The shortage of commercial truck drivers, especially those in the early stages of their career, continues to grow and it’s a problem that is plaguing both the United States and Canada.
The shortage of young drivers has been well documented in America but now the Canadian truck industry is reporting that its carriers are also having a hard time finding enough truck drivers to meet demand.
A new Conference Board of Canada report concludes that the gap between the supply of drivers and the demand for them – estimated at 25,000 by 2020 – could be costly to the Canadian economy.
“The food we eat, the goods that we enjoy and even the homes we live in are in large part delivered by trucks,” said Vijay Gill, principal research associate with the CBC. “The inability to meet a huge demand for drivers could be costly for the trucking industry, consumer goods and the Canadian economy.”
Like America, commercial trucks move the majority of goods in Canada and the nation’s largest trading partner is the United States. Growth in manufacturing, retail and wholesale trade industries across North America has led to an increase demand for commercial truck services and that demand is expected to grow substantially over the next several years.
Like Canada, America’s truck industry is seeing thousands of drivers enter retirement each year and that number is expected to grow as the average age of today’s professional truck driver is well over 50. That is why many truck carriers are seeking younger drivers who are willing to start a new career in one of the fastest growing job sectors in America. However, those carriers are looking for a new generation of drivers with professional training from a respected CDL training program.
A career as a commercial truck driver can be a great fit for jobseekers of any age, but it is an especially promising career for younger workers, especially those that receive professional training from a respected program like Diesel Driving Academy. Diesel Driving Academy has a staff of phenomenal instructors, and recruiters are working with students to help them find the best truck driving job after they compete the CDL program. Many students completing the CDL training program at DDA are finding multiple job opportunities because the demand for new drivers is so high.
At Diesel Driving Academy, students are being prepared for a bright and long-term career as a professional truck driver. The demand for drivers is high, but the majority of carriers are looking for drivers with experience and professional CDL training, and Diesel Driving Academy is helping to create the next generation of American truck drivers.