It sometimes feels like a broken record addressing the importance and the need to boost trucking jobs, but it is true – the need to boost trucking jobs is ever so important. Truck drivers are a very important part of the economy and they “carry the nation literally on their backs,” President Biden said on Monday during an event at the White House discussing the Trucking Action plan and addressing the need to boost trucking jobs.
During his speech on Monday, the President made note that around 70% of all goods in the U.S. are moved by truckers – this truly shows how important truckers are to the U.S. However, the average trucker pay have dropped close to 30% in inflation-adjusted dollars since 1978, Reuters reported.
What is being done?
Since 2021, the plan to increase the number of truck drivers has rose significantly as more commercial driver licenses (CDL) have been made available in the first two months of this year, compared to last year, Reuters reports. Mainly in part of the U.S. Department of Transportation cutting red tape, which has sped up the ability for states to issue new CDLs. FleetOwner says these apprenticeships could result in 10,000+ additional apprenticeships.
Recently, 100 major employers have launched apprentice programs to help train new drivers, which has surged the hiring of truck drivers and CDL’s issued, “what that all adds up to is a strong foundation for the work ahead,” the President stated.
There is also an initiative that will be focusing on connecting veterans to trucking careers, an initiative that former Representative Patrick Murphy is at the forefront of. Murphy says the task force is “about opportunity, it’s about the future of America, it’s about making sure America gets back to work,” The Hill reports.
Truck parking is something of great importance for those in the industry. Within the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), 5 programs in states will be provided funded to be used when addressing the truck parking needs. States will also be required to include an analysis of their truck parking needs and laying the foundation to understand local needs, Freightwaves reports.
Within the bipartisan infrastructure law, fixing roads and bridges throughout the U.S. is one of the major priorities. “Infrastructure is our workplace,” is what one trucker told Pete Buttigieg, the Secretary of Transportation. Which when you think about it, is a very accurate statement as everyone who works needs to have a workplace that is safe and efficient.
Moving Forward
It will be interesting to follow along and see the progress that occurs with this trucking Bill and more when it comes to improving the truck driving industry. We will continue to provide updates on the latest in the trucking industry and more, throughout the year and beyond. If you have any questions or comments regarding this topic, or anything else please don’t hesitate to contact our team today!
Recent Comments