Many people wonder why there are so few truck drivers in the United States. Many reasons have been cited, including a lack of people who want to become truckers, long waiting periods, and high costs. Perhaps one of the biggest reasons is a lack of female truck drivers. But the shortage of truck drivers is not only a problem for women. It is also a challenge for the industry to find enough qualified men to fill the open truck driver jobs.
The trucking industry isn’t the same job it was 20 years ago, when wages and hours were fixed. With deregulation and a decline in unions, wages have dwindled. Truckers still work long hours and often spend unpaid time waiting for loads. This has led to a shortage of truckers and a decrease in trucking companies.
The shortage of truck drivers is not a problem specific to the United States, although it is widespread in Europe and Asia. In a survey of 800 transport companies in 20 countries, the International Road Transport Union found that shortages were widespread. In the EU, the shortage topped 20 percent, and in China, 20 percent of positions went unfilled last year. The truck driver shortage has been a concern for industry analysts for years, and recent supply chain disruptions have made the situation even worse.
What is Causing the US Truck Driver Shortage?
The shortage of truck drivers is a major issue for the US trucking industry. According to the American Trucking Association, over 1 million new drivers will be needed over the next decade. The current driver base is composed of Baby Boomers, who are approaching retirement age. The next generation is 12 percent smaller than the current one, so there will be more open jobs than available drivers to fill them.
In order to help fill the gaps, the CDL age is being lowered to enable younger drivers to replace retired drivers. However, younger drivers are still suffering from the highest unemployment rates. The shortages are severe in different types of shipping, including full-truckload and OTR, which require long hours on the road.
One of the biggest reasons for the shortage of truck drivers is the increasing demand. Over the past two decades, the amount of freight moving across the country has risen significantly. Meanwhile, the number of truck drivers has remained around 3 million. That means that a shortage of truckers is an inevitable consequence of this growing demand.
Why are There Driver Shortages?
The trucking industry is experiencing a severe shortage of truck drivers. The annual turnover is over 90%, and nine out of 10 new truck drivers will quit within the first year of employment. The high turnover rate and poor compensation are driving the shortage. In addition to poor pay and poor benefits, the trucking industry is suffering from a bad reputation. The industry’s image as a reliable, safe, and dependable job has suffered.
A lack of truck drivers has led to supply chain problems during the holiday season. Several news outlets blamed the shortage on a lack of qualified drivers. As a result, companies are increasing their pay and benefits to attract more workers. However, the shortage continues to linger and there are currently more truck driver job openings than there are available workers who want to drive. According to the American Trucking Association, there is a gap of about 80,000 truck driver jobs. Even though the gap in hiring is smaller than the gap in the labor force, the shortage is still a significant concern.
The shortage of truck drivers isn’t just an American issue. Similar shortages exist in Europe and China, where trucks haul comparable amounts of goods. According to the International Road Transport Union, 20 percent of transport companies in these regions faced shortages last year. This shortage has been a long-time worry for trucking industry analysts, but the recent pandemic has made the problem more acute.
Is 2022 a Good Year to Get into Trucking?
In addition to increasing consumer spending, 2022 will also see the industry’s fuel costs increase sharply. While the immediate effects are unclear, this can affect the industry’s growth. While there is a large demand for trucks and drivers, fuel costs are impacting the industry’s profitability. As a result, many trucking companies will pass on the costs to their customers.
Despite this recent challenge, trucking remains a foundational element of the American economy. Its role in the supply chain is essential, and commercial trucks carry 72.5% of all U.S. freight, according to the Statistical Service. Despite the challenges faced, trucking’s prospects for the year ahead are bright. Increased productivity and profitability will fuel innovation and growth in the industry.
According to the American Trucking Association, freight tonnage and revenue will increase by 24 percent and 67 percent, respectively. Although this will be good news for drivers and carriers, it may also create more competition in the trucking industry. As such, the adoption of time-saving technology is likely to increase.
How Long Will Truck Drivers Be Needed?
There are two competing answers to the question, “How long will there be no truck drivers?” One is that the trucking industry is already overfilled and will be for some time. The other is that the shortage will depend on incentives and the lifestyle of the profession. According to economist Steve Viscelli of the University of Pennsylvania, there are enough qualified truck drivers to fill the job market. The problem is that truck drivers are often lured into the industry by low pay and unattractive working conditions. In fact, trucking companies are currently reporting a shortage of drivers in 2019.
The shortage has affected the trucking industry’s supply chain. The demand for trucking dipped as the economy went into recession, and many truckers lost their jobs. The shortage has also caused some supply chains to slow down. As a result, the industry may have to reconsider its compensation and benefits.
Is There Still a Driver Shortage 2022?
The trucking industry is still struggling to find new drivers, but it is starting to pay higher wages and offering better working conditions. While this has helped, it isn’t enough to solve the issue. In 2021 and 2022, the industry will have to find new ways to attract newcomers and address the growing driver shortage.
The shortage is largely caused by the aging workforce and difficult work conditions in trucking. Currently, 57% of the commercial driving workforce is over the age of 45, and almost a quarter of the current commercial drivers will be eligible to retire in the next decade. This has made the issue of hiring new drivers an even bigger concern, and a recent survey found that 72% of employers reported difficulty finding qualified candidates. Attracting new drivers is not an easy task, and companies need to take into account their unique set of preferences and interests.
Drivers also are increasingly older, and some prefer to be independent contractors. Many good drivers can thrive in this role. One of the causes for the shortage is a lack of younger recruits, especially women. Only 7 percent of truck drivers are women, and the industry has to attract more women. The DRIVE Safe Act apprenticeship program and the task force are aimed at increasing the number of women in the industry.
When Did the Truck Driver Shortage Start?
The trucking industry has long warned about a truck driver shortage, but the problem has only recently become a pressing concern. The American Trucking Association, which represents the biggest trucking companies in the United States, has been warning about a shortage of drivers since 2005, but the problem has become particularly ominous in the middle of a global supply chain crisis. The shortage has been mentioned in news stories about the global economic slowdown, and executives of publicly traded companies have cited the “driver shortage” in 45 investor calls in the last month alone.
The trucking industry has struggled to attract new workers, and many drivers are leaving the industry due to the lack of employment opportunities. The industry has responded by offering significant salary increases, but this has not been enough to reverse the driver shortage. Many drivers have even reduced their working hours. This means that the industry needs to improve the working conditions of its truckers in order to attract newcomers.
How Long Will the HGV Driver Shortage Last?
The HGV driver shortage will likely last at least a year. In addition to causing supply chain disruption, it also threatens to put staffing levels at risk. The issue has been highlighted by industry leaders, who have given evidence to the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee. A lack of drivers has led to a number of measures to address the issue. These include increasing funding for apprenticeships, improving working conditions and pay increases.
The Government is also investing in a series of skills boot camps across the UK. They will provide up to 5,000 people with free training courses over 16 weeks. It has also introduced new apprenticeship schemes aimed at the younger generation. The government also granted temporary visas to over 5,000 EU truck drivers before Christmas last year.
The HGV driver shortage is having a negative impact on supply chains across the UK. The shortage is affecting bin collections and wholesale food delivery. Some businesses have begun offering incentives to attract HGV drivers, including bonuses. Retailers have also warned of potential disruption as Christmas approaches.
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