A recent study by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has revealed some troubling news that could have a drastic effect on the future of the trucking industry.
According to their report, as older drivers continue to age and approach retirement, the industry may face a massive driver shortage due to the lack of new, younger drivers to replace them.
They have discovered that the trucking industry is currently disproportionally dependent on employees over the age of 45. The bulk of which, are expected to retire within 10 to 20 years.
The problem has been compounded by a significant drop in new drivers, under the age of 35, entering the industry.
ATRI President told Fleetowner.com:
“There’s not a lot of time between where we are now and the cliff. This industry has relied on a loyal cohort to stay behind the wheel because we as an industry still haven’t figured out how to backfill the [driver] population with younger folks.”
Keith Tuttle, founder of Motor Carrier Service, Inc. believes that if the trucking industry doesn’t begin to lure in new, younger driver, it may be the end of the industry as we know it.
“If the industry doesn’t collectively figure out how to recruit younger drivers, we may not have anyone left to haul freight in the coming decade,” he stressed. “With more and more of the nation’s freight being hauled by trucks now and in the future, this is a piece of the puzzle we have to solve.”
What solutions do you believe should be implemented in order to prevent the industry from falling over the approaching driver cliff?