In the US, many companies are hopeful for the Biden Administration’s push to lower the minimum age of interstate truck drivers. Some are planning ahead.
According to Patrick McFarland, marketing director at Reno-based ITS Logistics, the company is working on a new training program providing on-the road experience and mentoring to newly minted CDL holders.
Women are Discovering Trucking
Tommy Paul, a commercial truck driving instructor at J-Tech in Florida has seen a big increase in women coming through J-Tech’s CDL Program in 2021.
“Before we’d have one female student every six months, and now we’re seeing one, two or three in every class,” he said. Paul credits the attractive pay as well as today’s equipment, with many companies moving to automatic transmissions that are easier to drive.
Military Veterans: A Reliable Source of Drivers
Companies are turning more to military veterans with truck driving experience.
“They are ideal candidates when it comes to discipline, logistics and responsibility. That makes them a great group to recruit from,” explained President and CEO of the Florida Trucking Association, Alix Miller.
ITS Logistics’ McFarland concurs. Recruiting veteran drivers is a committed strategy. CDL-holding veterans are given credit for their years of military experience; for example, if they had seven years of service, they start at the same level as other seven-year drivers at the company.
