Minnesota Trucking Association President John Hausladen says a shortage of truck drivers has been building for many years. “We are seeing a shortage of drivers that pre-dates the pandemic. There are many great people in this industry, but the average drivers are males in their mid-50s. As those people get closer to retirement, they’re dropping out. We haven’t been able to fill the pipeline as fast as we’d like.” Hausladen thinks the pilot program included in the Federal Highway Bill will help. “This bill created a pilot for up to 3,000 men and women to get started. The Biden administration put forward an action plan and one of those actions is an apprenticeship program.” According to Hausladen, the trucking industry is facing a shortage of 80,000 truck drivers. Current trends indicate that number could be 160,000 by 2030.
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