Industry officials look to recruit new truck drivers

With the number of open truck driving jobs in the United States, industry officials are looking for new ways to make the profession seem more desirable for job seekers, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Driving a truck is a viable employment option for many individuals, as all knowledge and skills a driver will need to stay safe and healthy on-the-road can be acquired by enrolling in truck driving classes. The starting salary for a long-haul truck driver is between $38,000 and $44,000 a year, and new recruits can expect that this salary will increase significantly as they gain more experience. For these reasons, the position remains accessible to individuals across the country as the industry looks to fill the demand for drivers.

"It's an opportunity for a lot of people," Bob Costello, vice president of the American Trucking Associations, told the source. "You don't need a college education. You need to be a safety-conscious, hard-working individual."

A recent American Trucking Associations report showed that the industry is currently looking to fill between 20,000 and 25,000 driving jobs. If trends continue in this fashion, officials believe the shortage could grow to more than 239,000 over the next ten years.

To help with recruitment and making trucking a more desirable occupation, TravelCenters of America and other truck stop operators are investing in new infrastructure to provide options for drivers on-the-road. New drivers will be able to reap the benefits of new jogging trails, gyms, private showers and healthier menus popping up across the country.

Industry officials look to recruit new truck drivers

Wednesday, December 12th, 2012