Fixing the Truck-Driver Shortage
Demographics, lifestyle and pay issues keep young workers from taking to the road.
Feb 28, 2019
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - More than 70% of goods in the United States are delivered by freight truck, but the trucking industry is suffering an ongoing truck-driver shortage. But there may be ways to fix that, according to Thomasnet.com.
Industry insiders recognize three major challenges impacting the driver shortage and see possible ways to help resolve them.
Demographics: More than two-thirds of the 3.5 million U.S. truck drivers are white males, while 38% are minorities. Only 6% of drivers are female. Plus, most of the drivers are older. The average driver is 49 years old, which is seven years older than the average age of workers in other industries. As truckers retire, it's difficult to replace them with younger employees. Trucking companies can improve diversity and help offset the driver shortage by enticing younger millennials to pursue careers in trucking.
Lifestyle: Despite those country-western ballads celebrating the life of a road warrior, a trucker's life isn’t easy. They spend hundreds of hours on the road and cover thousands of miles, which keeps them away from home for long periods. And the hours can be inconvenient, such as driving overnight to make an early morning delivery. That’s not typically an attractive option for millennials, who want a healthy work-life balance. It’s possible to make the job more appealing by offering flexible driving schedules. Even though most assignments won’t be as easy as having a 9-to-5 job, more flexibility could entice millennials to enter the field.
Pay: Truck driving can be a lucrative career, but only if the driver gets regular work and is paid for the work they do. Most truckers earn money by the mile, so the pay can vary significantly. This lack of income security discourages many applicants. Switching to an hourly pay scale or a minimum guaranteed paycheck for each pay period could provide better financial security.
A paycheck is great, but only if it also comes with medical benefits, a 401k, or a pension. If the workload and pay are comparable, younger drivers will likely choose a company that provides benefits over one that doesn't.
If the trucking industry changes its image enough to entice new drivers to join the workforce, it may be able to resolve the current driver shortage and keep the country moving forward, the article concluded.
