Did you know that, with relatively few exceptions,
every single product you have ever purchased has at one time or another
been transported by truck? Most Americans do not realize just how
heavily our economy relies on the trucking industry. Even products that
are made from multiple elements have most likely been transported on
truck more than once before the resulting end product.
Despite
such heavy dependence, over the course of the next few years, the
trucking industry is expected to face a serious shortage in drivers.
The bulk of truck drivers will soon reach retirement age but the
trucking industry has yet to compensate by hiring new drivers to fill
the gap. In fact, the industry is expected to see a 22% increase in
jobs by the time 2010 rolls around, yet an estimated 50% increase in
freight volume over the next 20 years.
So what exactly does this
mean? The gap between the number of available truck drivers and the
demand for their services is rapidly growing bigger. Trucking companies
are offering competitive wages, benefits, and flexible schedules in
order to attract a new generation of drivers. A number of companies are
also offering incentives such as signing bonuses and free CDL training.
Experienced drivers are being lured by lucrative paychecks and more
flexible schedules, allowing them to be home more. Those interested in
team driving (such as husband and wife drivers) are often paid double
since they theoretically can deliver products quicker than just one
driver.
If you are looking for a career change with competitive
pay, consider a truck driving job with a trucking company such as Swift
Transportation, Inc. With a Swift trucking job,
you can generally pick and choose the areas you want to work in,
whether from coast to coast or more of a regional job (e.g. New
England). You also get to pick your hours and get to be your own boss,
without the restrictions of a traditional desk job.