Earning a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is a great career move for many reasons. One of these is the stability of driving jobs, even during times when there is a great deal of uncertainty. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, a record number of Americans are facing unemployment. Although many will be able to recover once the virus is under control, it is still a sobering reality to consider. Certain industries are at a greater risk than others. Due to the necessity of trucking, drivers remain on the roads. If you are considering a career change, now might be a great time to start looking into attending a CDL school.
Here are some facts about truck driving job security:
Driver Shortage
Qualified truck drivers have always been in high demand, far before COVID-19, and this is unlikely to change anytime soon. There is a driver shortage that continues to grow each year. Bloomberg reports that the shortage grew from 10,000 to 60,800 between 2017 and 2018, and is expected to rise to 160,000 within the decade. This is because there is a relatively large number of drivers who are close to retirement. As they leave the workforce, motor carriers are looking for new CDL holders to take their place. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates a 5% growth in trucking employment from 2018 to 2028.
Trucking Industry Growth
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) reports that trucks haul 70% of freight in our country and the industry brought in over $700 billion in revenue in 2017. In 2018, revenue rose to almost $800 billion. Because of the wide range of goods and materials that tractor-trailers haul, there is the potential for even further growth.
A Variety of Stable Career Choices
If you want to become a CDL driver, there are many opportunities that offer excellent job security, high pay, and great benefits. A lot of companies focus on over-the-road (OTR) trucking. However, this is by no means your only option after graduating from truck driving school. Local routes often allow you to be home daily or nightly and these types of drivers are also in high demand.
Truck Driving is Essential
The bottom line is that trucking is essential whether our country is running as usual or in the midst of an unprecedented situation like the COVID-19 outbreak. Trucks deliver food to grocery stores, supplies to hospitals, materials to factories, and so much more. Nearly every industry in the country relies to some degree on trucking. Individual citizens need drivers to ensure that stores are stocked and deliveries arrive on time. The importance of this work is one reason that driving jobs are likely to remain stable and secure.
How to Become a Truck Driver
If you are interested in a career in the trucking industry, you will need to earn your CDL. At Phoenix Truck Driving School, we use a combination of classroom learning and hands-on experience to give you the valuable skills you need to succeed on the road.
