report cites the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals and cites retirements, tougher safety regulations as primary factors behind truck driver shortage. The report also says, the industry will have to rely on the drivers who were laid-off during the recession.
Experts say in the next year or two, trucking companies are likely to continue to experience shortage of qualified professionals even despite with continued high unemployment
Average income of a trucker varies within $37,730 but it is supposed to grow as hiring companies will be trying to fill vacant positions.
During the recession the inflow of job applications to trucking companies increased significantly as laid-off truckers and construction workers applied for jobs, which was unusual for the industry. However, as the economy picks up that surplus of applicants has started to wane.
With the expected 4% to 6% growth in freight traffic for trucks the demand for truck drivers will only grow. Add to this the number of retirees and you’ll get over 1 million new drivers that have to come to the industry in the next 15 years.
