We could have a shortage of 330,000 drivers by 2024. As of 2021, the American Trucking Association says we need another 80,00 truck drivers to reach a steady level of drivers in the US. This new development has been brewing for some time and is already affecting the global supply chain. With fewer drivers on the road, fewer shipments are being made on time, and this halt is causing national shortages of products in every sector. In a previous article, we discussed how rising diesel prices are responsible for a supply chain hold up, and this issue is only compounded by a lack of drivers.
Why is this shortage occurring, and what can we do in the industry to fix it? Unfortunately, there is no one solution to this problem. Many factors are responsible for this issue:
The Demographic of the Current Workforce The current workforce on average is at the age of 55, close to retiring. Without younger drivers to make up for that gap, we’re seeing a lot of truckers leaving the field without replacements for them. In this graph, it can be seen that over 300,000 drivers are going to be needed to fill the gap left by retiring drivers from 2021 through 2030. Usually, there would be a fair amount of new drivers to make up for that gap, but in recent times that hasn’t been the case. There are a couple of reasons for this. The Regulated Driving Age Currently, the regulated driving age is 21. This has been the center of debate for some time, as it stunts the workforce that could be brought in. Younger potential drivers, such as high school graduates at the age of 18, are choosing to go into other career paths instead of waiting until they are 21 to enter trucking. If the driving age was lowered to 18, more students would see trucking as a viable career path and could begin their training right out of high school. When their only option is waiting three years before applying, many students are opting for careers in different trades, or college, as opposed to trucking. Pandemic Stunting the Influx of New Drivers The 2020 pandemic made a lot of drivers leave the profession, whether due to health concerns or the lack of work during shutdowns. For this same reason, many potential drivers have opted out of joining the trucking industry. With shutdowns, layoffs, and increased safety protocols causing a hassle for drivers, it’s easy to see why many have dropped out. This is only exacerbated by issues the pandemic caused for trucking schools, which were forced to take in fewer students over the past couple of years due to health concerns. The long-term effects of the pandemic are likely to stunt the influx of new drivers for the next few years. Stereotypes in the Trucking Industry Too Much Time on the Road Many people do not see trucking as a viable career because of the time spent on the road. The common image of a truck driver is someone who works jobs for upwards of a week, spending lengthy amounts of time away from home. The recent push for more work-from-home careers is not just a symptom of the pandemic – it is a sign that people want to be able to spend more time taking care of their family and daily responsibilities. The work-life balance is a topic that has been greatly discussed, and with trucking being one of the job positions most commonly seen away from home, it’s a hard sell for many individuals. However, this is just a stereotype. For many trucking companies, it’s become more important to reduce the amount of time spent on the road in one trip. This is not just for trucker safety, as long hauls can be detrimental to a trucker’s health and potentially risk accidents due to lower quality sleep, but also because of the rising growth of LTL shipping. LTL shipping, or less-than-truckload shipping, is becoming more commonplace in trucking companies. With smaller freight sizes, drivers are typically on the road for shorter periods. Many drivers, in fact, are home each night after work. Too Few Benefits This stereotype has been quickly reversed in recent years. The idea that truckers do not receive decent benefits or pay is very common, as is the idea that contractors make even less. While contractors are subject to different experiences than those who work for trucking companies, now is a better time than ever to pursue a career in trucking. In reality, drivers are making five times more than they have historically ever made, and trucking companies are offering great benefits to incentivize drivers to work for them. With the new shortage, this has only become more of a reality. Not a Viable Job for Women Women are estimated to make up only 3 to 4% of the trucking industry. There are many reasons for this, and many depend on the individual. For example, some women opt out of trucking for the reasons above – they believe there are no benefits to the job, or that they’ll be on the road away from their families for too long. However, stereotypes about the nature of the job have also pushed women away from the profession. Needing to drive manual and possess a certain amount of physical strength are outdated stereotypes about the kind of work a truck driver does. Many trucks are automatic and have enhanced safety features that increase the ease of driving. Additionally, most trucking positions do not deal directly with the freight besides hauling it. However, this statistic is likely to change soon. With common jobs such as restaurant positions becoming less stable than trucking, women are likely to reconsider their thoughts on the industry. Many companies are also offering incentives to female drivers in an effort to bridge the gender gap and recruit more drivers. How can we fix it? Erase the Older Stereotypes of Truck Driving Lower the regulated driving age from 21 to 18. When people are 18, they’re most likely transitioning to college, a trade school, or beginning a new career. They don’t think about trucking. If trucking were available when they were at a younger age, they would see that as a viable path that they could jump into more easily. There is no easy solution to getting drivers to arrive, or return, to the field. However, with recent advances in technology, increased pay, and a better environment for a diverse workforce, trucking is likely to see an increase in new drivers. We support our truckers and the trucking industry more than ever at Highway and Heavy Parts. We’re here to make your job less complicated, and with ASE-certified technicians on staff to answer any questions you may have about your truck, you can consider us your one-stop-shop for all things trucking. From diagnosis to delivery, we’re Highway and Heavy Parts!
