U.S. Labor Shortage: Truck Drivers
U.S. Labor Shortage: Truck Drivers
In this edition of HIP’s U.S. Workforce Labor Shortage series, we wanted to delve into what the labor statistics reveal for female drivers in nontraditional occupations like trucking.
As a workforce development thought partner, HIP works with agencies to support and develop strategic thinking and innovative work solutions. The American Trucking Association (ATA) has claimed that there has been a labor shortage since the 1980s. Roughly, 7.13 percent of CDL (Commercial Driver Licensed) were female truck drivers in 2017, 7.89 percent in 2018, and now in 2022, according to Womenintrucking.org, the female workforce shows 13.7% and climbing.
Efforts to Increase Recruitment and Benefits to Women
“When women tell me they are thinking about trucking for a career, I tell them to do it, they won’t regret it,” says Deb LaBree, owner-operator of Castle Transport LLC, based in Joplin, Missouri. Before her career in trucking, she was a cosmetologist. She told Women in Trucking.org about how she started her business when a career change became necessary; now, she shares her story to encourage other women to do the same.
To draw more recruitment to the industry, Women in Trucking will be hosting, Accelerate! Conference and Expo, In-Person: Nov. 5-8, 2023 in Dallas, TX, Virtual: Dec. 6-7, 2023.
Women’s Bureau
The Women’s Bureau has been advocating for women since 1920. One of their missions is to serve underrepresented and low-income women and promote registered apprenticeship programs in non-traditional occupations, like trucking, for women. Learn more about how WANTO (Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations) expands pathways for women to enter and lead in all industries. Watch how some women view their experience: CNBC News clip from women in trucking.
Course Correction
· In an address to support women in the workforce and non-traditional occupations for women, Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, at an event in Philadelphia, provided guidance to help today’s, working family needs.
· Follow up on the 90-day Trucking Challenge that happened earlier this year.
· Get connected to a trucking intermediary and learn more about trucking associations, begin a registered apprenticeship program at your workplace, and request program technical assistance at FastPort Apprenticeship.
We encourage industry to join Registered Apprenticeship Programs to establish career pathways that include innovative opportunities to fill positions that are critical to our nation’s labor force.