Indiana Faces Truck Driver Shortages
Indiana is part of a national trend among trucking companies, which currently are finding it exceedingly difficult to hire qualified truck drivers.
According to the Indiana Motor Truck Association’s Barry Miller, the state is facing a “very significant shortage” of more than 1,200 drivers. Miller states the trucking lifestyle is one of the biggest hurdles to recruitment, as drivers are often away from home for days or even weeks.
According to Miller, the problem is not isolated to just Indiana. Instead, the issue represents a much larger shortage that is being felt nationwide. Miller states there is currently a shortage of roughly 25,000 drivers nationwide.
Indianapolis-based Celadon Group Inc., recently announced plans for a $5.3 million training center, which could create more than 180 jobs by 2016. Founder Steve Russell says he hopes to fill some of those positions with returning service members.
Miller believes the training center will also help Celadon retain drivers, which is another challenge for trucking companies.
Source: Indiana Motor Truck Association, Inside INdiana Business