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“Imagine the holidays without the delivery of food or presents!” December 4, 2015, Washington, DC – This month the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 7.9 million Americans are unemployed, while at the same time 5.5 million jobs remain unfilled in America. This crisis exists because employers demand “job ready” employees and prospective employees are simply not able to bridge the skills gap without appropriate education and training.  APSCU’s first look at the “Shortage of Skills” in America revolves around transportation. As our nation prepares for the holiday season, it is only appropriate that we raise the potential “Shortage of Skills” emerging in the truck driving industry. “Unless we educate and train more truck drivers, the nation will face a shortage of qualified drivers and we’ll be unable to deliver the food and the presents that make our holidays happen,” said Steve Gunderson, President and CEO of the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities. Over the past decade, the supply of truck drivers in America has failed to keep up with the increasing amount of freight. As Bob Costello, chief economist at American Trucking Associations, recently told US News, “We're short 35,000 to 40,000 [drivers] as of 2014. I haven't quantified it yet, but I would not be surprised if that's going to average 50,000 or more this year.” Truck drivers play a crucial role in the American economy, and with the size of freight expected to expand nearly 29% by 2026, the need for drivers is more important than ever. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 11% increase in jobs by 2022. With fewer drivers and more weight to lug around since the Great Recession, America's trucking industry faces a significant driver shortage. Because of their emphasis on skills-based education, private sector institutions will be essential in meeting this need. According to the Commercial Vehicle Training Association, there exist over 180 schools in 40 states equipped to meet this need. “The current demand for professional truck drivers is huge. Most of our students will have three to five job offers before graduation.” said Barry Busada of Diesel Driving Academy in Shreveport, Louisiana. “The programs do more than equip graduates with a commercial driver’s license. We recruit, screen and train them in the class room, on the training concourse, and behind the wheel, and placing them as entry-level truck drivers earning $38,000-$45,000 average in their first year.” said Harry Kowalchyk of National Tractor Trailer School in Liverpool, N.Y. About Shortage of Skills (SoS) Each month APSCU will profile America’s “Shortage of Skills” (SoS) in one key industry. We will examine industries that are critical to America’s economic advancement and explain how a well-educated and well-trained workforce can address these issues. About The Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities (APSCU) The Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities (APSCU) is a membership organization of accredited institutions of higher education that provide postsecondary education with a career focus. APSCU’s work supports thousands of campuses that educate millions of students. Comments are closed.
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