Trucking industry still struggles to recruit drivers

It’s no secret, the trucking industry is facing challenges in hiring new drivers. According to a recent story on National Public Radio, this shortage of employees is nothing new, and in fact has been a problem for about the last 15 years. The Great Recession helped mask the difficult situation as the demand for shipping goods slowed significantly from 2008 until about 2011, but even then the need was there.

Trucking is a solid career choice that offers a competitive salary and many benefits. And while the reasons new drivers are difficult to find remain somewhat elusive, there’s comfort in knowing the industry isn’t alone.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the industries who will see the greatest hiring challenge through 2026 include computer operators, tellers, postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators, as well as many different facets of manufacturing.

At first glance, these industries don’t seem to have much in common within one another, nor do they with trucking. But upon reexamination, there is a shared element. Each of these industries is facing disruption and transition, largely due to the impact of various technologies from the internet, digital communications, robotics — and autonomous vehicles as well.

When battling the impression that these industries are “dying,” employers need to reassure potential hires that “transition” does not equate to “death.” We will always need our news to be written, our products to be made, and our goods to be shipped to our doors. While the precise roles humans play in these functions may change with time, humans will always be an essential component of the job. And trucking is no different.