Demand for Truck Drivers is Increasing

There’s a shortage of drivers in the trucking industry, according to the American Trucking Association. 30,000 drivers short in fact. Higher turnover rate, coupled with an aging driver population has companies revamping their compensation structure and finding ways to try and appeal to a younger demographic. So what’s the reason behind the shortage? With the financial crisis of 2008, many truck drivers were laid off and many independent contractors couldn’t afford payments on their equipment. This caused drivers to look for other work, work that typically allowed them to be home every night with their families. According to an Business Insider’s interview with Gretchen Jackson of Con-Way Truckload, these drivers realized how much they enjoyed not being on the road for 2-3 weeks at a time.

Companies such as Swift Transportation are hoping to recruit new drivers into the workforce by investing in them, spending more than $14.2 million dollars to increase driver’s salaries, wages and benefits. With regulations constantly changing and training always needed, these employers are also willing to make sure that the drivers they are hiring are up to date with their education. A large part of this education is going over Department of Transportation regulations and policies, making sure the employees understand what applies to them as drivers.